Introduction
Hi everyone, it’s Nazuna here! 🐰✨
If you’re in Akihabara late at night and craving ramen, Bushouya Gaiden is the perfect spot!
While the main Bushouya branch often has long lines, Gaiden usually lets you in without much waiting. Even better, it’s open until 4 AM, making it an amazing option for night owls. And here’s the best part—Gaiden isn’t just convenient, it also has a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from the main shop.
A Quick Look at Iekei Ramen History
Iekei ramen was born in Yokohama in 1974.
It combines a rich pork-and-soy-sauce broth with medium-thick noodles, usually topped with char siu pork, spinach, and nori seaweed.
This style is especially famous for pairing perfectly with rice, making “ramen + rice” a classic combo loved across Japan.
How Gaiden Differs from the Main Branch
Bushouya Gaiden serves the same style of Iekei ramen but with distinct differences from the main shop:
- Broth Texture
- Main Branch: Emulsified broth where pork and chicken fat blend together into a creamy, well-balanced soup.
- Gaiden: Non-emulsified broth, with fat floating separately from the soup. This creates a sharper, punchier soy flavor and a more direct richness.
- Chashu (Pork)
- Main Branch: Standard char siu.
- Gaiden: Smoked char siu, adding a unique aroma and depth with every bite.
- Flavor Impression
- Main branch → Balanced, creamy, and accessible to everyone.
- Gaiden → Sharper, bolder, and more “salty punch,” making it a favorite for hardcore Iekei ramen fans.
In short: if the main Bushouya is the classic, Gaiden is the bold, smoky rebel.
Inside the Restaurant
The shop is small and simple, with around 15 counter seats. Compared to the main branch, it feels calmer and easier to enter without long lines. It’s perfect for both solo diners and night-time ramen seekers.
Unique Features
- Open until 4 AM → A lifesaver after late-night anime, gaming, or bar hopping in Akihabara.
- Less waiting → Easier to enter than the main branch.
- Smoked chashu → A signature difference you won’t find at the main Bushouya.
- Sharper broth → Non-emulsified, soy-forward flavor that hits stronger.
What I Tried – Gaiden Ramen (Regular) + Rice
- Menu: Gaiden Ramen (Regular) + Rice
- Price: ¥1,250 + ¥100 = ¥1,350
- Taste & Texture: The broth is bold yet slightly milder in mouthfeel compared to the main shop, with a sharper soy kick. The smoked chashu adds a delicious smoky aroma that pairs perfectly with the rich broth. Combined with rice, it becomes a deeply satisfying late-night meal.
- Volume & Satisfaction: Filling and hearty without being overwhelming, perfect even at midnight.
- Best way to enjoy: Place smoked chashu or soup-soaked nori on rice, add a bit of broth, and savor the harmony!
Recommended For
Bushouya Gaiden is perfect if you…
- Want to enjoy Iekei ramen without waiting in long lines
- Need a ramen shop open late into the night
- Are curious about non-emulsified broth and smoked chashu
- Love comparing different ramen shops and tasting their unique styles
Store Information
- Name: Bushouya Gaiden (武将家 外伝)
- Address: 3-8-7 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 5 minutes on foot from JR Akihabara Station (Electric Town Exit)
- Opening Hours: 11:00 – 4:00 AM
- Closed: No fixed holidays (may vary)
- Reservation: Not available
- Budget: ¥850 – ¥1,300
- Payment: Cash only
- Seats: Around 15 counter seats
- Other: Open late night / Less crowded than main branch / Smoked chashu specialty
- Official Site: N/A
Conclusion
Bushouya Gaiden is a hidden gem in Akihabara for ramen lovers who want something different.
While the main Bushouya delivers creamy, balanced Iekei ramen, Gaiden offers a sharper non-emulsified broth and smoky chashu that give it a unique identity.
If you’re out in Akihabara late at night, skip the lines at the main shop and head to Gaiden—it’s a true treat for Iekei ramen fans!
