Keiya Udon is a great Tokyo noodle shop
Keiya is my favorite udon shop. I don’t know how many times I’ve been to it, but it’s a lot. On average, I go to it once every two weeks. There was a time when I went to it every two days! That tells you how highly I rate this shop. If you want great Japanese food in Tokyo, check it out.
Do you know Japan’s Showa era? It was named after Emperor Hirohito. It went from 1926 to 1989, when he died. The latter half of that period, after WWII, has a lot of nostalgia for Japanese people, and me too. It was a time of rebuilding the country, and people had big dreams. Bright colors were common, and this restaurant has them!
Mr. Kikuchi is the owner and has been running Keiya since 2003. He’s a good cook and enjoys a chat. I’m surprised at his stamina as he only has one day off a month.
There are two things I must say about Keiya. Yurakucho Station is near, and his shop is under the tracks. That means it is noisy when a train passes above! I don’t mind, and his regular clientele don’t either.
The other thing is that a noren (like a curtain) separates the shop from the outside world. There is no door. Keiya is tiny. The two tables are on the pavement. It’s real Tokyo street food.
According to Mr. Kikuchi, 90% of his customers order curry udon. And so do I, as it is very good. You can also get toppings for it. My favorite is menchi-katsu (breaded and deep-fried meat patty). Others are available.
The other thing about Keiya is that it is egalitarian. I’ve taken friends there when Mr. Kichuchi has been super busy and the shop is full. He puts the food on the counter, and his customers will pass it over with a smile. I love seeing that.
How is Keiya’s curry udon?
The curry has a slightly thick texture and Japanese-style soup stock. Its udon noodles are smooth and thin. The only ingredients are pork, onions, and green onions. Simple is best, as some say.
Other udon dishes on the menu
- Kake (basic noodles)
- Kitsune (fried tofu)
- Tamago (egg)
- Tempura
- Wakame (seaweed)
If you prefer soba, you can do that with everything.
Noodle toppings
- Cheese
- Croquettes
- Kakiage (a fried clump of seafood and vegetables)
- Menchi-katsu
- Natto
- Onsen egg
Drinks
- Water
- Beer and sake
Prices
Food and drink are reasonable.
Bonus tips
- For the curry udon, rice is free. You can put that into the soup as well!
- Free jugs of water and glasses are on the counter.
- Just be careful if you are in a hurry to eat. Mr. Kikuchi does everything by himself, so it takes a little time.
- Once you finish eating, return everything to the counter. Mr. Kikuchi would be grateful for that.
Where is Keiya?
Address: 2-4-11 Yurakucho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
It’s between Hibiya, Yurakucho, and Ginza stations.
Here it is on a Google map:
Opening Hours
- 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday to Friday
- 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturday and Sunday
Mr. Kikuchi takes one day off a month, but it is random!
Payment options
Cash only. Sorry, no credit cards or e-payments.
Does Mr. Kichuchi speak English?
He speaks a little. Don’t worry. You’ll get your food.
Conclusion
I love Keiya because its curry udon is great and Mr. Kikuchi is a nice guy. The atmosphere is awesome. His customers are friendly, and you might have interesting experiences with them. Whatever happens, it’s an authentic Tokyo dining experience.
As a bonus, prices are reasonable. If you are on a budget, you won’t be disappointed. It is a restaurant that should be on your Tokyo bucket list. Check it out.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related articles:
- Keiya on Tabelog (a Japanese restaurant review website)