IKEBUKURO: Vegipota Tsukemen En-Ji! Vegetable based Tonkotsu Fish Broth... heavy and tasty!

Opened in April 2013 but I never knew until nearly a year later~... Had to go!

There 3 types of soups but always hit up the top left corner button if you are new!  As you go to the right it adds a flavored egg, extra meat, then finally egg and extra meat.

Free "Muryou" 1.5x noodle upgrade "Oomori"

There are 2 types of noodles vs the 3 at Kichijoji. 

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.jp/2013/11/kichijoji-tsukemen-enji-for-some.html

Guess this little dog was the shop mascot.

Incredibly friendly service and when I mentioned how great the Kichijoji shop was the chef walked over to say thanks.  Friendly crew...

800yen plus 100yen for the egg!

If you like your noodles hot then ask for "Atsumori" otherwise they will rinse it in cold water to retain the texture.

The soup was nice and thick... clung to the noodles so well. Vegetable based pork and fish broth soup...

+100yen for the seasoned egg "Aji Tama"

The lighter color (Motsu Chili Men) has more of a "mochi mochi" chewy texture vs the darker slight chewiness but had a more firm texture.  Lots of vitamins and minerals in the noodles.

The two types of noodles here.

Sometime you'll run low on soup so just ask for a little refill.

When you are done with the noodles add this "Wafu Wari Soup" to the left over soup.  Its the noodle water... mellows out the thick flavor of the soup and warms it up too.

No longer will I have to goto Kichijoji to enjoy this great dish of ramen... there was a fairly young crowd in their 20's and a few very pretty girls. Give it a go after Koike Izakaya!

Ramen shop: Vegipota Tsukemen Enji

Ramen Website: http://www.takumen.com/products/50

Foodie Tabelog Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13154278/

Address J: 東京都豊島区池袋2-48-2 レスタージュ池袋 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Ikebukuro 2-48-2

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/srwH4

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IKEBUKURO: Sushi Izakaya Koike... Draft Beer prices are going up! But still crazy cheap at 130yen~

Invitation for beers at Koike! Of course! Its my regular watering hole in Ikebukuro.

But times have changed and the prices are going up!  January all Sapporo draft beers, whisky hi-balls and sours are 130yen (up from 100yen last year).  On Fridays and days before holidays are 180yen.

Kawa-Ebi (mini fried shrimp) a staple for me.

And of course the Avocado Toro Roll... 

Each table has its own button so the service is incredibly quick.

Seems the beer prices will eventually reach 180yen~.

Racks on top to place your coats and bags

Sashimi set "take-mori" only 1,680yen.

Specials... Yakitori, Udon, Yaki-Udon...

The Sushi counter with Tabasco!  I never realized they had Tabasco~... 

No College University students allowed... cause the youth of Japan can seriously drink a ton... You'll mostly see salarymen, OL's and elderly here.

Overall always a great spot and just an FYI post to let you know beer prices though very minimal are going up!  But in a town where beers are usually 400-600yen you just can't beat Koike.

Restaurant: Sushi Izakaya Koike

Foodie Tabelog Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13133702/

Address J: 東京都豊島区東池袋1-20-18

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Higashi Ikebukuro 1-20-18
MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/AQSPg

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すし居酒屋小池,  居酒屋, 寿司, 小池, 池袋, Japanese, Japan, Foodie, sushi, sashimi, pub, tokyobelly, cheap, beer, sake,