Ginza Kagari, founded in 2013, is a ramen shop specializing in tori paitan — chicken broth simmered until it emulsifies into a thick, potage-like soup. Its Tori Paitan SOBA was listed as a Bib Gourmand in the 2016 and 2017 Michelin Guide Tokyo, and the line down its Ginza side street has been a fixture since the shop's early days, with plenty of international visitors in it today.
The story
The original shop was a tiny spot in a narrow Ginza alley, famous for the queue that formed before opening time. After relocating, the main shop now sits at 6-4-12 Ginza — a few minutes' walk from Ginza Station and within walking distance of Shimbashi and Yurakucho.
What made Kagari's name widely known is its Tori Paitan SOBA, built on chicken broth simmered until it emulsifies into a potage-like consistency. It was selected for Bib Gourmand in the 2016 and 2017 Michelin Guide Tokyo, and the shop is often credited with igniting Japan's tori paitan boom. The brand now runs a branch inside Narita Airport Terminal 2, and its operator announced a Melbourne shop in February 2026.
What to order
The signature bowl is the Tori Paitan Soba. According to the brand's official online shop, the soup uses 100% premium domestic chicken simmered at length in nothing but pure water. The thick, potage-like broth comes topped with carefully arranged garnishes — the presentation the shop is known for.
A truffle version is the other signature bowl; the Narita Airport branch also lists a truffle tori paitan soba among its recommendations. Prices have been revised repeatedly in recent years — as of July 2026, figure on the upper ¥1,000s for the standard bowl at the main shop, and check the official Instagram or in store for exact current prices.
Tips for visiting
Queues are routine, especially around lunchtime, and the shop draws plenty of overseas visitors even on weekdays. Allow extra time or aim for off-peak hours. A major listing (as of November 2023) gave hours of 11:00–21:30, but schedules change, so check the official Instagram (@kagari_honten) before you go.
Want one last bowl before flying home? The Narita Airport branch (Terminal 2 main building 2F, past security in the international area) opens 7:30–22:00 (last order) and offers multilingual menus, per Narita Airport's official website.