【Ramen Journey】Experiencing unchanged happiness at the long-established local Chinese restaurant "Ginsui" near Toritsu-Daigaku Station in Tokyo

Placing myself in an intentionally unchanging place seems to help organize my busy daily life. This is Ginsui, a long-established local Chinese restaurant founded in 1960, just a minute's walk from Toritsu-Daigaku Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line. On a weekday, the quiet ramen in the cozy interior became a moment to relax my shoulders.

In a constantly changing city, to a place that never changes

The streets of Tokyo are undergoing redevelopment and changes in stores, being updated day by day. While surrounded by convenience and newness, there are moments when everything feels like similar landscapes no matter where one goes. Taking the time to consciously choose a “place that doesn’t change” helps to calm the mind in the midst of a busy daily life.

The unchanging place I headed to is "Ginsui," a long-standing Chinese restaurant located about a minute's walk from Todoriki University Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line. Since its opening in 1960 (Showa 35), it seems to have continued to display its sign in the same location.

Todoriki University Station, about 10 minutes by Tokyu Toyoko Line from Shibuya, is neither too bustling nor too quiet — just the right kind of town for me. Recently, the surrounding stores have been changing, and slowly, a new atmosphere is beginning to emerge. What kind of sensation can one gain by stopping by a long-standing shop in such a changing city?

There are three entrances!? Even while getting lost, I felt drawn in and decided to go in.

The exterior is built in a V-shape, and while it may not appear new, it has a dignity unique to a store that has accumulated a long history.

Standing in front of Ginmizu, the first thing that surprised me was the number of entrances. There are three entrances around the store, making it easy to enter from any direction.

Not knowing which side was the front, I hesitated for a moment, but thought, "I might as well go in," and stepped through the nearest entrance. Once inside, there is a strangely calming atmosphere.

I visited just before 2 PM on a weekday. It was after the lunch peak, and the counter had 11 seats arranged in a triangle. A male customer who seemed to be a regular was calmly conversing with a female staff member over the counter. A daytime informational program was playing on the TV, and there were no special effects in the store. Still, that was comfortable.

I ordered ramen. The price is 600 yen. I was expecting a bowl that didn’t feature special ingredients or trendy arrangements, but something I could eat in a relaxed manner.

Expecting the same ramen.

The ramen that was brought to me evokes a sense of nostalgia just by its appearance. The clear soy sauce-colored soup has just the right amount of oil floating on top, and a larger slice of char siu is in the center. Bean sprouts, chopped green onions, seaweed, and naruto complete the dish. As a city-style ramen, it has an ideal composition.

First, I took a sip of the soup. The flavor of soy sauce is gentle and doesn't assert itself strongly the moment it enters the mouth. It gradually spreads, naturally making me want to take another sip.

The noodles are medium-thin and a bit uneven. They have a light bite, and I can easily chew through them without much effort. When eaten with this soup, they provide a soothing flavor. Before I knew it, my chopsticks were moving unconsciously.

The char siu has a solid meaty texture and is well-prepared without relying on fat. Considering the price of 600 yen, it has more than enough presence. There’s nothing flashy about it, but before I realized it, I was silently advancing my chopsticks, enjoying the meal without pressure.

After finishing, I could hear the sound of the TV again, the conversations over the counter, and I felt the flowing time within the shop. It feels good to be spaced out in that moment, and feelings like this are precious in the busy daily life. My mind was completely settled at Ginsui.

Spending time in the town around Toritsu-Daigaku Station is just right

While visiting trendy shops on the weekend is fun, the satisfaction gained from deliberately choosing an unchanging place. The streets near Toritsu-Daigaku Station and the cozy atmosphere of the long-established local Chinese restaurant felt just right for my current self.

Ginsui
Location: 1-27-5 Hiracho, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Interview & Text: SYURI

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