Think you know udon? Think again. Inaniwa udon specialist Tenchaya Nanakura in Shinbashi serves up thin, chewy eminently slurp-able wheat noodles that’ll convert even the most ardent haters to udon evangelists.
Nanakura - image © Florentyna Leow
Whether it’s the thick, chewy Sanuki-style wheat noodles or thick, soft style favored in cities like Fukuoka, the defining characteristic of udon is its thickness. But there’s a lesser-known regional style of wheat noodles known as Inaniwa udon. Hailing from Akita prefecture, these noodles are thin, flat, and deliciously chewy. Best of all, you can try them right here in Tokyo.
Nanakura - image © Florentyna Leow
Tenchaya Nanakura, a small shop on the second floor of a retro-looking building near Shinbashi Station, serves Inaniwa udon at lunch to queues of hungry office workers. It’s great for indecisive folks, because you have a choice of cold Inaniwa udon, or the same with a mini seafood bowl. That’s it.
The chicken and duck-based dipping sauce that comes with the cold udon is thick and rich with sesame, with a little zip from some onion and myōga ginger. If you’re hungry, get a seafood rice bowl to go with your noodles. We like the kaisen chirashi don, or mixed seafood rice bowl.
For more Tokyo udon choices, see our Best Udon in Tokyo page.
English name:
Tenchaya Nanakura
Japanese name:
天茶屋 七蔵
English address:
2F Shimbashi Ekimae 1st bldg., 2-20-15 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0004
Japanese address:
〒105-0004 東京都港区新橋2-20-15 新橋駅前ビル1号館2F
Opening hours:
11:20am-2:10pm
Closed Saturday, Sunday and national holidays
Price:
Non-smoking section:
Completely Non-Smoking
Reservations:
No Reservations
Nearest Transport:
Train: 1-minute walk from the Shiodome exit of Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote line.
Telephone:
+81-3-3571-5012
Website:
Official website (Japanese)
Customer Reviews:
:: Read customer reviews of Tenchaya Nanakura on TripAdvisor.
Near To Here:
Tenchaya Nanakura is located in Tokyo's Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho and Shinagawa district. See our complete list of things to do in Tokyo's Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho and Shinagawa district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
More Tokyo Restaurant Recommendations:
See all udon restaurants we recommend on our Best Udon in Tokyo page and get the complete list for all cuisines on our Best Tokyo Restaurants page.
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