A Famous Aomori Niboshi Ramen Shop Comes to Tokyo
Hirakoya is a well-known niboshi ramen shop from Aomori, where it has built a strong local following.
Its Tokyo Ramen Street location is the restaurant’s first permanent shop outside Aomori.
The soup is made using four different types of dried sardines, prepared through a three-stage simmering process to bring out a strong and distinctive niboshi flavor.
For anyone interested in experiencing a very fish-forward style of Japanese ramen, Hirakoya offers something quite different from tonkotsu or chicken-based ramen.
▶ Official Hirakoya Tokyo Station Page
Check the official Tokyo Station First Avenue page for the latest menu, hours and store information.
グループリンク津軽煮干 ひらこ屋
Hirakoya Tokyo Station
Bacal's Rating
★★☆☆☆ 2.0 / 5
Store Information
Address :
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
Tokyo Station First Avenue B1F, Tokyo Ramen Street
Opening Hours :
Daily
10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Last Order: 10:00 PM
*Opening hours may change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Access :
Located inside Tokyo Ramen Street on B1F of Tokyo Station First Avenue.
From the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station, exit the ticket gates and head downstairs to Tokyo Ramen Street.
▸ Ordering Tip
Purchase your meal ticket from the ticket machine before entering the restaurant.
If there is a line, staff may guide you on when to purchase your ticket.
▶ What I Tried
Koikuchi Niboshi Ramen | こいくち煮干
Personally, I found the soup almost too light for my taste.
The niboshi flavor is very dominant, while I could hardly notice the kind of pork or chicken richness that I usually enjoy in ramen.
Because of that, the overall flavor felt a little too delicate and one-dimensional for me.
If you prefer a clean, fish-forward soup and really want to enjoy the flavor of niboshi itself, this style may suit you very well.
Personally, though, I was looking for more depth and richness, so it did not quite satisfy me.
▶ Final Thoughts
Hirakoya is a very distinctive choice inside Tokyo Ramen Street.
If you love strong niboshi flavor and prefer ramen without a heavy pork-bone or chicken character, this may be exactly the kind of bowl you are looking for.
On the other hand, if you usually prefer richer animal-based soups, the flavor may feel quite light.
Either way, it is an interesting opportunity to try a style of ramen strongly associated with Aomori without leaving Tokyo Station.
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