Date: 2023.08.06 (Sun) Weather: Sunny Second visit - First customer - 11:36 Entered the store - One customer arrived later - 11:43 Served Vegetable Tanmen: 700 yen I went to a Chinese restaurant in Nishi-Iko, but it was temporarily closed... So, I visited Hidakaya near Takenotsuka Station for the first time. However, after about 3 years and 6 months, I revisited this store to seek their Tanmen. I entered the store and sat at a vacant 4-seater table. The owner brought me a glass of water, and at that moment, I ordered the "Vegetable Tanmen." The landlady joined in halfway through, and the two of them managed the store together. The table condiments included soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, and white pepper powder. The TV in the store was showing a high school baseball game from the summer Koshien (Ueda Nishi vs Tsuchiura Nichidai were playing). It was served by the landlady after about 7 minutes. The noodles were thin and curly. They were cooked quite soft. Maybe it's to cater to the elderly? Ingredients: Chinese cabbage, cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, onions, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), and wood ear mushrooms. The vegetables and wood ear mushrooms were lightly stir-fried before being simmered in the soup. The Chinese cabbage and cabbage were cut into easy-to-eat pieces. The onions were cut into large pieces. They were cooked thoroughly, so there was no spiciness or crunchiness, just a soft and sweet taste. The carrots were thinly sliced and didn't stand out much. The komatsuna had a nice hint of freshness. There was no meat, but the generous amount of vegetables was impressive. The wood ear mushrooms had a pleasant chewy texture. The soup had a slightly cloudy saltiness. The broth seemed to be based on pork bones, chicken bones, and aromatic vegetables. The umami flavor was sufficient, with the sweetness of the vegetables coming through, and a gentle taste without a sharp saltiness. Although there was no spiciness, the flavor of the pepper was noticeable. I finished all the noodles and ingredients. I left about 60% of the soup, paid the bill to the landlady, and left the store. Overall, the vegetable-filled Tanmen was delicious. It felt a bit lonely without meat, but since it's advertised as a vegetable Tanmen, it lived up to its name. The noodles were quite soft, so next time, I might ask for them to be cooked firmer. The service was polite and friendly. From the conversation between the customer who came in later and the owner, it seemed like there were many regular customers. The interior of the store had a vintage feel, and cleanliness was decent. Thank you for the meal.

"From Takenozuka Station to the journey of Ebi Soba" (Part 6) continued with a visit to Goku-san along the way to Meimon Juushi High School from the west exit of the station. It had been 4 years since my last visit, and I felt like the atmosphere had changed slightly. I checked the menu and ordered the Ebi Soba, which was surprisingly priced at 700 yen in this day and age. The Ebi Soba, which arrived steaming hot, had a soft, salty flavor. It came with about 5 large prawns in thin clothing, which was a sufficient amount. The taste and texture of the thin noodles seemed different from my preference. The generous amount of mushrooms and the addition of ham were distinctive features. Overall, it was a satisfying meal.

A slightly run-down local Chinese restaurant run by a couple, but surprisingly serving traditional Japanese-style Chinese dishes with strong flavors. While they use artificial seasonings, it is relatively mild compared to other similar restaurants, overall quite mild. The eight treasure dish was not to my liking, but dishes like crab omelet and sweet and sour pork were delicious. The celery and tomato noodles were surprisingly tasty. For a local Chinese restaurant, it was unexpectedly excellent and affordable. The way the owner's wife was treated... it was uncomfortable to watch. I can't write about it here, so please check out the Google reviews by Fidelia Potta. Google reviews have surpassed Tabelog in terms of quantity, speed, reference numbers, and freedom of content. Tabelog is already outdated. Well, some people still read it, so it's still being written to some extent.

I want to eat dumplings! I went to a shop near the station and tried their water dumplings, which are recommended because they are soft and juicy. The soup is packed full, so I eat it like xiaolongbao, scooping it up with a spoon. Of course, I ended up burning my tongue! But it was delicious! And then, the pan-fried dumplings arrived - crispy on the outside and chewy inside, and piping hot! Ouch, another burn! But I can't resist. Lastly, I debated between pork shredded noodles, fried rice, and white rice, but ultimately chose ramen because it was cold outside. The noodles were thin, just how I like them. I might have ordered too much, but I couldn't resist. Oh, I ate too much!

I went to the Chinese restaurant Goku-san. The interior is dimly lit, but it has a nostalgic feel with goldfish in the aquarium. [This week's lunch] A. Stir-fried shrimp and new onion for 700 yen. The plump shrimp, crunchy sweet new onions, and edamame for color. The flavor is strong and bold, a bit too much umami for my taste, but it goes well with rice. I'd like to come back for drinks sometime. Thank you for the meal.

B lunch (Yurinsu Chicken set meal) for 700 yen. It had been a while since my last visit. I chose the B lunch set meal (Yurinsu Chicken) this time. It was lunchtime on the weekend, and the peak hours seemed to have passed. There were three regular customers in the cozy atmosphere. The dish arrived, and I started eating. The chicken seemed to be fried and topped with a sauce, but it turned out to be more like fried chicken with sauce. It was a bit different from what I expected, but it was still good. The meal also included Chinese egg drop soup, pickles, and almond jelly for dessert. Overall, there was nothing particularly special about the meal. I might consider trying something different next time, perhaps a stir-fried dish.

After buying the iPhone and on the way back, it was already past 1 PM and there was little time left for lunch, so we decided to try out a new place quickly. 1. The grilled dumplings had a crispy skin and juicy filling, served piping hot. 2. The simmered pork feet was a rare find for me, and it was surprisingly delicious. I might want to take some home as a souvenir. Actually, I wanted to go to a Chinese restaurant run by an acquaintance... but I'm completely satisfied with discovering delicious food here! I want to come back again to try the simmered pork feet and other items on the menu. Thank you for the meal!

2020.01.30 (Thursday) Sunny First visit 11:31 Entered the store 2 customers before, 2 customers after 11:41 Served Vegetable Tanmen: 700 yen Visited a local Chinese-style restaurant in search of Tanmen. Sat at a 4-person table inside the restaurant. The establishment is run by an elderly couple. Ordered "Vegetable Tanmen" verbally to the landlady. (Payment after the meal) Soy sauce, vinegar, S&B chili oil, and powdered pepper were available on the table. Served in about 10 minutes. The noodles were yellowish curly thin noodles. The texture was good with just the right amount of chewiness. It became softer and easier to swallow towards the middle. Ingredients: Chinese cabbage, cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, onions, komatsuna, nanohana, and wood ear mushrooms. It seems that the vegetables are stir-fried before being combined with the soup. The way the heat passes through the vegetables is exquisite!! Chinese cabbage, komatsuna, and nanohana were cooked but still had a crunchy texture. The onions were cooked to enhance their sweetness, showcasing the owner's craftsmanship. The bean sprouts and carrots had a slightly soft texture. The wood ear mushrooms had a firm and chewy texture, providing an excellent eating experience!! No meat at all!! However, there was a lot of vegetables. The soup had a salty taste. The broth was mainly chicken-based with a moderate amount of seasoning added. There was no lack of umami flavor. The saltiness was just right, and the sweetness of the vegetables was fully enjoyed, making it delicious. The stir-fried oil added a nice richness to the soup. There was also a hint of spiciness from the coarse ground pepper already in the soup. Overall, it was a Tanmen dish without any meat, truly a Vegetable Tanmen!! It was a bowl that allowed you to consume a lot of vegetables. The noodles and soup were also well done. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was cozy, with a dim lighting but a homely feel. There were goldfish swimming in a tank, and manga comics were available to pass the time while waiting. I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal!!

○ ========== Summary ========== ○ "Chinatown in a remote town" Waiting time: 15 minutes (June/Saturday 18:30~) Total cost: Chinatown Donburi 650 + Gyoza 450 + Large beer 600 = 1700 yen Good morning/afternoon/evening~! Here is a review from Tabelog with a rating of 3.08 (June 2019) for a lively Chinatown restaurant in Takenotsuka. ○ [Arrival at 18:30] No waiting outside, 8 customers inside already. It's a bit noisy like a bar, smoking allowed. No ticket machine, check the menu after seating, call for order, pay at the counter after eating. The interior is a bit dim, with background music. Seasonings available include vinegar, soy sauce, chili oil, pepper. ○ [Serving at 18:45] Ordered the Chinatown Donburi and Gyoza. The gyoza is big and juicy, very tasty. The Chinatown Donburi has a good presentation, although it may not look very appetizing. The taste is surprisingly good, with a well-balanced seasoning. The rice is slightly soft with a hint of sweetness, and the dish includes various ingredients like wood ear mushrooms, ham, bamboo shoots, komatsuna, quail, cabbage, pork, chicken, small shrimp. Overall, there weren't any outstanding features to highlight, but it was a satisfying meal. Thank you for the meal~!

I discovered a unique menu item called "Celery Tomato Noodles" in a reviewer's review, and after saving it for 10 months, I finally decided to visit the restaurant. The restaurant is located near Takenotsuka Station, about a 3-minute walk away. Upon entering, I was the only customer as it was just after opening. The elderly couple who run the place welcomed me and I quickly ordered the "Celery Tomato Noodles." The noodles were served in about 7 minutes, and I could see that they contained a good amount of celery and tomato. The soup had a strong celery flavor with a hint of spiciness, possibly from chili oil. The noodles were thin and tangled but mixed well with the flavorful soup. Overall, the dish had a unique and delicious taste, perfect for those who enjoy celery. I recommend trying it out if you're a fan of celery!

The large crossing at Takenozuka is under construction and the railway tracks look different from before. Walking from the crossing towards Juuyon-chu, you'll notice a bright orange tent sign. They seem to offer daily lunch specials, but I decided to order the regular menu item, the pork slices over rice.

I visited the restaurant on a regular night. I had been curious about this place for a while after seeing it on Tabelog. The exterior of the restaurant has an old-fashioned look, giving off a sense of its age. Upon entering, I saw about 5 other customers - a mix of office workers and local couples. I wanted to try the Ankake Ramen, so I ordered the Cantonese noodles. While waiting, I looked around the interior of the restaurant, which had a very vintage feel. There was a goldfish tank, manga books, and a TV, making it a place where you wouldn't get bored even if dining alone. However, it felt more outdated than retro. When my Cantonese noodles arrived, they looked like regular noodles. But when I tried them, the noodles were thin and lacked chewiness. The ingredients and soup were also just average in taste. It wasn't the ramen experience I was hoping for. The atmosphere of the restaurant didn't quite suit me either. Thank you for the meal.

I recently found out about a TV show that explores delicious restaurants in unfamiliar towns without an appointment, so I decided to visit "Goku" based on that idea. It seems to be a neighbor of the popular "Tsukemen Wa" restaurant. Upon entering, I noticed that there were about 3 groups of customers already there. A man who came in later also seemed to be a regular, indicating that this restaurant is loved by the locals. I ordered the shrimp fried rice that everyone was enjoying, along with the yakisoba and dumplings. The yakisoba had two options - regular or firm, and I chose the regular one this time. As I looked at the menu, I noticed other tempting dishes like fried vermicelli and steamed chive buns. The handwritten dishes on the whiteboard seemed like perfect appetizers for drinks. It must be nice to come here on a hot summer day, enjoy some beer with a fan, and savor these small dishes. The dumplings arrived first, and they were large with a thick, chewy skin and a juicy, vegetable-based filling. The shrimp fried rice was next, with large shrimp and a flavorful, slightly crispy texture. The yakisoba surprised me with its double-sided cooking method, offering a mix of crispy and moist textures. The dishes were all delicious, and I enjoyed them with a bit of spice. Overall, the food was satisfying, and I look forward to trying the fried vermicelli next time. Another interesting element was the unique flavor of the soup that came with the fried rice. This casual Chinese restaurant near the station offers a wide variety of dishes with a special touch, making it a delightful dining experience.

The soy sauce ramen with plenty of finely chopped green onions is delicious, seriously so good.

I had celery and tomato noodles with shrimp fried rice. It might be difficult for one person to finish, but the plump shrimp was delicious and the celery-flavored ramen was refreshing.

In an area with many Chinese restaurants like Takinogane, I couldn't think of a good fried rice place. After searching online, I decided to try "Goku" near Takinogane Station. The shrimp fried rice was surprising with a good amount of shrimp and a nice balance of flavors. The soup had a unique taste that was quite good. I visited again the following week and tried the pork and pickled mustard greens stir-fry lunch set, which was delicious. The only downside was that it wasn't smoke-free. Despite that, I would like to try more dishes at this tasty restaurant.