Chuka Soba Uezu: Rich Tsukemen with Artisanal Pork

Opened by a chef who trained at the legendary Chuka Soba Tomita, Chuka Soba Uezu (中華蕎麦うゑず) has become a destination in its own right, consistently ranked among the best ramen shops in eastern Japan. The main event is the tsukemen, featuring extremely thick, chewy house-made noodles served alongside a dark, viscous dipping broth of pork bone and fish (tonkotsu gyokai) that clings to every strand.

Reviewers almost universally praise the signature 濃厚豚骨魚介つけ麺 (rich pork-and-fish tsukemen). The quality of the noodles is a constant highlight, as is the celebrated 桃源焼豚 (Tougen chashu pork), which is sourced from the South Alps and served in multiple preparations—charred, low-temperature cooked, and rolled. Guests also appreciate the clean, careful presentation and the well-timed serving of hot soup-wari (broth for thinning the dipping soup) at the end of the meal, often with a touch of yuzu.

The shop's popularity means there are practical challenges. The most common complaint is the long queue, with waits of 30 to 90 minutes being typical. Parking is very limited, and the ticket-machine system for ordering can be confusing for first-time visitors. A few diners find the powerful broth overly sweet or salty for their taste, but for most, the quality outweighs these issues.

Expect to pay around ¥1,300–¥1,400 for a regular bowl of tsukemen, or ¥1,450–¥1,550 for a large portion. A side order of the full range of Tougen chashu pork with a large shumai dumpling costs about ¥1,100. Most visitors agree the prices are fair for the high-quality ingredients, making it excellent value for tsukemen aficionados.

• Getting There: The restaurant is in Showa, Yamanashi. From Kofu Station, take a Yamanashi Kotsu bus (lines 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, or 49) to the "Tokuyou" stop; it's a 7-minute walk from there.
• Booking: Walk-ins are standard, but be prepared for a long queue (often 30–90 minutes). Arrive early.
• Seating: There are only 12 counter seats.
• Payment: Cash was historically required. PayPay (QR code) is now accepted, but credit cards and other electronic money are not. It's wise to bring cash.
• Parking: Very limited. There are three spaces in front of the shop and a few more in a designated nearby lot. Parking elsewhere is prohibited.
• Rules: The staff manage a strict but polite system. Wait for instructions before buying your meal ticket from the machine. Unsolicited filming is discouraged.
• Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.