After work, I drove my car to this nearby shop and parked it in a coin parking lot. I arrived at the shop around 8:30 PM and sat at the counter. Looking at the menu, there were 5 noodle options, and when I asked for a recommendation, the staff suggested the popular "Dan Dan Noodles" (800 yen). The bowl was filled with minced meat, bean sprouts, chopped green onions, and bok choy, topped with chili oil. The soup had a rich flavor of chicken broth with a hint of sesame, and the chili oil added a spicy kick that was balanced and not too overpowering. The noodles were a curly type with a slightly soft and chewy texture that absorbed the soup well. The bok choy was tender, the bean sprouts and green onions were crunchy, and the pork mince blended well with the soup. Following the recommendation, I also ordered the "Gyoza" (400 yen), with half cabbage and half chive options. The cabbage gyoza had 3 pieces with a flavorful mix of meat and vegetables, while the chive gyoza had 4 pieces with a strong chive taste. Both had a crispy sear and tasted delicious with the homemade spicy sauce. The owner of the shop, a woman from China, was friendly and fluent in Japanese. The dishes had a hint of authenticity but were tailored to suit Japanese tastes, and the Dan Dan Noodles were flavorful without being too spicy.

At first glance, you might hesitate a bit, but go ahead and give it a try! It's worth it. The lunch set menu is extensive, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is great. There are 5 counter seats and 3 tables in a raised area for four people each. Even though it's a bit cramped, they kindly allowed us to sit at a table. The value for money is amazing here! I recommend the "Gyoza Set" for 650 yen, which comes with salad, rice, and soup. It's so cheap! You can choose between pork or cabbage gyoza, and I chose cabbage. The gyoza had a slight hint of authentic spices at first, but it gradually became delicious. The perfect cooking and 7 pieces per serving were a delight. They even asked about our preferences for spices. After the meal, we were served coffee and sweets, which was a nice touch. And then, they offered us a delicious chawanmushi as a service. It was fantastic! Apparently, it was a success this time, unlike yesterday's failed attempt. On days with 3 and 9, you can get ramen for 500 yen as a thank you. They don't have a garage, but you can use the parking at the nearby "Gyoza Kakumei" restaurant, which is currently closed due to a hip injury but will soon reopen in a new location in Kyoto with one parking space planned for June. You'll understand once you step in - it's a great restaurant!

The non-spicy tantanmen is flavorful with a good balance of spices. It truly captures the authentic taste made by Chinese chefs. The dumplings and xiaolongbao also have a unique taste, and you can adjust the flavor and spiciness with their homemade chili oil. Good!