Hyperlocal Tokyo

I was so moved to taste Asuka's flavors again... It brought back memories. About 20 years ago, I was deeply impressed by the Paigu Dan Dan Noodles at Asuka, but after it closed, I never had the chance to visit this place. Finally, I was able to come today. The stylish interior, attentive service, and delicious Paigu Dan Dan Noodles were all wonderful. The only minor point is that the ticket vending machine doesn't accept electronic money, so you need to have cash ready.

This is the successor to Asuka, which was located in Shibuya before the redevelopment. Their pork cutlet dan dan noodles are popular. Unlike the dan dan noodles you see everywhere these days, this one has a lighter flavor, but it's still delicious. The ticket machine is a bit difficult to use, though.

Located a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station on the JR Yamanote and Saikyo Lines, "Renge no Gotoku" is a ramen shop that opened in July 2019 (Reiwa 1). This shop is said to have inherited the flavors of the famous "Asuka" restaurant that closed due to Shibuya's redevelopment. A friend recommended it, so I decided to try it for the first time. I visited on a weekend afternoon around 2 pm. There was no line, and I was quickly seated at the counter. I ordered the popular "Paigu Tan Tan Men" (Pork Cutlet Spicy Noodle Soup). The soup, made with chicken bones and aromatic vegetables, was piping hot, slightly spicy, and had a nice sesame aroma. The soft, straight, medium-thin noodles were well-coated in the soup. The pork cutlet, which had a slight curry flavor, was thin. It was fully submerged in the soup, so the batter had absorbed the broth and become soggy. Other reviews mentioned that the cutlet was crispy, but maybe I just caught it at a bad time. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't a particularly memorable bowl of ramen for me. Thank you for the meal.

I was looking for ramen in Shibuya and found out this place is the successor to the famous Aska, a now-closed restaurant known for its bone broth tantanmen. Of course, I ordered the bone broth tantanmen for ¥1150. I used to love spicy food when I was younger, but I'm self-conscious about sweating profusely. Still, I loved Aska's bone broth tantanmen and remember eating at the red-sign Aska. But this one was a bit salty. I hear there's a branch in Jimbocho, so I'll check it out.

Asuka, a renowned restaurant located on the Sakuragaoka side of Shibuya, was a favorite spot for me during my time working in Shibuya. This new establishment claims to carry on the legacy of that famous restaurant. I purchased the 'Paigu Tan Tan Men' from the vending machine, and it came with a complimentary bowl of rice. The rich yet refreshing broth brought back nostalgic memories. The generous portion size, as always, left me feeling very satisfied.