Ryunoko: Recommended Ramen
Until last month, the undisputed king of noodles in Japan (don’t say it’s just my opinion… it’s a damned fact!) was the tantanmen 坦々麺 at Kohmen 光麺. When people said, “But, you have to try this or that place. It’s…” I always cut them off with, “Meh, you don’t have a clue so save it.” That’s how much I loved Kohmen’s tantanmen.
Anyway, about two years ago, one of my best friends told me how this place in Tokorozawa had the best noodles ever. I was like, “Tokorozawa? Why the hell would the best anything be out there?” This was about the time that I first tried Kohmen.
However, fate, working in the funny way it does, had me end up working my last assignment with my former company at it’s branch in Tokorozawa. Now, let me say that Tokorozawa is not a bad little town, even if it is in Saitama. And, you know what? There are some nice restaurants out there.
Each day, as I made my way from Tokorozawa Station to the office, I would pass a little hole-in-the-wall Sichuan style Chinese restaurant that advertised tantanmen as it’s specialty. When I mentioned the place to a co-worker, he said “Oh yeah, that place is kind of famous for its tantanmen.” Oh, really?, I thought, and made a promise to myself to try it before my time working in Tokorozawa was up.
As things played out, I ended up going to that restaurant with some co-workers twice before I finished up with the company and guess what? Kohmen’s tantanmen has officially become the second-best bowl of noodles in Japan. Ryunoko’s (the restaurant’s name - 龍の子) white sesame tantanmen 白ごま坦々麺 is the mofo’n bomb, yo! I had to eat crow and tell my friend he was right about the place.
So, if you love Sichuan-style Chinese food, definitely hit up Ryunoko. And, if you consider yourself a connoisseur of noodles, particularly the spicy stuff, do the tantanmen there. Try it before you leave Japan or risk having your time here become nothing but a pathetic waste.
An American living in Tokyo. Can be seen bounding through Shinjuku Station most mornings, teeth gnashing, eyes bulging, a cup of cheap coffee clenched in one fist and a satchel in the other. God help those who don't see him coming.
August 19th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
You sold me Biily(besides I don’t think I want to be slapped around or regret my six years here) so next time I’m in that neck of the backwoods I’ll be sure to pop in. Good post!
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August 20th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Looks awesome!! I could grind 2 or 3 of them!! Good to see your still alive bro!
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August 20th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Will have to give it a try, Billy. And gotta love the obligatory beer also in the shot!
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August 20th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Yeah, I think I can do two. But, that would cut down on my beer intake
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August 20th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Ramen without beer? Unthinkable!
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August 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 am
Thanks for the pointer. I’m always down for some ramen and if you say it’s - the mofo’n bomb, yo! - then it’s a must for me.
I always enjoy your posts!!
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August 22nd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Looking at those pics again has made me start drooling. Can you give directions from the station?
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August 23rd, 2009 at 9:32 am
Sure, man.
Exit the station and head down Prope Street, the little shotengai off to the right. Go almost all the way down, and turn right just before the konbini on the corner (Sunkus, I think). You’ll find it about half a block down on the right.
Good luck finding it.
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August 25th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Man, all these noodles I gotta try. For the longest time I thought there was just udon, ramen, and soba. Then along came somen and turned my world upside down. And now I’m hearing about all this other stuff like tantanmen. Where does it end?
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August 27th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Easy answer, pal… It ends right here, with Ryunoko tantanmen!!! Are you listening to what I’m saying?!! DO NOT MISS THE CHANCE TO TRY THESE NOODLES!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND??!!
Ok, I overdid it there. Time to take a breather
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August 27th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Heh heh…I’ll keep it in mind, should I ever be in Tokyo again.
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August 28th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Looks real spicy. This reminds me of the “spiciest pan mee in the world” I had some months back (FYI: pan mee are flat noodles served with minced pork).
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August 29th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Ok, maybe I’m slightly dyslexic or something, but when I first breezed through your comment, it took like 30 seconds to figure out you weren’t talking about “man pee.”
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August 29th, 2009 at 7:18 am
You aren’t the first one to make that mistake….I actually posted the receipt up on my site as proof. Apologies for the poor image resolution. I was using a camera phone in dim settings.
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October 7th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Billy, I’ll have to try your Tokorozawa ramen joint before I start in about Wanshiichii, the ramen joint below Sangubashi Station. Like you, I was a Kohmen fan but then my coworker introduced me to miso tantanmen at this Chinese noodle heaven.
Try a bowl and tell me if it measures up.
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