Ryuhou

In Setagaya Ward's Sakurajosui neighborhood, Chinese restaurant Ryuhou serves a dependable bowl of tantanmen. Combining gentle heat with a mellow broth, the dish balances seasoned minced meat over noodles with pleasant chew, creating an easygoing, comforting meal. Ordering the combo with gyoza dumplings and steamed rice turns it into a genuinely hearty lunch or dinner.

Beyond its sesame noodles, the shop provides an extensive selection of noodle soups, from tangy, peppery hot-and-sour noodles to understated scallion noodles and salt-broth chicken ramen. Those craving a fuller spread can look to the set meals, featuring generous mainstays such as twice-cooked pork and stir-fried pork liver with garlic chives paired with white rice.

Accented with panda-themed decor, the casual dining room offers an unpretentious atmosphere well-suited for dining solo. Small plates such as century eggs, river shrimp, and Chinese sausage pair naturally with draft beer or other drinks, making it just as handy for an informal drink on the journey home from work.