Hyperlocal Tokyo

I heard the fried rice was delicious, so I decided to give it a try. I arrived a little before 10 am on Saturday and was the first customer. I was able to get a seat inside the air-conditioned restaurant. It quickly filled up, so I was glad I came early. I ordered a bottle of beer, a highball, dumplings, a spicy cucumber salad, and fried rice. The pickled cucumbers were served quickly, followed by the drinks. The spicy cucumber salad was a mix of cucumbers and char siu pork, and it was spicy and perfect for an appetizer! The dumplings were large and had a chewy texture rather than a crispy one. They were very satisfying. The fried rice was light on oil and fluffy, with a simple and delicate flavor. I really enjoyed it. I'd like to try the wonton and tanmen next time, so I'll definitely be back.

The fried rice is simple but delicious! The dumplings have a nice, crumbly texture, and the homemade chili oil was incredibly flavorful. It's always packed, so I can't stop by whenever I want, but I'm eager to try other dishes. However, since the seating is outside, it's a sweat-inducing experience even at night this time of year. (It has a certain atmosphere, if you will.)

This is a super famous Chinese restaurant in Ueno. It's my overall favorite. One of the highlights is the perfect teamwork between the owner, the chef in charge of the hot pot, and the energetic proprietress. The fried rice is a salt-flavored egg fried rice, the dumplings are chewy, and the popular Tanmen (noodle soup) is... not my favorite. The soup that comes with the fried rice isn't very good either. But I really love the overall atmosphere of the place! Having dumplings with a bottle of beer in the morning, followed by fried rice later. It's the best! That said, it's annoying that the quality of the dumplings seems to vary so much each time I go. And reading reviews from long-time customers, it seems like the quality has dropped significantly since it became famous. The price increases have also been outrageous... I'm a little worried.

A Taste of Showa Era Charm Located just off the main street of Ueno Ameya-yokochō, this place offers a taste that makes you want to eat outside even on a sweltering summer day. It's not just hype, as it's often featured on social media. The atmosphere is great, and the noise of the trains running under the overpass adds to the feeling of being in a scene from a movie you've seen before. There's a long line at lunchtime. I gave up and ate elsewhere, but I still wanted to try it, so I went back and waited in line again. I ordered fried rice, dumplings, and scallion pork. The dumplings have a chewy skin that's well-cooked and fragrant. The fried rice is light but has a chicken broth flavor. The scallion pork is heavily seasoned. It goes well with the fried rice and makes you want to eat more. The soup that comes with the fried rice is delicious. I could drink it from a bowl. The clientele is diverse, with foreigners, students, and locals all enjoying the lively atmosphere. There are about 20 seats, including counter seats and outdoor seating. There's no air conditioning outside. In the summer, be sure to experience the joy of eating while sweating.

I revisited this place after about four years. My first bite made me wonder, "Wait, was it always this salty?" I ordered the scallion and char siu pork as a beer snack, but after one bite, I felt like I needed to chug half my beer to wash it down. It wasn't bad at all, though, just a matter of preference. Next, I had the gyoza and stir-fried liver with chives, and again, the saltiness was strong. The retro Chinese atmosphere of the restaurant, with its nostalgic Showa-era feel, and the strong saltiness go hand in hand. It's a classic, nostalgic Chinese experience.