01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Tucked into a quiet side street in Higashi-Ueno, Ramen Ushio sets itself apart by mastering two completely different flavor profiles under one roof. One pillar of the menu is the Shiro Tori Paitan Soba, a Western-influenced bowl built on chicken carcasses from Tottori Prefecture's renowned Daisen breed, simmered patiently to concentrate their savory depth, then finished with a proprietary tare seasoning. With the silky, comforting richness of a vegetable potage, the bowl stands out even further thanks to unique topping options like pork-wrapped asparagus and a poached egg.
The counterpoint is the Kuro Nihonichi Shoyu Soba, crafted for those who prefer layered seafood complexity. Its broth relies exclusively on a blend of 7 dried fish varieties—including prime Hokkaido ma-kombu kelp, mackerel, round herring, Soda bonito, and shaved katsuobushi—drawn slowly through cold extraction and precise temperature controls, then united with a heat-aged raw soy sauce tare. Diners seeking a more lavish presentation can order the Kiwami Kuro or Kiwami Shiro variations, which arrive generously piled with extra duck and chashu pork.
Sides and Daytime Dining
For a hearty accompaniment, the kitchen serves a seasoned meat miso rice bowl finished in a keema curry style, and regular noodle orders can be sized up with free large portions. Service centers on daytime hours from 11:00 to 15:00, every day except Sunday, within a calm dining room welcoming to solo visitors. With drinks like Heartland beer and wine by the glass also on hand, it makes a dependable stop for an impeccably composed lunch near Ueno.
