燦燦斗 (Sansanto in Higashi-Jujo)

燦燦斗



Sansanto is considered one of the best tonkotsu shoyu bowls in Tokyo. And tough I am very late to the game on this one, I have to agree; this is one of the best bowls in town.



Just a few seconds from Higashi-Jujo, a station that is central enough to be considered convenient, but far enough that there isn't much around. Just a ramen shop and a shopping street that would only appeal to locals.



Homemade noodles. Always a good sign.



Keep in mind, Sansanto is open from 6pm until around 8:30pm. That is only two and a half hours a day. It boggles the mind that a shop this good wouldn't double their service and double their profits, but that is just another aspect of the Tokyo ramen scene that I love.



The small bowl of otsumami that comes with a beer is a preview of things to come. Some of the most tender, flavorful chashu in town. Shockingly good.



The ramen. This is a bowl to hunt out. Definitely in the Top 5 of it's style. Possible in the Top 5 overall bowls in Tokyo. People pointed to Kisso as the champ in the past, but this bowl at Sansanto is my personal winner. A slow-cooked soup, made from pork and chicken, blended with heaps of dried fish. Perfect noodles.

The chashu, previewed with the beer, is as good as it can get.





東京都北区中十条3-16-15
Tokyo, Kita-ku, Nakajujo 3-16-15
Closest station: Higashi-Jujo

Open 18:00-20:30
Closed Mondays and Thursdays

ばいこうけん (Baikoken in Tokyo)

ばいこうけん 東京



Hailing from Asahikawa, Baikoken took up residence in the new Kitte Building near Tokyo Station.



Kitte means postal stamp, and this building houses Tokyo's head post office.



As well as six floors of fancy shops.

This area of Tokyo, just west of Tokyo Station, is known as Marunouchi. It is very high-end, and walking down the tree-lined cobblestone streets you might think you aren't in Asia. Until you see the sheer number of zeros at the end of a price tag. I paid 600 yen for a croissant here the other day.



Back to Asahikawa, and ramen. Baikoken is on the famous side up in the far north, and their success over the last 45 years has led to outlets in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.



Here's my problem with Asahikawa Ramen. After eating at Hachiya on a long-ago trip to Hokkaido, I was spoiled for all future Asahikawa Ramen.

Not that this was a bad bowl, but it failed to impress the way that Asahikawa ramen does. It was deep, but not deep enough. The soup, shoyu in a thick pork broth, could have been a little more porky.



During their dinner service, the shop swerves up a variety of Hokkaido fare, including some nice local sake. I wouldn't be adverse to coming here at night someday in the future, but probably won't be back for the ramen-only lunch.



Official Site Here





東京都千代田区丸の内2-7-2 JPタワー KITTE 5F
Tokyo, Chioda-ku, Marunouchi 2-7-2
Closest station: Tokyo

Open 11:00-23:00
Sundays 11:00-22:00

GANCON NOODLE in Komagome

GANCON NOODLE



Gancon brings some tasty niboshi shoyu to Komagome Station on the Yamanote Line. This is a tough neighborhood, though, with similar tasting Tsuta and Kabochan within a few minutes walk.



The vibe is cool, and the signage alone was worth the trip.



How come you taste so good?



Well, this is a solid bowl that lives in the massive shadow of Tsuta.

I'd be more inclined to put this on my recommended list if there was anything around Komagome Station. Sure, famed Rikugien park is near, but that just isn't enough.



Official Site Here



東京都北区中里1-3-3
Tokyo, Kita-ku, Nakazato 1-3-3
Closest station: Komagome

Open 11:00-21:00
Sundays until 19:00
Closed Mondays and some Tuesdays