みんみん Min-Min: three musketeers

How on earth is the combination of ramen, chahan (fried rice) and gyoza (fried dumplings) so good? Flawless, even? Min-Min is one shop where you can enjoy all three musketeers.

Kichijoji has a reputation for being upscale and crowded, especially on the weekend, but their famous narrow alleyways called Harmonica Yokocho is packed full of little bars and dens where fanciness is a sin. The shop of the hour has been at this location for over 40 years. It's a narrow little place, with the typical red upholstery of Showa-era shops, and it's always packed by regulars and locals.

We shared a ramen, gyoza, and their specialty clam fried rice. Mixing in clams with fried rice is different. The rice has a greasy, shiny hue that practically invites large bites. The gyoza are also big. The skin is thick and chewy, but the insides soft and juicy. Female readers will probably be full just ordering a plate of gyoza!

Gyoza (420yen)

Finally, the ramen. This is a no-frills, classic chuka soba. Very simple-looking, with a very simple taste.

Ramen (700yen)

It's not great, but it's nourishing in the way these cafeteria-like bowls typically are.

If I were a salaryman, I'm sure I'd visit Min-Min pretty often after work to eat their ramen-gyoza-fried rice trifecta, and wash it down with a few beers.

Tokyo, Musashino-shi, Kichijoji Honcho 1-1-9
Closest stn: Kichijoji

Open from 11am-9pm

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