Chinrai 珍来

A Kashiwa institution

Today, Kashiwa east exit Chinrai is on the ground floor of the modern Day One Tower. You can’t miss it because of the kashiwa, or daimyo oak patterned facade. Chinrai was in this same location before the tower was built. It’s a Chinese fast food institution on the Joban train line, and locals missed this location while construction went on. It’s a familiar place with a history dating back to the early Showa Period. They make great big juicy gyoza, al dente ramen with huge chunks of menma and a generous helping of spicy ground pork. Chinrai supports Kashiwa Reysol football club with special curry ramen. Mabo curry ramen is way too many things going on in one bowl, so I haven’t tried it. Ask the servers to use the otearai, because unless you’re a super sleuth, you won’t find it. Chinrai has secret passages!