Hey foodie friends! I recently stumbled upon a dish that's as visually striking as it is delicious: squid ink somen chanpuru. I discovered this gem at Yanbaru, an Okinawan restaurant in Shinjuku.

Okinawan cuisine is known for its squid ink creations, but I'd never seen it used with somen noodles before. They also had a version with Okinawa soba noodles, but it was a bit pricier, so I went with the somen.

Let me tell you, the flavor was intense! A rich, bold taste with loads of garlic and, of course, plenty of squid ink. It was seriously black – like, pitch black! I had a blast eating it, even with my teeth turning a delightful shade of dark.

Yanbaru is located right behind Shinjuku Alta, a landmark building in Shinjuku (which, sadly, is closing in February 2025). The restaurant itself has been renovated and looks great.

The first floor is a casual dining area serving set meals and Okinawa soba, while the second floor is an izakaya (a Japanese-style pub). The squid ink somen was on the izakaya menu, which offers a variety of dishes perfect for sharing with friends over drinks. Though, to be honest, the menu isn't that different from the first floor.

Yanbaru is super convenient, being so close to Shinjuku Station. And while there are a lot of mediocre restaurants around the station, this place is a real winner in terms of both taste and value. If you're ever in Shinjuku and struggling to choose a place to eat, Yanbaru is definitely worth considering!