Hyperlocal Tokyo

After getting a haircut at my regular salon, the stylist recommended a restaurant nearby. They said a Chinese restaurant called 'Fumin,' just a short walk away, serves delicious food. I immediately set off for Fumin and arrived within a minute. I went downstairs and found a place with a picture of a smiling woman, which seemed to be the entrance to Fumin. It was evening, so the lunch menu was unavailable, but they said I could order from the dinner menu. I had planned to eat within a lunch budget, but since I was already there, I decided to order the Five-Flavor Umami Noodles, Shrimp and Octopus Dumplings, and a small beer, even though it was over budget. The dumplings didn't come with vinegar or soy sauce, so I figured I was supposed to squeeze the accompanying lemon on them. I tried them that way. They were more like spring rolls than dumplings, but they were delicious even without dipping sauce. Next, I tried the Five-Flavor Umami Noodles. They were full of vegetables and also very tasty. It was nice to be able to see the spacious kitchen from my seat. I later learned that the restaurant is known for its Natto Fried Rice. I'll have to try the Natto Fried Rice next time I get my hair cut.

Located on Kotto-dori Street in Minami Aoyama, "Fumin," a Chinese-style home-cooked restaurant, has been a beloved spot for numerous celebrities since its opening in 1971, drawing crowds day and night. Its popularity is immense, so much so that in 2024, a documentary film titled "A Bouquet from the Kitchen" chronicling the journey of the owner, "Fumin Mama" (Rui Sai), was released nationwide. (Currently, Fumin Mama has retired.) The restaurant's most popular dishes are the scallion wonton and the natto fried rice. This time, since my dining companion disliked natto, we opted for the crab version... haha. First, the scallion wonton. Yoko was speechless at its deliciousness. This dish was born from a comment by Wada Makoto, the husband of culinary expert Remi Hirano, and the combination of white scallions and delicate scallion oil is simply divine. The mapo tofu features chunks of beef and mushrooms instead of minced meat, making it a hearty dish with minimal spiciness. It's a flavor that pairs perfectly with alcohol and rice, and even the small portion was quite substantial! The crab fried rice had a gentle, simple flavor. It was delicious, but next time, I'll definitely go for the natto fried rice. And another thing. The pickled mustard greens on the table are absolutely heavenly. Despite being in Minami Aoyama, this is not a pretentious restaurant at all. It's a welcoming, homey place that anyone can enjoy. I've become a fan of Fumin myself!!! ◼︎ Items ordered - Scallion Wonton (Small) ¥880 - Beef Mapo Tofu (Small) ¥1,900 - Crab Fried Rice ¥1,350 ※ Cash or PayPay only __________________________________ Please follow me on Instagram ❤︎ Yoko Kawamura (@yoko_kawamura_)

Lunch on October 19, 2024. I had the pork and pickled plum stew set, natto fried rice, and scallion wonton. The restaurant is conveniently located just a short walk from Omotesando Station, making it a great option for a quick bite before shopping. Although it opens at 11:30 AM, I arrived at 10:55 AM and there were already 14 people in line. By 11:01 AM, the line had grown to about 25 people, and the staff was telling people they wouldn't be able to enter after the restaurant opened. It was quite a sight. By 11:30 AM, when the restaurant opened, there were over 50 people in line. The pork and pickled plum stew was delicious, with a sweet and savory flavor that was just right. The natto fried rice was also very good, with a nice sticky texture from the natto.

A Chinese restaurant located about a 7-minute walk from Omotesando Station. It serves home-style Chinese food with a gentle flavor. I went there for lunch on a weekday afternoon and there was a huge line, so I made a reservation for dinner, but their popular lunch menu item, plum stew, wasn't available. The service was kind, and the Chinese food was gentle. The prices are a bit high, but all the dishes are very delicious! The scallion noodles are thin and I highly recommend them. The natto fried rice was also a unique flavor! I'd definitely like to try the plum stew for lunch.

Foo Min, a renowned restaurant specializing in Chinese home-style cooking, has been a popular spot for decades. This year, a documentary film chronicling the nearly half-century journey of Foo Min Mama was released, further fueling the already immense popularity of their lunch service. I had heard about the long lines, but I never imagined it would be this crazy. Arriving 30 minutes before opening, I barely made it into the first round. The restaurant is located in the basement of the Ohara School of Ikebana building on Omotesando's Antique Street. It's been about 10 years since my last visit! By opening time, there were about 50 people waiting in line. If you didn't make it into the first round, you were told to expect a 90-minute wait. They even took orders before the doors opened. The weekend lunch menu is extensive, offering a wide variety of dishes, including noodles, fried rice, and individual plates. While their braised pork with plums is famous, I couldn't resist the cold sesame noodles, opting for a smaller portion. As soon as the doors opened, everyone in the first round was seated. It seemed like they were assigning seats randomly, but how they matched orders to people was a mystery. Once seated, we were already provided with water and pickled mustard greens. Then, the dishes started arriving one after another. The cold noodles were made with thin, straight noodles that perfectly absorbed the rich sesame sauce. The toppings were plentiful, including tomatoes, cucumbers, seaweed, char siu pork, chicken breast, bean sprouts, and a boiled egg. Every ingredient showcased meticulous preparation. Ultimately, I believe Foo Min's popularity stems from the owner's strong leadership and the dedication of her exceptional staff. Next time, I'd love to come with a group and try some of their individual dishes for lunch.