As the weather gets hotter, you might find yourself losing your appetite and feeling like "eating a proper meal is a bit of a struggle..." Don't you sometimes crave something light and refreshing? Around Waseda Campus, there are plenty of summer gourmet options perfect for this time of year. So, this time, a Waseda Weekly reporter has sampled and reported on some recommended summer foods! We'll introduce not only the taste but also the atmosphere of the restaurants. Why not find a place you'll want to frequent this summer?
* All prices in this article include tax. Information is current as of June 2026.
INDEX
▼An ambitious creation from a master of oil noodles: Tokyo Menchintei Honpo's summer-only "Hiyashio Oil Noodles"
▼Specialty shaved ice made with homemade sauces and creams: "Espuma Shaved Ice Specialty Shop 315"
▼Even if you're feeling the effects of summer fatigue, this Taiwanese dessert, "Jiufen Taro Balls," is great for beauty and health!
▼A refreshing drink to make you forget the heat! The trending "Nine Tea"
A bold new creation from a master of oil noodles: Tokyo Menchintei Honpo's summer-only "Hiyashio Abura Soba"
Interview, writing, and photography by Waseda Weekly student staff
Suhon Kanai, 3rd year student, School of Law
In front of the Nishi-Waseda store
Hey Waseda students! Have you refueled (※)? Normally, you'd get a cheerful reply, but with the heat, I'm sure there are more and more Waseda students who are hesitant to eat heavy oil noodles. So this time, I'd like to introduce a summer-only menu from the original oil noodle shop, "Tokyo Menchintei Honpo," that you can enjoy even on hot days! There's the Tsurumaki-cho main store, a 5-minute walk from Waseda Campus; the Nishi-Waseda store, a 3-minute walk from Toyama Campus; and Takadanobaba store (Science and Engineering campus store), a 5-minute walk from Nishi-Waseda Campus. This time, I visited the Nishi-Waseda store.
*This is a term used by Waseda University students to refer to eating greasy food such as abura soba around Waseda University.
Looking at the ticket vending machine inside the shop, I noticed an unfamiliar blue button: "Hiyashio Abura Soba." This is the limited-time summer menu item I'll be trying today. Tokyo Menchintei Honpo has only offered soy sauce-based abura soba for 20 years since its opening in 1997, but the manager says that this dish was developed as an off-menu item to meet diverse customer needs.
Photo on the left: The Nishi-Waseda store has 8 counter seats and 1 two-seater table.
Photo on the right: A wide variety of toppings are available, including mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and pork back fat.
What arrived was a plate of noodles with no toppings whatsoever. It looked very simple, but its simplicity immediately raised my expectations. Following the proper way to eat abura soba, I first mixed it well. According to the owner, it is recommended to eat "Hiyashio Abura Soba" as is, without adding vinegar or chili oil.
"Hiyashio Abura Soba (Regular)" 1,100 yen. 140g of noodles before boiling.
Then, from beneath the noodles, you find slices of char siu pork, pickled plums, bamboo shoots, seaweed, and green onions! The reason for this appearance, which seems to defy the trend of "Instagrammable" food in this day and age, is explained by the manager: "It's an 'back-menu' item, so we put the toppings on the 'back' side of the noodles (laughs)."
Taking a bite, I noticed that it wasn't overly rich, and it was easy to slurp down. In the summer when you sweat a lot, the salty taste feels especially refreshing. Apparently, the amount of oil is the same as the regular menu, but the sourness of the pickled plum gives it a refreshing finish, so it doesn't feel heavy at all. I finished it in no time.
This dish is recommended not only for avid heavy users who never neglect regular refueling, but also for people who like oil noodles but avoid them on hot days, and even for people who don't usually eat oil noodles!
Nishi-Waseda Store Manager
Let's get through the hot summer by eating Hiyashio!
Store Information
[Store name Tokyo Menchintei Honpo Nishi-Waseda Store
[address 2-3-25 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
[TEL 03-5292-9711
[Business Hours 11:00 - 23:00
[Closed on】none
[Website] https://menchintei.jp/shop/nishi-waseda/
* Cash, electronic money, credit cards, and QR code payments are accepted.
"Espuma Shaved Ice Specialty Shop 315" offers shaved ice made with homemade sauces and creams.
Interview, writing, and photography by Waseda Weekly student staff
Chikara Wada, 2nd year student, School of Political Science and Economics
Located in the building where "Espuma Shaved Ice Specialty Shop 315" is located. Look for the black door.
Located on the second floor of a building with a black door, about a 7-minute walk from the main gate of Waseda University along Waseda Street towards Kagurazaka, is "Espuma Shaved Ice Specialty Shop 315." Run by a husband and wife team for the past three years, they regularly refresh their menu and continue to make delicious shaved ice so that "customers will keep coming back without getting bored." Espuma is a cooking device that adds espuma gas to ingredients, and when the lever is pulled, it turns into a foamy substance. This shaved ice is topped with cream made using espuma, hence the name "Espuma Shaved Ice." This shaved ice is generously topped with soft cream and homemade sauce, making it the perfect treat for yourself!
Photo on the left: The interior has a calm atmosphere with a base of gray and wood. In addition to the 4 counter seats, there are 4 tables that seat 2 people, making it easy to visit even alone.
Photo on the right: The name "315" in the shop name reflects the desire to serve the "best" bowl of ramen until the very last bite.
For this interview, we tried two items from the menu that was available: "Kabondo-san," made with pumpkin and almonds, and "Cheppy-san," made with cherries and pistachios.
The first thing I tried was "Kabondo-san." This dessert features soft shaved ice topped with fluffy almond milk espuma and homemade pumpkin sauce, garnished with an almond. The gently sweet pumpkin sauce and almond milk espuma are a perfect match, and their smoothness blends with the refreshing ice on the tongue, creating a unique harmony. As you eat, you'll find pumpkin paste and homemade crumble inside, and the strong sweetness of the pumpkin combined with the crunchy texture of the crumble makes you feel like you're eating a pumpkin cake while eating shaved ice. The menu changes irregularly, but they always offer a pumpkin-based dish, sometimes with different ingredients!
"Kabondo-san." 2,000 yen
Next up was "Cheppy-san." This drink features soft ice topped with milk espuma and a homemade cherry sauce made with tart griotte cherries, and finished with a large, plump American cherry. The tart cherry sauce blends perfectly with the smooth milk espuma, creating an exquisite flavor. And what's particularly noteworthy is the pistachio cream hidden inside! The pistachio cream, along with the cherry sauce and milk espuma, adds richness and flavor, making it impossible to stop yourself from taking another sip.
"Cheppy-san." 2,000 yen. *Offer ended
The ice used is pure ice with no strong flavor that pairs well with the cream and sauces, and it's carefully shaved with a shaving machine, resulting in a very light texture. The moment it enters your mouth, you feel it melt away along with the flavors of the sauce, creating a captivating culinary experience. Also, because the sauce is used generously, it remained delicious until the very last bite, even as the ice melted into a liquid.
Photo on the left: The ice and toppings are layered like a mille-feuille.
Photo on the right: The shop owner's signature espuma cream. "I was delighted when the espuma manufacturer asked me to showcase their product at a trade show as an example of how to use espuma," he said.
"Espuma Shaved Ice Specialty Shop 315," where you can enjoy "the best cup of shaved ice to the very last bite," is so popular that it often has a line! In addition, each shaved ice is carefully made one by one, so be sure to visit when you have some free time, such as after classes. Once you go, you'll definitely want to go again!
Espuma Shaved Ice Specialty Shop 315 Owner
Enjoy your university life! And please come visit whenever you have time!
Store Information
[Store name】Espuma Shaved Ice Specialty Shop 315
[address 2F Kitagawa Building, 556 Waseda Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
[Business Hours 13:00 - 16:00 (Last order 15:30)
[Closed on Irregular holidays
[Instagram] @315_sanichigo
* Please check our Instagram for business days and sold-out information.
* Cash, electronic money, credit cards, and QR code payments are accepted.
Even if you're feeling the effects of summer fatigue, this Taiwanese dessert, "Jiufen Taro Balls," is great for beauty and health!
Interview, writing, and photography by Waseda Weekly student staff
Rinka Nishimura, 4th year student School of Human Sciences
The exterior view. Look for the noren (curtain) that says "Jiufen Taro Balls".
Just a one-minute walk from Exit 3b of Waseda Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, in the opposite direction from Waseda Campus, you'll find "Taiwan Jiufen Imoen Waseda Branch," a shop opened with the desire to let many people try the popular Taiwanese sweets from Jiufen, a famous tourist spot in Taiwan. Taiwanese sweets are characterized by their gentle sweetness! They are made with healthy ingredients, so they are said to have good effects on beauty and health.
Photo on the left: Interior view. There are 3 counter seats and 1 table for 2 people.
Photo on the right: The photo showing the health benefits of the topping ingredients is on the wall on the counter side.
The menu includes the main desserts "Imoen Sogou" (taro ball assortment), "Imoen Tofu Pudding" (taro ball tofu pudding), and "Imoen Sensou" (taro ball grass jelly), as well as dishes like Lu Rou Fan (braised pork rice), Beef Noodles, and Bubble Milk Tea. You can customize your dessert by choosing from 14 different toppings and 2 types of syrup. There are photos in the store explaining the characteristics of each topping and their health benefits, so please take a look!
We ordered the shop's most popular items, "Taro Ball Assortment" and "Taro Ball Tofu Pudding." Both dishes feature taro balls, a chewy dumpling commonly used in Taiwanese desserts. Each color has a different flavor: orange is pumpkin, green is matcha, yellow is sweet potato, and white is taro. You can also choose between two types of syrup: brown sugar and coconut milk, but for first-time visitors, we recommend starting with the basic brown sugar!
This time, our "Taro Ball Compilation" replaces the original tapioca with mung beans, which are said to be good for beauty and health! You can enjoy the different textures of the chewy taro balls, the crunchy job's tears, and the fluffy mung beans. The moderate sweetness of the red beans added in is also addictive. It also contains finely crushed ice, making it perfect for cooling down on a summer day!
"Taro Ball Assortment" 750 yen
"Taro Ball Tofu Pudding" features a perfect combination of tofu pudding and a carefully crafted cane sugar syrup that isn't overly sweet. Made with soy milk, the tofu pudding has a milder flavor than almond tofu, making it easy to eat. It melts smoothly in your mouth and is delicious even in the summer when your appetite is low. It has a refined taste that is different from "Taro Ball Composite," and you'll want to eat it again and again!
"Taro Ball Tofu Pudding" 750 yen
Even just one dessert is enough to satisfy you, so I recommend having it as a main dish during lunchtime. Please do visit!
Shop owner Rikitake
Taiwanese sweets aren't very well known in Japan, so please come and try them!
Store Information
[Store name Taiwan Jiufen Imoen Waseda Branch
[address 74 Waseda-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, La Terrasse Waseda 101
[TEL 080-7058-2814
[Business Hours 12:00 - 20:00
[Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday
[Website] https://www.kyufunimoen.com/
[Instagram] @jiufenyuyuan
* Cash, electronic money, credit cards, and QR code payments are accepted.
A refreshing drink to beat the heat! The much-talked-about "Nine Tea"
Located just to the right of Exit 3b of Waseda Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, next to Waseda Junior and Senior High School, is "Nine Tea," a tapioca tea shop that's become a hot topic on social media. Prioritizing "delivering delicious tea," they pay meticulous attention not only to tea leaf selection but also to brewing methods, temperature control, and freshness, and have been popular with many Waseda University students since opening in 2022.
Photo on the left: Look for the orange sign.
Photo on the right: The right-hand wall of the shop, where customers can freely draw, is completely covered with pictures and messages. Takeout only.
Nine Tea uses three types of tea as its base: Assam black tea, characterized by its robust aroma from medium roasting and a subtle sweetness reminiscent of fruit; jasmine green tea, infused with the fragrance of jasmine flowers; and oolong tea, known for its rich, savory aroma from deep roasting. What's surprising is the sheer number of menu options! In addition to approximately 30 different drinks, you can choose from nine different toppings, including tapioca, pudding, and grass jelly, five levels of sweetness, and the amount of ice. The fact that they also offer daily limited-time menus and toppings is another reason for their popularity. This time, we tried their most popular "Brown Sugar Tapioca Latte," the summer favorite "Plum Lemon + Nata de Coco," and the daily limited-time "White Orchid Milk Tea."
From left to right: "Plum Lemon + Nata de Coco" 700 yen, "White Orchid Milk Tea" 600 yen, "Brown Sugar Tapioca Latte" 630 yen. All are medium size.
I chose 50% sweetness for the "Brown Sugar Tapioca Latte," and it was just the right amount of sweetness. The brown sugar milk tea was filled with plenty of chewy tapioca, making it a very satisfying drink! The "Plum Lemon + Nata de Coco" had a refreshing lemon tartness, and the nata de coco went down smoothly, making it easy to drink and perfect for a hot day. With the "White Orchid Milk Tea," the elegant aroma of tea leaves and flowers gently spread with every sip. I chose 30% sweetness, and it was not too sweet and very refreshing. It's a light milk tea that's easy to drink even in summer.
If you go to Nine Tea, you're sure to find a cup that suits your mood! Think about "what kind of tea you want to drink today" and stop by before heading to class or as a reward on your way home after a tiring day.
* We are planning to temporarily close for approximately one month from July 10, 2026 for construction work.
Nine Tea Shop Owner
Many students from all over the world gather at Waseda, and we know they lead busy and fulfilling lives filled with studying, research, student club activities, part-time jobs, and more. We hope that Nine Tea's tea can provide a moment of relaxation amidst all that. More than just providing drinks, we want to be a part of the Waseda community, a presence that is close to your daily lives. We will continue to strive to be a shop loved by everyone at Waseda, so please feel free to stop by anytime.
Store Information
[Store Name] Nine Tea Waseda Store
[Address] 62 baba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
[TEL] 03-6205-5551
[Business Hours] 12:00 - 21:00
[Regular holidays] Irregular holidays
[Instagram] @ninetea__waseda
* Cash, electronic money, credit cards, and QR code payments are accepted.
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