First of all, when I entered the restaurant, I was the only customer. It had a traditional Chinese feel, run by what seemed like an elderly Chinese couple. Most of the customers appeared to be Chinese as well. I thought there would be more people since the photos of the food looked delicious, but it was just me around 12:30 pm. The restaurant seemed to be managed by the Chinese couple, with the wife serving as the waitress. They were chatting happily in Chinese the whole time. I couldn't understand what they were saying. As for the food, I decided to try the Lanzhou beef noodles, which cost 980 yen. It didn't take long for the dish to arrive. It was something I had never tasted before, a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine. The coriander was delicious, and there was a fried egg on top. It was quite interesting. Overall, it was pretty tasty. I might try their curry noodles next time.

During lunchtime, I visited a restaurant and pondered over the menu. I wanted to try something authentic that truly reflected the ethnic cuisine of Lanzhou, even if it meant spending a little more money. However, my first choice was not available, so I opted for Lanzhou beef noodles instead. When I placed my order, I could hear the sound of noodles being freshly made with a loud "bash" - similar to the technique used at a restaurant in Nippori called "Mazoku". These noodles were very long, making it a challenge to eat without getting out of breath! The soup had a subtle flavor, but I could taste the rich broth. Unlike other places, there was no overpowering smell. The irregular noodles soaked up the soup well, similar to the "ran-kiri" noodles at Fuji Soba. I recommend adding some table chili oil for a dramatic change in flavor! It suddenly felt like I was transported to the Silk Road with this magical transformation in taste. Although it was cheaper than my original choice, I felt like I truly enjoyed a taste of the local cuisine. Note: Taking photos of the menu is not allowed. I wonder why...

- Previous Tabelog rating: 3.46 (September 2022) - Genre: Ramen - Items consumed: - Lanzhou Beef Noodle (780 yen) - Homemade Small Wonton (600 yen) - Overall review: They specialize in noodles that are made after you order them! They pull the noodles long and thin, which is their unique selling point! All the dishes were delicious for the price. Although there were some issues like items being out of stock and difficult customer service, the taste was great! Note that taking photos of the menu is not allowed! - Lanzhou Beef Noodle (probably 780 yen): I liked the aroma of the boiled egg! The noodles were slightly chewy, a bit soft. When pulled, they seem to stretch a bit. The soup had a good flavor! It looks light, but it has a deep taste. It has coriander in it, so be careful if you don't like it! - Homemade Small Wonton (600 yen): It has lots of cherry shrimp and rock seaweed! It's packed with umami flavor and I liked it. It has a strong sesame oil aroma, which is a good seasoning! The wonton has a small amount of filling, which I like. I eat wonton for the skin, so I don't need much filling. It has coriander in it, so be careful if you don't like it! - Interior: Tables and counter with a miscellaneous feel. - Crowdedness: It was not busy. - Customer service: Rough. - Difficulty for a woman dining alone: I could go alone, but that customer service might mess with your head!

A couple runs this Lanzhou ramen shop. It was my first time trying Lanzhou ramen, so I was nervous when I entered. Although I thought I should play it safe and order the standard Lanzhou beef ramen for my first time, I decided to go for the curry flavor to add some excitement. After placing my order, the owner energetically stretched and prepared the noodles right in front of me. It was very exciting! - Curry beef ramen: The soup had a strong curry flavor from curry powder, but it didn't seem to have sharp spices, making it surprisingly mild and easy to drink. The base of the soup seemed to be beef bone broth, giving it a mellow and flavorful taste. The cilantro added just the right amount of exotic flavor without being overpowering due to being finely chopped. - Noodles: The noodles were chewy and slightly translucent. They had a texture similar to Kamut noodles, with a starchy feel. The noodles were on the softer side, enhancing the chewy texture. The delicious noodles and mild soup made it a dish I could enjoy anytime without being influenced by my mood. Thank you for the meal.

This is the oldest establishment of Lanzhou Beef Noodle restaurants near the west exit of Ikebukuro. For some reason, in my neighborhood of Ikebukuro 2-chome, there are three branches of this Lanzhou Beef Noodle restaurant. One is "Lanzhou Ramen Shop Kaensan," where Chinese people used to line up to eat when it first opened. Another is "Sabei Lanzhou Beef Noodle," originally offering various dishes from northwestern China, but now mainly focusing on noodle dishes. And then there is this restaurant. I visited it for the first time about 10 years ago and have been back several times, but recently it has been a while. In terms of menu options, it definitely has the most variety. However, I always go for the usual. "Lanzhou Beef Noodle" (780 yen) + "Beef in Soy Sauce" (450 yen) - as shown in the photo. Coming back after a long time, I could clearly see the differences between the three branches. The Lanzhou Beef Noodle at this restaurant has the most opaque soup among the three. As a result, the aroma of the beef bone-based soup is stronger. It has a similar feel to Korean dishes like Komtang or Seolleongtang. Also, the noodles are the thickest and softest here. While you can choose your noodles at the other two branches, maybe I just never did. Of course, they make the noodles from scratch after you order. It's really delicious. It gives off a homely vibe, like something cooked at home rather than a restaurant dish. The beef in soy sauce, I've been eating it for about 10 years. It used to have less sauce, but recently it seems to have increased. When you chew it, the flavor seeps out. It's delicious to my liking. I asked them to leave out the cilantro. When I first discovered this restaurant, I could tolerate cilantro to some extent, but recently I've grown to dislike it more. There are different types of cilantro, and maybe I don't like the ones that are more common nowadays. Thank you for the meal. I had a feeling that I might start coming here regularly again, like a new trend. The restaurant is messy and far from clean, but that actually adds to its charm with a homey and authentic feel. Both the father and mother running the place are as nice as ever. (By Kyoka Shukuu, 5/26/2022) (46 reviews/3.45)

Sichuan spicy dan dan noodles (750) and spicy cucumber salad (300). I always end up ordering them at Chinese restaurants even though I think I could make them cheaper at home! I love the spicy, sweet, and sour flavors. It's a budget-friendly and convenient place to eat. 😊

When it comes to ramen, it's served quickly, but gyoza takes time to cook. If you order them together, be prepared to finish your ramen first and then wait for the gyoza to arrive. The ramen has plenty of soup, noodles, and toppings, and even at the new price, it's a good deal. It seems like a fun way to enjoy coming with a group of people at night.

I love Lanzhou beef noodles, so I have tried various hand-pulled noodles such as thin noodles, triangular noodles, and belt noodles at different restaurants. However, after seeing a post by Mairevi-san about curry-flavored beef noodles, I was intrigued and visited Gokuraku Lanzhou Ramen in Ikebukuro for consecutive meals. I ordered the curry beef noodles for 780 yen, added coriander for an extra 100 yen, and rice for an additional 100 yen. When I asked the proprietress about the abundance of Lanzhou noodle shops in the area, she explained that each shop is different. The curry-flavored beef noodles here are of the Shanghai type, with homemade spicy seasoning. I enjoyed adding my favorite coriander to the spicy curry beef noodles and enhancing the heat with the proprietress's homemade chili oil. After finishing the noodles, I added rice to the remaining soup to create a delicious curry risotto. It was a delightful meal.

This is my first visit for lunch on a regular day. It's about a 5-minute walk from the north side of Ikebukuro Station West Exit. There are many continental Chinese restaurants in this area, and it seems that there are also several Lanzhou ramen shops. I ordered the "Curry Beef Ramen" for 780 yen. When you place your order, they stretch and beat the noodles vigorously, so they must be made fresh for each order. The "Curry Beef Ramen" comes with dark red beef, half a boiled egg, and what seems to be green onions and cilantro. The soup has a slightly ethnic feel but is a light curry flavor. The noodles are slightly translucent and have a smooth texture. I was expecting a rich and impactful curry flavor, but the overall taste is more like a slightly light and refreshing curry ramen.

I got off at Ikebukuro in search of Lanzhou Ramen. Lanzhou Beef Noodle 780 Pakuchi has a distinctive smell and taste that I really like. The soup is generally light and seems good for the body. You can safely slurp just the soup. It reminded me of Yangtze River Ramen in Osaka. The beef is just average. The restaurant is small, like a ramen shop or Chinese restaurant, but the menu is rich with dishes like Stir-Fried Crayfish for 2000. I would like to come back here at night.

Recently, I often see Lanzhou Ramen around Kita-Ikebukuro. The place has a slightly run-down sign with the words "Lanzhou Ramen". Beyond the weathered door is already a different country. The interior has a strong local feel. The menu posted on various walls has Japanese written on it, but the main language is probably Chinese. There are many tempting menu items, but I ordered the Lanzhou Ramen here. The soup is a delicious, rich soup with a strong flavor. It brings out the unique aroma of beef bones without becoming unpleasant. The balance is just right, with plenty of umami. The noodles are straight noodles with an excellent texture. The noodles vary in thickness, so they are likely hand-made. The cilantro also adds a nice accent to the flavor without being overpowering. Every ingredient is doing its job properly. It's delicious from the first bite, but none of the flavors are too strong. It's a taste that makes you want to eat more. I definitely want to try other menu items at this restaurant.

It is located a little away from Ikebukuro Station. I wanted to eat Lanzhou ramen, so I aimed for this shop, but on the way, I was drawn to the Lanzhou ramen shop "Kaneyama" which was full even at the halfway point at 4:00 pm, but I stuck to my original plan and went to this shop. The shop was not crowded. The menu includes various regional dishes such as Longjing shrimp, squirrel mandarin fish, sliced lamb, and Taiwanese beef noodles. - Lanzhou Beef Ramen 780 yen The shop owner started making the noodles. There was a loud banging sound. The noodles were served in less than 10 minutes. The toppings included 3 slices of beef, boiled egg, green onions, and coriander. The beef had a hint of cumin aroma. The coriander was fresh and fragrant. If you are not a fan of these two ingredients, it might be a bit strong. I like Lanzhou ramen with daikon, but this shop's version did not have it. The noodles varied in thickness, shape, and texture. Some may be concerned about the uneven thickness of the noodles, but I enjoyed the different textures and thought this style was good. The chewy handmade noodles were delicious. The soup was a milky white beef bone broth with a good umami taste. It was light but flavorful. You can adjust the taste with the spicy sauce on the table. Despite looking small, I was full and the meal was satisfying.

Located along the dangerous street of Ikebukuro, "Heiwadori," is the restaurant Gokuraku Ranzou Ramen. One day, while strolling down Heiwadori, I saw a guy at the entrance making handmade noodles. I couldn't resist and struck up a conversation with him, and since I was hungry, I decided to go inside. I was so impressed by the deliciousness of the ramen that I ended up going back more than 10 times over the next few years. According to the wiki, Ranzou Ramen is a dish that consists of "noodles stretched by hand and boiled in beef soup." I believe the key point is the handmade noodles. I didn't take any photos, so the picture below is of a different ramen, but it was also delicious. It tasted just like what you would have in China. They also have some other menu items besides noodles, so you can also use it as a casual izakaya. Highly recommended.

This is a restaurant that a knowledgeable acquaintance took me to, specializing in Chinese cuisine. It is run by Chinese people, giving it an authentic feel. The spicy mapo ramen is just spicy enough for someone like me who isn't good with spice, and it warms up the body. The lamb dumplings with wings are easy to eat, with a good amount of spice and no strong smell. However, be careful as the champon that my acquaintance was eating looks like champon but actually has a strong lamb flavor inside!

I arrived in Ikebukuro. Now, what should I eat? Let's pick up on this trend of Lanzhou ramen. I chose a shop that is a bit away from Ikebukuro Station. When I arrived in front of the shop, there didn't seem to be any other customers. It felt quite intimidating. I hesitated on what to do, but since I had come all this way, I mustered up the courage to go in. These kinds of shops make me more nervous than when I was living abroad (laughs). The menu is written in Japanese, so I felt relieved, and there was only one previous customer. I sat at the counter and looked at the menu. There were also Shanghai and Taiwanese dishes, giving an impression of Lanzhou noodles as well. Now, as planned, I ordered the Lanzhou beef noodles. It didn't take long for the food to come out. For a beef noodle dish, there were only 3 or 4 pieces of meat. That's a bit disappointing. Let's try it right away. The most impressive thing was the soup, with plenty of green onions and cilantro. For those who don't like cilantro, it might be a challenge. Honestly, the soup has a light taste, and the strong aroma of cilantro is felt, similar to Vietnamese or Thai cuisine. The noodles were hand-stretched, giving them a unique texture. They have a chewy center but a springy surface. This was quite delicious. The soup didn't have an overpowering artificial taste, which was great. The boiled egg had a unique Chinese seasoning, which might be a bit of an acquired taste. But I think it's delicious. I finished it in no time. Lanzhou ramen is quite good. I might like it more than the overly rich Japanese soup. I feel like trying it at another shop in Ikebukuro as well.

I started adding comments to the restaurant I visited before when I have time. They are open late, and I visited them for a late dinner. Watching the handmade noodles being made while sipping on beer was a great experience. The noodles were ready in a reasonable amount of time and tasted delicious. It seems like this restaurant is loved by locals. I have visited a few times now.

◆Late Night Drinking in Ikebukuro After a meeting with my Chinese friend in Ikebukuro, we headed to his favorite spot "Goku Lanzhou Ramen". Just like "Shichisai", they make the noodles from scratch after you order, giving them a chewy texture that you can't find in Japanese-style ramen. The unique Lanzhou-style ramen, featuring Chinese ingredients like star anise, was a real treat. We enjoyed two different types of noodles with distinct flavors. ⚫︎Lanzhou Ramen: 680 yen ◾︎Foodie Maro http://instagram.com/menterromaro/ https://ameblo.jp/korinai-menmen/

◆I enjoyed delicious Lanzhou ramen made with authentic hand-pulled noodles during my ramen food tour in Tokyo.◾︎Foodie Maro

The interior of the shop has a Chinese town vibe, but the food has a strong continental feel. The noodles are chewy and the flavor is rich with a street food vibe. Looking forward to trying the Lanzhou ramen next time.

Unlike Japanese ramen, this is Chinese-style ramen. You can enjoy freshly made noodles at the restaurant. The noodles are made to order, creating a loud sound in the store as they are slammed on the table to achieve a good texture. The soup and ingredients are simple, allowing you to enjoy the noodles. One free noodle refill is available. The table condiments are quite spicy and sour, so it might be better not to add them.