Menu, Wait Times, and First-Hand Dining Experience
When exploring Shibuya and looking for a pasta dish that feels uniquely Japanese, Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti Shibuya is a place worth knowing.
This specialty restaurant focuses entirely on tarako and mentaiko (cod roe), combining them with Japanese dashi, white miso, soy milk, and other traditional ingredients to create dishes that are neither purely Italian nor purely Japanese.
Located just minutes from Shibuya Station, the restaurant is popular throughout the day and often has a line, depending on the time.
This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting — location, opening hours, menu overview, waiting times, and what it’s actually like to eat there.
Whether you’re traveling solo, visiting Tokyo for the first time, or simply curious about modern Japanese pasta, this article will help you decide what to order and when to go.
目次-table of contents
- Basic Information – Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti Shibuya
- Atmosphere and Ease of Use
- Understanding the Menu Structure
- Dashi Spaghetti – The Signature Style
- Creamy and Classic Tarako Pasta
- Rice Dishes – A Light Add-On
- Takeaway Option – Frozen Pasta
- Wait Times and Queue Tips
- What I Ate – Dining Experience
- Overall Impression
- What to Order on Your First Visit
- Final Thoughts
Basic Information – Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti Shibuya
Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti Shibuya is located in the Miyamasuzaka area, within walking distance of Shibuya Station.
Despite being close to one of Tokyo’s busiest intersections, the restaurant sits on a relatively calm street, making it easy to find even for first-time visitors.
Address:
1-14-8 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002
Approximately 5 minutes (250m) from Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Opening Hours:
11:00 AM – 10:30 PM (Last Order: 10:00 PM)
Hours may vary during holidays or special periods.
Notes:
- No phone reservations
- Entry may close early during peak congestion
- Open all day (no lunch break)
Atmosphere and Ease of Use
The interior features warm wood tones and a clean, minimalist design.
Seating includes both counter seats and small tables, making it suitable for solo diners, couples, and small groups.
While the space isn’t designed for long stays, the efficient layout allows guests to enjoy their meal comfortably without feeling rushed.
It’s a good choice if you want something more refined than casual fast food but still approachable and relaxed.
Understanding the Menu Structure
The menu is organized around tarako and mentaiko, offering several distinct styles:
- Dashi-based spaghetti
- Tarako & mentaiko pasta (cream and non-cream)
- Rice dishes
- Desserts
- Toppings
- Drinks & alcohol
- Frozen takeout pasta
Each category stays true to the cod roe theme, allowing you to customize your meal based on appetite and curiosity.
Dashi Spaghetti – The Signature Style
Dashi spaghetti represents the restaurant’s most distinctive concept.
Each dish is served with a teapot filled with hot Japanese dashi, which you pour over the pasta yourself.
Popular options include:
- Seared Tarako Dashi Spaghetti – ¥1,100
- Seared Mentaiko Dashi Spaghetti – ¥1,100
- Tarako with Simmered Kombu Dashi Spaghetti – ¥1,100
- Salmon & Mentaiko Dashi Spaghetti – ¥1,540
- Salted Salmon & Salmon Roe Tarako Spaghetti – ¥1,430
The noodles are slightly thinner than typical Italian pasta and initially served clumped together.
As you pour the dashi, the noodles loosen and absorb the broth, allowing the flavor to change gradually as you eat.
This style sits somewhere between Japanese noodle soup and pasta — a hybrid that feels natural rather than experimental.
Creamy and Classic Tarako Pasta
For those who prefer richer flavors, the menu also includes creamy and modern interpretations:
- White Miso & Soy Milk Mentaiko Cream – ¥1,210
- Simple Tarako Spaghetti – ¥1,100
- Squid Ink Mentaiko Spaghetti – ¥1,100
- Tarako Soy Milk Carbonara – ¥1,210
- Grated Yam, Mentaiko & Shiso Sauce – ¥1,430
Among these, the White Miso & Soy Milk Mentaiko Cream stands out for balancing depth and lightness without feeling heavy.
Rice Dishes – A Light Add-On
If you want a little extra after pasta, the rice dishes are designed to complement rather than overwhelm.
- Mentaiko-Marinated Salmon Rice – ¥660
- Shirasu (Whitebait) Rice – ¥495
- Salmon & Salmon Roe Rice – ¥825
They’re small but satisfying, making them ideal as a secondary dish.
Desserts, Toppings, and Customization
Desserts are simple and refreshing:
- Mentaiko Milk Ice Cream – ¥385
- Strawberry Panna Cotta – ¥495
You can also customize your pasta with toppings such as extra tarako, seared mentaiko, salmon roe, or soft-boiled egg, creating a personalized dish.
Takeaway Option – Frozen Pasta
Frozen tarako spaghetti (¥1,080) is available for takeout.
It’s convenient for travelers staying nearby or anyone who wants to enjoy the flavor later at home.
Wait Times and Queue Tips
I visited around 2:10 PM, slightly after the lunch rush, and still found a line of about five groups (around ten people).
This suggests steady demand throughout the day.
There is no clearly marked “end of line,” but the queue typically forms uphill from the entrance.
If unsure, checking with staff is the easiest solution.
To avoid longer waits, visiting right after opening or between 2:00–4:00 PM is recommended.
What I Ate – Dining Experience
Seared Tarako Dashi Spaghetti
This dish perfectly represents the restaurant’s concept.
When it arrived, the aroma of shiso leaves immediately stood out, signaling a distinctly Japanese profile.
As I poured the dashi over the noodles, the texture gradually loosened, allowing the tarako to spread evenly.
Breaking the seared tarako little by little changed the flavor over time, making each bite slightly different.
It didn’t feel like a novelty — more like a well-established style that simply happens to be unfamiliar outside Japan.
White Miso & Soy Milk Mentaiko Cream
Visually calm and understated, this dish delivers more richness than expected.
The thick noodles have strong bite, while the sauce feels creamy but not heavy.
An unexpected highlight was a small portion of sticky rice mixed into the dish.
Rather than standing out, it blended naturally, reinforcing the balance between Japanese and Western elements.
Mentaiko-Marinated Salmon Rice
Ordered as a final addition, this dish was light yet flavorful.
The salmon is seasoned like a Japanese-style yukhoe, paired with egg yolk and a subtle hint of Japanese pepper.
Even after pasta, it felt easy to finish and rounded out the meal nicely.
Overall Impression
Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti Shibuya isn’t simply a “tarako pasta restaurant.”
It presents cod roe as the foundation of a complete culinary style, bridging Japanese and Western approaches without forcing the combination.
For first-time visitors, the menu is approachable, and it’s difficult to make a wrong choice.
Each dish feels thoughtfully composed rather than experimental.
What to Order on Your First Visit
If it’s your first time, start with one of these:
- Seared Tarako Dashi Spaghetti
- White Miso & Soy Milk Mentaiko Cream
If you still have room, adding a rice dish enhances the experience without being too filling.
Final Thoughts
Tokyo Tarako Spaghetti Shibuya transforms a familiar ingredient into something uniquely Japanese and surprisingly refined.
If you’re in Shibuya and want:
- A meal different from standard ramen or sushi
- A modern take on Japanese comfort food
- A pasta experience you can’t easily find outside Japan
this restaurant is well worth your time.
