タンタンタイガー (Tantan Tiger in Asakusa)

タンタンタイガー



Anytime I hear of a new soupless tantanmen spot, I get excited. I love that hit of spice and sansho, Chinese numbing pepper. The more the better!



I learned a lesson today. More isn't always better. When the master asked the levels of spice, I went normal. As for the numbing pepper, I went 大. I went big.

It wasn't until my third or fourth bite that I actually read the info sheet (more of a warning sheet). For the 辛さ, the spiciness, the middle is the shop's standard, and recommended for normal people. I can attest, it was just right. But the 痺れ, numbing level, has a different suggestions. For first timers, go 小, go small. If you like bitter, go normal. If you are a bit crazy, go big.



So yeah, this one was way over-spiced, a folly that was completely my fault. I powered through, but didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. Those pre-shock bites, the first, second, and third, were great.



Tantan Tiger has a selection of side veggies; avocado, tomato, and cilantro among others.



A lovely onsen tamago helped the heat a bit.



I was with the staff of MOTO NAVI magazine, and as they were featuring me in their magazine, I had to save face and finish the entire bowl. The good thing about sansho is that it doesn't linger.

So yeah, I recommend this one, but go medium or less on the spice.

東京都台東区鳥越2-2-1
Tokyo, Taito-ku, Toritoge 2-2-1
3 minute walk from Kuramae Station

Open 11:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00
Closed Saturday

勝本 (Katsumoto in Jimbocho)

神田 勝本



Jimbocho has never been lacking in terms of ramen, so when a new shop comes in, they had better bring their A game.



I found out about this shop from one of the annual Tokyo ramen magazines. Katsumoto was giving a fairly high ranking in the field of rookie shops for the category of tsukemen with a clear soup. Yes, that is very specific. You should take these rankings with a grain of salt, as the field can be quite sparse. Although many ramen shops open and close in Tokyo every year, the number in each category can be small.



I'm not a huge fan of lighter tsukemen, but the bowl here has something special.



Two kinds of noodles. Thick, and thin.



All in all, having two kinds of noodles was a gimmick to me, and it meant that, though I liked one more, I also liked one less. The thinner of the lot paled next to the thick, chewy noodles in the back.

東京都千代田区猿楽町1-2-4
Tokyo, Chioda-ku, Sarugakucho 1-2-4
Closest station: Jimbocho

Open 11:00-17:00
Closed Sundays

佐市 (Saichi in Hatagaya)

麺や 佐市



Oyster ramen! And not just some random bowl with an oyster topping. This new shop cooks their soup with the shellfish, pulling out the maximum umami that these little guys hold.



You might as well get a side of oyster snacks while you wait.



Very interesting bowl. Personally, I love it, but could see some people not being into this oyster ramen.



The soup is liquid oyster gold. Almost like drinking concentrated extract. I'd like to hear the opinion of one of my oyster nerd friends. The soup is free of chemical seasoning, something I always like to see. Almost all ramen shops in Japan rely on a pinch of Ajinomoto, pure MSG, for that extra bit of umami. Here, that strong oyster flavor comes packed with plenty of natural MSG. Nothing more needed.



Although this shop has failed to become very popular, I think it is at least worth a try.

東京都渋谷区幡ヶ谷2-6-7
Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Hatagaya 2-6-7
Closest station: Hatagaya

Hours aren't official yet, but it looks like 11:30am until midnight.