Tabelog ratingKomugi Soba Ike (小麦そば 池) is run by a former apprentice of Tokyo's celebrated Kuroki. The training shows: the owner works an immaculate open kitchen with care closer to kaiseki than to a typical ramen shop, wiping it down after every step. Noodles are made in-house, either thin or hand-rubbed (temomi, wavy and chewy). The toppings go well beyond the usual: three kinds of chashu (low-temperature pork, roast duck and grilled chicken), plump shrimp wonton, simmered daikon and a sweet-sour mini tomato. The shop was selected for Tabelog's Ramen EAST "Tabelog 100" in 2024.
The bowl to order is the shio soba, a clear, golden broth of chicken and dried fish that many reviewers drank to the last drop. The tender chashu and the shrimp wonton are praised again and again. The steamed shumai, juicy and gingery, are recommended almost universally. Reviewers also mention the bright, clean room and the gentle staff.
Not everything works for everyone. Several reviewers found the hand-rubbed noodles too soft. Some thought the shio too light, while others found the shoyu very salty. A few felt the price was high for ramen. One diner asked for extra broth to soften a salty bowl, was first refused, and was then told it would cost ¥100.
Reviewers in 2025–2026 paid around ¥1,600 for the special shio soba with all toppings, ¥1,350 for a plain shoyu soba and ¥1,700 for the special shoyu. Hand-rubbed noodles added ¥50 and a large portion ¥200. Two shumai cost ¥340–400, pork rice ¥300 and a Heartland beer ¥750. Lunch and dinner both typically come to ¥1,000–2,000 per person.
Most reviewers consider it good value. Portions are generous, the toppings are lavish, and the quality justifies paying a little above ordinary ramen prices. A minority of Japanese diners rated cost-performance lower.
- Getting there: about 350 m, or a 5-minute walk, from JR Matsumoto Station. The shop is on the ground floor (1F) of the Inukai Building.
- Booking: reservations are not accepted, so walk in and queue. Expect 10 or more people at opening (11:00 and 18:00), though the line moves quickly.
- Ordering: buy a ticket at the machine before being seated. The machine has English, and queuing instructions are posted in English.
- Payment: cash only. Credit cards, electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Hours: closing days are not fixed, so check the shop's social media before going. Reviewers report Monday closures. The shio often sells out by early afternoon, especially on Sundays.
- Seating: 14 seats, with 10 at the counter and one table for four. There are no private rooms.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Parking: none, but there are many paid car parks nearby.
