Senjuken

Hanging its noren curtain along Shoniwa-dori, Senjuken is an unpretentious, old-school machi chuka (neighbourhood Chinese diner) that makes an easy everyday stop. A lunchtime favourite is the A Set, which pairs ramen with a mini portion of chahan (fried rice). The ramen features medium-thin curly noodles swimming in a clear, light soy-sauce broth, topped simply with honest staples: sliced chashu pork, seasoned bamboo shoots (menma), and a slice of naruto fish cake. Beside it, the wok-fried rice arrives aromatic and garnished with bright red pickled ginger, encouraging an easy rhythm between bites of rice and sips of savoury soup.

A Wide Selection of Noodles and Stir-Fries

The noodle list offers plenty of variety, including wonton-men with delicate, tender wrappers, a loaded gomoku wonton-men with assorted toppings, and vegetable-packed tanmen where the sweetness of the greens melts into the soup. The kitchen also turns out a full roster of à la carte stir-fries, such as reba-nira (liver and garlic chives), pork with vegetables, and mapo tofu, all of which easily convert into a hearty meal when ordered with a bowl of steamed rice.

Inside, a layout of counter seats and tables accommodates both quick solo lunches and relaxed meals. Note that payment is cash only, so make sure to carry yen before dropping in to enjoy the straightforward, robust flavours typical of Tokyo's downtown shitamachi quarters.