Tabelog ratingMedika Soba Kingyo (メヂカそば 吟魚) has earned a devoted following for its singular focus on fish-based ramen broth, which changes daily. The offering is announced by the colour of the noren curtain at the door: red signifies a Mejika broth made from soudabushi (frigate mackerel), while white indicates a niboshi (dried sardine) base. Both are complex, built from multiple dried fish and shellfish, and served with thin, straight noodles and a signature trio of char-siu toppings: roast duck, chicken breast, and pork.
Reviewers almost universally praise the soup for its deep, concentrated umami, clean finish, and excellent balance. The high-quality toppings, especially the tender duck and chicken, are consistently singled out for praise. Many diners also order the popular Kamatama Chuka, a small second bowl of hot noodles mixed with raw egg and condiments, as a follow-up course. Service is noted as friendly and patient, including towards non-Japanese-speaking guests.
The main drawbacks are practical. With only seven counter seats, long queues are the norm, and turnover can be slow as each bowl is prepared individually. Popular items, particularly the 'Special' (特中華) bowl with extra toppings, often sell out before the 3:00 PM closing time. A few diners have found the soup a little salty for their taste or the noodles cooked softer than they prefer.
A typical lunch costs between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999. Reviewers recently paid around ¥1,090–¥1,300 for the Special Chuka ramen, and ¥490–¥500 for the add-on Kamatama Chuka. Given the quality of the ingredients, most consider it exceptional value and well worth a special trip. Portions are modest, so consider adding a side like rice with raw egg (卵かけご飯, ≈¥350) if you're very hungry.
- Getting There: The shop is a 4-minute walk from Manganji Station on the Tama Monorail line.
- Booking: Walk-in only; reservations are not accepted. Expect to queue for 20–60 minutes or more. Arrive early, as the soup often sells out. Please line up only after your entire party has arrived.
- Payment: Cash only. You will need to purchase a ticket from a machine upon entry, which accepts coins and ¥1,000 bills.
- Seating: There are just 7 seats at the counter.
- Children: Children are welcome.
- Parking: One dedicated parking space is available nearby, but using a paid lot is recommended. Street parking is prohibited.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
