Hyperlocal Tokyo

I visited during the weekday lunch hour. The restaurant was almost full, but I was able to get a table right away. They only accept cash and you pay after you eat. You order verbally before sitting down. I ordered the Taarotan Tan Tan Men, Chiisui Ryamen, and Shumai. Rice came free. The Taarotan Tan Tan Men came out first, and it wasn't as red as I expected, it looked a bit thin. I took a sip of the soup first, and it had a unique aroma, like star anise, and it was delicious. The noodles were thin and had a firm, authentic Chinese noodle flavor and texture. They were also light, almost like somen noodles, making them very easy to eat. The meat was tender and flavorful, though the seasoning was lighter than I expected. The Chiisui Ryamen was served cold, and while it had the same weight as regular noodles, it was light and refreshing, like a combination of jajamen and banbanji. Finally, I had the Shumai. They weren't the kind that burst with juice, but they were packed with meaty flavor and went perfectly with the mustard. The turnover rate was pretty good, and while the Tan Tan Men was hot, it wasn't too spicy. The light noodles were perfect for a summer meal. I'll definitely come back again if I'm in the area.

Established in 1964 by a student of Chen Jianmin, "Shina-men Hashigo (Bridge of Wisdom)" is a specialty dan dan noodle restaurant. Located near Taimei Elementary School and the Corridor Street, this area is known for its abundance of drinking establishments, making it a popular spot for those seeking a satisfying dan dan noodle dish as a late-night meal. (Note: "担々麺" is pronounced "dandanmen" in Japanese.) The restaurant features a long counter seating arrangement only. When I visited around 7 pm, there was a line of about 30 people, but the turnover was surprisingly fast, and I was seated within about 5 minutes (laughs). I ordered the basic "dandanmen." The noodles were straight and thin. The soup was light and not overly spicy, with a mellow sesame flavor and a soy sauce base, making it a fairly orthodox taste. It was lighter than I expected, so I finished the entire bowl of soup (laughs). I later learned that you can customize the spiciness, noodle firmness, and amount of yuzu in the soup. ◼︎ Order Dandanmen (担々麺) ¥900 __________________________________ Please follow me on Instagram ❤︎ Yoko Kawamura (@yoko_kawamura_)

I was craving dan dan noodles and decided to try this place for the first time. It was around 7 PM and there was a line of about 10 people. I wasn't sure how to wait since the staff didn't say anything, but it seems like you're supposed to sit on the long benches along the wall, starting from the back. Since it was my first time, I ordered the regular dan dan noodles, dumplings, and shumai. The shumai were so meaty and juicy! They were absolutely delicious! I was blown away. The dumplings were quite large! The menu suggested eating them with vinegar and mustard, and they were right. The filling was flavorful, and this combination was the best! The dan dan noodles were served with thin noodles. I personally would have liked them to be a bit richer, but they were still delicious! The yuzu flavor in the aftertaste was nice. I'll have to try the pork cutlet noodles next time!

This place is known for its delicious dan dan noodles! I personally love their Zācai Dan Dan Noodles, but I haven't had a chance to try other menu items yet. I definitely want to! Last time, the rice was a bit too watery, which was a bit disappointing, but it was still delicious when eaten with the pickled radish that they serve on the table (thinly sliced!). They also have gyoza and other side dishes, so I'd love to try those next time. They've recently renovated and the space feels a bit bigger now! If you don't want to wait in line, try going a little before 6 PM. You'll be able to get in smoothly!

Spicy Pork Chop Dan Dan Noodles The broth was light and thin. While it lacked the richness I crave in a sesame-based Dan Dan, the Sichuan peppercorns provided a nice kick. The noodles were straight and thin, with a neutral flavor. The pork chop was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, very flavorful. The free rice was a welcome addition. It's impressive that they can offer such a good meal at this price in a prime location like Ginza. Kudos to their business philosophy!