Kirimugiya Jinroku: Bib Gourmand Bliss, Served Cold or Hot
Kirimugiya Jinroku: Bib Gourmand Bliss, Served Cold or Hot
It’s located about a 2 to 3-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi subway line. Although it’s close to Shinjuku Ni-chome, a prominent gay district in Japan, it’s not limited to people with those interests.
Reservations are not necessary (although they might not be accepted), but if you can’t be seated immediately, you’ll need an admission ticket. Entry times are scheduled in 30-minute intervals. If you ask the staff, they’ll provide you with a handwritten admission ticket indicating your entry time.
I went there on a Sunday around 13:55 and received an admission ticket for the 14:30-15:00 time slot. However, while I was lingering in front of the store, it seems there was a cancellation for the earlier time slot, so I was able to enter around 14:05.
As it’s a popular spot featured in Bib Gourmand, it’s best to avoid the lunch rush between 12:00 and 13:00. At other times, you might be able to get in after waiting for about 30 minutes to an hour, from my impression.
- Oyako Ten Bukkake Udon: JPY 1,100 (tax included)
- Yasai Ten Bukkake Udon: JPY 1,050 (tax included)
The interior of the restaurant has a counter with 10 seats and 5 tables with 2 seats each, so the maximum group size is 4 people. I’m not sure about evenings, but during lunch, lingering for an extended period felt like it might go against the etiquette.
The menu is available in three languages: Japanese, English, and Korean. If you don’t look like a Japanese speaker, they’ll likely give you the English menu from the start. If you ask, they can provide you with the Korean menu as well. Having these menus available seemed to allow the staff to provide efficient service to foreign customers without spending too much time explaining.
There are no special rules for ordering; simply choose from the menu and communicate your selection verbally.
For first-timers, the “Oyako Ten Bukkake Udon” is recommended. The term ‘oyako’ refers to the combination of chicken and egg tempura.
The udon that was served after about a 10-minute wait wasn’t excessively chewy and was easy to eat. Pour the sesame and ginger condiments onto the udon, add the broth, and enjoy heartily. Be cautious not to slurp too vigorously, as the broth might splash onto your clothes.
It seems you can enjoy sake in the evening, but during the time I visited, I didn’t see anyone drinking alcohol, so they might not serve it during the day.
As the tempura is freshly fried, be careful not to burn your mouth.
Udon is a Japanese-style fast food, so eat quickly and leave promptly.
They accept cash or PayPay only. Foreign visitors might not have PayPay, so essentially, cash is the preferred option, requiring attention. However, there’s a FamilyMart nearby, where you can withdraw cash from ATMs.
Kirimugi Jinroku
Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, 1-17-1
Closed on: None
Opening Hours: 11:30-16:00, 17:30-23:00
Note: All information in this article is accurate as of August 2023 and may be subject to change.