Tabelog ratingChuka Soba Efu (中華そば 笑歩) is a small ramen shop whose owner trained at Takano, a landmark of Tokyo ramen. The noodles are made in-house from a whole-wheat blend, and regulars say the owner adjusts the flour and water to the season, so many eat a few strands plain before touching the broth. The pork comes from the butcher directly opposite and is served two ways: rolled belly and loin. The shop has appeared in Tabelog's ramen "Tabelog 100" every year from 2021 to 2025.
Almost every review praises the noodles, which are springy with a clean bite. The signature chuka soba is a clear soy-based ramen built on Hinai chicken, niboshi (dried sardines) and dried fish flakes. Fans call it balanced and nostalgic, and many finish the broth. Other favourites are the shio soba with Aguni salt, yuzu and onion, the tsukesoba (dipping noodles) with a kelp-rich broth for diluting at the end, a spicy sesame soba with sansho pepper, and the newer ginger soba. The staff are repeatedly praised for managing the queue, handing out barley tea and lending parasols in summer.
The main complaint is the queue. Some find the tokusei (deluxe) bowls expensive for what is mostly extra pork, and opinions split on the meat: the loin can be firm, the belly fatty. One reviewer found the noodle portion small, and a couple felt the flavour was well made but short on individuality.
The shop serves lunch only, with a typical spend of ¥1,000–1,999; there is no dinner service. Reviewers in 2024–2026 paid around ¥920–1,050 for chuka soba and ¥1,270–1,450 for the tokusei version, ¥950–1,000 for shio soba, ¥1,150 for ginger soba and ¥1,600 for tokusei spicy tsukesoba. A seasoned egg was about ¥150, a large portion ¥150 and a bottle of beer ¥550. The standard bowls are widely seen as careful, top-tier ramen for around ¥1,000. The deluxe versions divide opinion on value.
- Getting there: 10 minutes' walk (about 670 m) from Tsunashima Station, West Exit, partly through a residential area.
- Booking: reservations are not taken. Join the queue, which is usually 15–55 minutes. On weekends the shop often opens early, around 10:50.
- Payment: cash only at a ticket machine with photos of the bowls. Credit cards, electronic money and QR payments are not accepted. Staff tell you when to buy your ticket while you wait.
- Seats: 8 counter seats, no private rooms. Not suited to groups.
- Children: school-age children are welcome.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Parking: none.
- Hours: closes when the soup runs out. Closed Tuesdays, sometimes Wednesdays too, so check the shop's X account before going.
- Language: all reviews are in Japanese, and there is no information on English support.