⚠️ Note: Late-Night Crowds & Sold-Out Soup
This article is a visit report for Torisoba Mitaha, a hugely popular ramen shop located in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district.
Because of the area’s nightlife, weekend evenings and late-night to early-morning hours get extremely crowded with people looking for a “final bowl” after drinking.
If you want to enter smoothly, aim for an earlier dinner time, and check their social media beforehand—sometimes they close early when the soup runs out.
Quick Ramen Notes
- Location: Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo (Kabukicho area)
- Time: Evening to late night
- Stay: About 30–40 minutes
- With: Solo or with a friend
How I Got There
I walked from JR Shinjuku Station’s East Exit.
Passing through Kabukicho’s main street—home to Don Quijote and TOHO Cinemas with the Godzilla head—you enter a lively area near Kuyakusho-dori.
It’s also walkable from Seibu-Shinjuku Station and Shinjuku-Sanchome Station, making it perfect for a post-drinking stop in Shinjuku.
📌 Budget & Access
* About 6 minutes on foot from JR Shinjuku East Exit; about 4 minutes from Seibu-Shinjuku Station
Ramen price range: ¥1,000–¥1,500
Check official sources for the latest hours (especially late-night/early-morning) and closed days.
What Kind of Shop Is Mitaha?
Mitaha is a chicken‑based ramen specialty shop located right in the heart of lively Kabukicho.
Their two main pillars are the thick, potage‑like rich chicken paitan, and the clear, clean‑tasting light chicken chintan.
Both are beloved as the “ultimate last bowl” for people enjoying a night out in Kabukicho.
Astonishing Potage-Like Richness — Collagen-Packed Chicken Paitan
I bought my ticket from the vending machine and ordered their signature rich chicken paitan.
The moment the bowl arrived, a sweet, savory aroma of concentrated chicken filled the air.
One sip of the soup immediately surprises you with its potage-like texture.
Made by simmering a huge amount of chicken for hours, the broth is thick, silky, and full of collagen.
Despite its richness, it has no unpleasant smell or heaviness, making it strangely easy to drink—even after alcohol.
Tender Chicken Chashu & Clever Flavor Tweaks
The toppings are just as impressive as the soup.
The low‑temperature cooked chicken chashu is unbelievably tender and moist, with zero dryness.
Coating it with the rich soup creates a moment of pure bliss.
The crisp texture of the purple onion adds a refreshing contrast.
In the second half of the bowl, you should absolutely try the flavor tweaks—black pepper, or the lemon served on the side.
The acidity and spice sharpen the rich chicken broth, making it bright and refreshing.
I finished the entire bowl without a hint of fatigue.
Visiting in 2026
As of 2026, Mitaha remains one of Kabukicho’s most reliable and beloved chicken ramen spots.
- Hours: Open from lunchtime until the next morning (hours may vary by season)
- Crowd Tips: After midnight (especially after izakayas close), crowds peak. Early dinner or slightly shifted times are smoother.
- Style: After enjoying the rich paitan, adding rice to the remaining soup to make a “risotto-style” finish is a popular insider move.
Notes for Visitors
- Getting Around: From Shinjuku Station, you can walk through the underground mall Subnade and exit near the ward office area—great for avoiding rain and crowds.
- Best Part: A chicken paitan so rich your lips feel sticky, yet perfectly balanced and never too heavy.
- Good to Know:
- Choose paitan when you want something rich, or chintan when you want a clean, refreshing finish—perfect for matching your condition that day.
- Since the shop is tucked inside Kabukicho, first-time visitors might get slightly lost. Have your map app ready.
Summary
Kabukicho is a fierce battleground for ramen, but few shops deliver chicken this refined—from rich to light styles.
After a night of drinking and fun in Shinjuku, this bowl warms both body and soul.
If you visit Kabukicho, let yourself sink into the deep, comforting umami of Mitaha’s chicken ramen.
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