Even though I just returned from China, I ended up at a Chinese restaurant again. I was invited by my friend who is a beautician to explore Fukakusa. As I walked through the residential area, I arrived at a place that felt just like China. There wasn't a single Japanese person among the staff or customers. When I looked at the menu, I was thrilled to see a wide variety of B-grade gourmet dishes from Beijing. I love them all and couldn't wait to try them. The dishes looked different from what I expected, but the taste was just like the authentic ones from China. I could see why there were always customers here. And most importantly, the prices were unbelievably cheap compared to those in Kyoto city. I will definitely come back here again.

Near Ryukoku University, there is a serious Chinese restaurant, and this time I visited here. Apart from the fact that the interior of the restaurant is too clean, it has the appearance of a local Chinese restaurant. Many of the customers who come here are Chinese, and Chinese language is flying around in the restaurant. The food itself was very delicious, with a real Chinese feel. The portions of each dish were large, so I couldn't try many different dishes, which was a shame. It might be more user-friendly for Japanese people if there were smaller, more affordable mini options. Thank you for the meal! Dishes Ordered: - Century Egg Tofu - Spicy Beef Tripe - Pig Ear with Onion - Cumin Beef - Beer x2

I wanted garlic fried rice, but they didn't have it. I ordered "beef and onion fried rice" and "pork dumplings" with a bottle of beer. The fried rice that came out was a lot! The taste was okay, but there was too much. I couldn't leave any because of my frugal nature. Nothing special to note about the taste. The pork dumplings were bigger than I expected, so it was a bit of a struggle. The taste was okay. Did I order wrong or is it just not to my liking? I won't say for sure. If asked if I would go again, well, maybe not for a while. It's quite close to authentic Chinese flavors, so be selective with your orders!

Another restaurant. As I explore the area, I notice that there are many Chinese restaurants with Chinese signage. They are not very noticeable as they are concentrated on one street. They are often found in residential areas on the back streets. Perhaps there are many Chinese students living here? This particular restaurant is a small establishment tucked away in a residential area. The customers and staff are mostly Chinese, and the menu and conversations are in Chinese. However, there are also Japanese translations on the menu and pictures to help. I considered ordering a lamb dish, but I couldn't imagine what it would be like, so I opted for something different. I ordered Steamed Chicken with Noodles (800 yen) and Three Kinds of Dumplings (550 yen). I also tried a dish called "White Chicken Oil Ling Daoxie Mian" which I couldn't read the characters for. It is a type of noodle dish with spicy oil. The noodles are thick and coated in oil and cayenne pepper, similar to "oil soba". The dish is flavorful and unique, not like traditional Japanese noodle dishes. It was delicious and interesting. The restaurant quickly filled up with Chinese students ordering takeout dishes like beef and pork buns with soup. The dumplings were small but filled with plenty of meat. I left feeling satisfied, but I think the broth-loving Japanese may have mixed opinions about this cuisine. Overall, it was a good experience, and I look forward to trying more dishes from their menu in the future, perhaps with a group to share the higher-priced items.

On a regular day around 13:30, there were 5 groups of customers with more than 10 people in total. Except for one foreigner, all were Chinese student groups. Even after 14:00, there were still many customers. The service was unfriendly. I ordered the steamed chicken Yopo noodles for ¥800 and the wild boar meat bun for ¥150. The noodles were wide, about 2cm, similar to udon with a smooth and chewy texture. The sauce was probably just chili oil, but it had a good aroma and tasted delicious. The steamed chicken topping was moist and tender with some fat, and the boiled greens were cooked well, exceeding my expectations. The bun was not as flavorful as a Japanese pork bun, but it was packed with filling and had a satisfying taste for its price. I think the flavors were delicious. The only downside might be the interaction with the staff. I wonder if the owner or manager is Japanese?

In the Nishiura area, there are many Chinese-owned Chinese restaurants. They all give a similar impression, but there are differences in the dishes and, of course, the flavors. This restaurant serves Shandong cuisine. It was bustling with Chinese customers, and we seemed to be the only Japanese. I ordered the chicken with Sichuan peppercorns and the pig's ear dish. The food here is a step above the similar Chinese restaurants nearby in terms of deliciousness. What was interesting was that even the rice was delicious. It was even better than the Kyoto standard. The pig's ear dish was quite tasty, and it was a shame that I couldn't have beer due to work. I will definitely visit this place again.

I went to a Chinese restaurant and I was the only customer around 11 o'clock. The signs in the store were mostly in Chinese, giving it an authentic feel. However, the staff spoke Japanese. I ordered cumin stir-fried lamb, but it took about 10 minutes for the lamb to arrive. It was not high-quality lamb, more like old mutton with lots of cumin and chili. It felt like a home-cooked meal. The soup that took even longer to arrive had a strong taste of old vegetables. Next time, I'll try the soy-braised pork with cartilage.

Yes, a new series (uncertain if it will continue). Fukakusa has a large Chinese population, and you can find many Chinese restaurants and shops selling Chinese products. It's like a small Chinatown, not as big as Yokohama or Kobe, but it might have a more authentic feel since it's not as touristy. The staff and customers are mostly Chinese, and the menu is primarily in Chinese. Let's explore such restaurants. This particular restaurant seems to have been open since around June this year. Initially, they seemed to only offer takeout. It's great that they are open from 9 am to 9 pm. When I entered the restaurant, I was the only customer, but most tables had dishes from previous customers. The menu is extensive for a small place. I chose the "Soy Sauce-braised Pork with Cartilage" set meal. When I tried to order in Japanese, I received a puzzled look, so I had to point to the item on the menu. There were seasonal specials on the wall, but they were only in Chinese, so I had no idea what they were. The dish arrived quickly. It was a large plate with a hefty chunk of meat. The flavor was similar to braised pork with cartilage, with a hint of Chinese spices. The meat was tender, and the chewy cartilage provided a nice contrast in texture. The rice was a bit dry and had a slight odor. The half-sized seasoned egg was uniquely flavored, not commonly found in ramen shops. The soup, though I initially thought it was hot and sour soup, turned out to be a regular chicken broth. The egg was nicely dispersed, and overall, it was well done. However, I believe the true essence of this restaurant lies in its à la carte menu, not set meals. It seems that their meat buns are popular, so I'd like to try them if I have the chance.

Mapo tofu, green pepper shredded pork, and dumplings.

I enjoyed authentic Chinese cuisine with a different taste from Japanese flavors with the Twice-Cooked Pork set meal.

Dumplings, stir-fried pork ears, shredded pork with green peppers, beer, Shaoxing wine.

The best Chinese restaurant I've been to so far. Great value for money. Delicious lamb with cumin, beef tripe, spicy fish hot pot, and two bottles of beer. You can eat your fill for around 4,000 yen for two people. Most of the customers seem to be Chinese exchange students. I can't wait to go back again.

Sweet and sour pork sauce, kombu and garlic dish.

The lamb knife-cut noodles.

Mapo tofu and fried rice are both very traditional and delicious.