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Nagi Ramen’s Golden Gai location has got to be one of the tiniest restaurants I’ve ever eaten at. The area is located in Shinjuku, Tokyo and is made up of several narrow alleyways which contains over 200 bars and restaurants. It’s a shockingly large number when you take into consideration how small Golden Gai is – literally a few short blocks.

Nagi's Golden Gai location

Nagi’s Golden Gai location

Prior to the 1960’s, Golden Gai was known for prostitution before it became illegal. The area is now a popular drinking area, packed with tiny bars, most of which only fit a handful of people. Nagi is no different.

The tiny interior

The tiny interior

Nagi is located on the second floor. You walk up an extremely narrow staircase, purchase a ticket for your bowl of ramen from the vending machine and grab a seat. They’re often quite busy, so you’d likely be waiting in line downstairs in the alley before they call you up. We went around 11am for an early lunch and we were seated immediately.

Order your ramen from the vending machine

Order your ramen from the vending machine

The space only fits 10 or so people at a counter. There’s virtually no space to fit anything or anyone else. To say it was cramped would be an understatement. But the bowl of ramen was well worth it!

Nagi has several locations in Tokyo and has also opened up in Taiwan and the Philippines. They specialize in Niboshi Ramen which uses a broth made with dried sardines. According to their website, the broth is a “uniquely blended super deep soup more than 20 of niboshi that was carefully selected from all over Japan.”

Niboshi Ramen

Niboshi Ramen

If you don’t like fishy flavours, I suggest you avoid Nagi. But I really loved it. The intense broth was incredibly comforting and had a slight bitterness to it from the sardines. It was so unique!

As for the noodles, they also didn’t disappoint – thick and springy with just the right amount of chew. Toppings here cost extra. I added an egg and pork (both of which cost extra). The egg was cooked to perfection and the pork was tasty but certainly not as memorable as the broth or noodles.

Niboshi Ramen

Niboshi Ramen

Despite the tight quarters, we loved our meal at Nagi. It just adds to the overall experience, right? If you stumble upon a Nagi ramen joint, their unique niboshi ramen is well worth a try.

At a glance:

  • Specializing in niboshi ramen (broth made from dried sardines)
  • Several locations in Tokyo, Taiwan and Philippines
  • We visited the Golden Gai (Shinjuku) location in Tokyo
  • One of the tiniest restaurants I’ve eaten at
  • Loved the intense broth; definitely worth a try

Ratings (out of 5):

  • Food: 4 stars
  • Service: 3 stars
  • Atmosphere: 2 stars


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