OCHIAI STATION: Chuka-Soba Chigonoki Fish Broth Ramen... impressive 3.85 foodie ranking! (Canon s120)

Coronavirus and the guys are still working on my leaky roof... so once again I head out during this pandemic to have ramen lunch with them.  

Top line was the shop most recommended Niboshi (Fish Broth) ramen but the 2nd row in pink is the same dish but they add Seh-Abura (Fatty Lard)... I shoulda gotten that!

But went for the top row with a seasoned boiled egg topping (plus 100 yen).

There must have been a regular at the counter because the ramen chef was all smiles...

If you are interested in where they source the noodles here you go!

The bowl was so unusually small with not much soup!  But beneath the slice of boiled chicken and super tender pork was a huge ball of thin al'dente noodles. 

The pork almost looked rare... similar to roast beef.

The broth was a mild fishy niboshi flavor.  It won't overwhelm you but I do prefer something thats more stinky flavorful.  I totally finished all the soup this day. 

Egg is egg... can't get too excited about this. 

They are listed in top 100 Ramens with an impressive 3.85 Tabelog foodie ranking.  But if you want to try a Michelin rated ramen spot that serves the same stye gotta try Kane Kitchen Noodles :  

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2019/06/higashi-nagasaki-kine-kitchen-noodles.html

Restaurant: Chukasoba Chigoniki

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131901/13154006/

Twitter: 中華そば 児ノ木 @chigonokinoodle

Address J:  東京都新宿区上落合1-5-3

Address E:  Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Kamiochiai 1-5-3

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/xv3w8iP8keb4WQTG8

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NERIMAKASUGACHO: Maiko-Ya Chinese Restaurant... this place is old skool cozy! (Sony RX100)

I'm so spooked to go into very old Japanese / Chinese super local restaurants because I think very few foreingers dine at these kind of restaurants.  I've lived in the area 5 years and was always tempted to go in but the glass sliding doors are not see-thru with no menu anywhere outside.

BUT!  One of the construction guys working on my home asked if we go goto lunch... MY CHANCE!  I would definitely be more comfortable going with a Japanese person.

Must be a middle aged husband and wife team that greeted us with a friendly Irrashaimaseh (Welcome).   Wow!  Nice. 

Daily special 650 yen set was sold out so I went with the remaining Tempura Squid with Cold Noodles for only 700 yen. 

Ramen is only 450 yen!  Super reasonable menu items.

Lucky to miss the lunch crowd but then again this place is not so conveniently located.  I would say most lunch goers work in small companies nearby or local resdents. 

This is all me! Wow... What a great balance of seafood, chilled noodles, tofu and seasoned cucumber. It was such an at home meal.

Very flavorful tempura sauce that seeped into the rice.  Yum!

Japanese government passed sticked Non-Smoking laws due to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  As of April 1st 2020 there is no smoking at all restaurants in Japan.  SUPER!

The construction worker ordered Charsiu Ramen and half size of fried rice.

I have never seen fried rice so colorful... very nice. 

Japan has always had Uber Eats delivery style but they just didn't monopolize on it... Anyways I'm definitely going back here!!  So reasonable and just so heartwarming good. 

I went back!  700 yen lunch special this day.

Oh no... Closed for Golden Week Holidays!  UGH...

700 yen Katsu Curry after Golden Week!  Meh... the curry was too mild meh but the pork katsu was super meaty!  700 yen.

Restaurant: Maikoya

Tabelog foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132102/13080957/

Address J: 東京都練馬区春日町3-11-11

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Kasugacho 3-11-11

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/LudUyhXtvzQomAJp8

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NERIMA: Drillman Ramen finally! I'm so spooked by coronavirus but joined 2 guys for lunch. (Sony RX100)

Finally made it to the famous Michelin Guide ramen entry at their newest spot in Nerima! Previously enjoyed their ramen near St. Paul Rikkyo University but it was rather inconveniently located in Ikebukuro. 

Normally the store recommended is on the top left corner and it seems Chuka-Soba was it... but I went for the green button one over for the Niboshi Fish broth ramen.  You rarely find me pushing any button over 800 yen but his day my friendw as paying!  1,080 yen without hesitation. 

Interior could have easily been confused for an Italian or French restaurant.

So fancy for a Ramen shop. 

This is me!  Soup was not fishy at all and enjoyed the mellow-ness. 

Noodles thick and chewy... Char-siu slices each a had a different tenderness.

The staff was very young thus Black Eyed Peas and Justin Bieber on the BGM.

The 2 guys I was with completed wiped out their bowls... Overal it was a very solid shoyu based ramen.  If in Nerima you can't go wrong.

Restaurant: Drillman Nerima Branch

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132102/13238895/

Address J: 東京都練馬区豊玉北5-18-6

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Toyotamakita 5-18-6
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/zvFWqD3iJEGeqXJT6

ドリルマン, DRILLMAN, ラーメン, 油そば, DRILLMAN練馬, 池袋ドリルマン, basso, Japan, Japanese, noodes, ramen, tsukemen, dipping noodes, sony rx100, nerima, sakuradai, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly,

TOSHIMAEN: CLOSED 6/30/2022) Kissa Gogo (Cafe PM) for coronavirus lunch burger set! Little mom and pop cafe. (Sony RX100)

Doing some leaky roof repair on my home and took two of the construction workers to lunch barely anything was open due to coronavirus.  Randomly strolled by Kissa-Gogo (Cafe PM) and an elderly lady popped her head out... that was it we were committed. 

Very old school cafe thats been around for over 40 years.  The ederly couple own the entire building!

The husband and wife were featured on a famous Japanese TV program that features dirty restaurants.  

The elderly husband was sitting at the entrance and chatted us up about how many celebrities including Arashi dined at this place.  He was mummy old... live long.

It sounded like they were playng AFN radio (Armed Forces Network).

Went with the shop recommended hamburger curry and hambuger rice set that the Japanese band Arashi enjoyed... they beat out Tayor Swift for most sold album in 2020. 

My Hamburger Rice Set!  Came with a side of soup, ketchup pasta (very traditional Japanese style) and salad mayo topping.

Very soft hamburger.. perfect for little children and the elderly.

The curry set... 

And closed with a cold English tea!  Overall the atmosphere takes you back and the staff were very friendly... as for the burger I would go elsewhere. 

Closed permanently on June 30, 2022.  Building is now for sale.

売物件、住友不動産販売 , 練馬営業センター

Restaurant: Kissa Gogo

Restaurant J: 喫茶午後

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132102/13157766/

Address J: 東京都練馬区練馬4-15-15

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Nerima 4-15-15
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/GYoUEAJUomSEaspH7

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