01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Set along a street in Nishi-Asakusa, Janbara is a familiar stop for diners looking for a hearty bowl of noodles. The menu covers multiple broth styles, including Tokyo soy sauce tonkotsu, Kyushu tonkotsu, miso, and thickened starchy shoyu, giving plenty of choice to suit the day's craving.
The signature soy-sauce-based ramen features a broth enriched with seabura pork back fat, lending a gentle sweetness that balances well against generous handfuls of refreshing spring onions. By contrast, the Kyushu tonkotsu brings thin noodles together with a rich, comforting cloudy white paitan broth. For something lighter, the menu also includes Asakusa Light Ramen, served in a clean, clarified broth.
Among the toppings, the thick-cut, tender stewed pork kakuni stands out. It pulls apart easily with chopsticks, whether enjoyed steeped in broth in the Kakuni Shoyu Ramen or Kakuni Tonkotsu Ramen, or ordered as a standalone dish to accompany drinks. With pan-fried gyoza, kimchi platters, bottled beers, and highballs on offer, stopping by for an easy evening drink before finishing with noodles feels natural.
Complimentary white rice or boiled gyoza may be offered during lunch hours, keeping meals substantial throughout the day. Payment is cash only and reservations are not accepted, making it an unpretentious counter when you simply want a casual, filling bowl.
