Recommended by a friend, I finally had the opportunity to visit the restaurant. When I arrived at 1:30 pm, there were already two customers seated, but I was able to find a seat quickly. The restaurant, with its long and narrow interior, had dim lighting which created a unique atmosphere. Although there were tables on the first floor, I was directed to the second floor seating area. I ordered the dan dan noodles for 1000 yen. The dish arrived in about 5 minutes, looking quite impressive. I took a sip of the soup, which had a sesame flavor with a hint of coriander, and the spiciness was mild with a moderate numbing sensation, making it easy and delicious to eat. The minced meat stir-fried with Sichuan peppercorns added a nice touch, and mixing it in with the noodles created a great combination. The thin curly noodles paired well with the soup. I couldn't stop eating as it was so tasty and easy to enjoy. The balance of flavors, not too rich, with just the right amount of spiciness and numbing sensation, made it a high-quality dan dan noodles that would appeal to many people. Although the taste was good, considering the price of 1000 yen, it would be nice to have some additional ingredients, or a small rice serving or pickled vegetables included. Thank you for the meal!

I went to Benkei in Sakurashinmachi. I arrived around 11:10, just a little past the opening time, and surprisingly it wasn't crowded at all. I was seated on the second floor and ordered the famous mapo tofu (1000 yen) and a draft beer (650 yen). The mapo tofu was really flavorful with a strong kick of Sichuan pepper (it's quite spicy, so if you don't like spicy food, it's better to avoid it). Next, I ordered a lemon sour (500 yen) and chicken soba (1000 yen) with an oolong highball (500 yen) on the side. The chicken soba had a light soup with coriander and chicken, and thin noodles. It was delicious!

Located between Sakurashinmachi Station and Komazawa Daigaku Station, this Chinese restaurant stands out with its distinctive sign along the street, about a 10-minute walk from Sakurashinmachi Station. It has seating for about 15 people on both the first and second floors. I ordered the tantanmen, which was said to be delicious. It had a flavorful taste with a good amount of sansho pepper, and wasn't too spicy. I also ordered some gyoza, and after enjoying the meal, I left feeling satisfied. Thank you for the delicious meal!

This place is always crowded because the shop is small. I ordered the most popular tantanmen and gyoza. The tantanmen had the perfect combination of sesame and spiciness, and the flavor of coriander was irresistible. The stick gyoza was delicious too, no complaints. It would be perfect if they accepted cashless payments. I will definitely come back.

Taste: ★★★★★ Atmosphere: ★★★★★ Cost performance: ★★★★☆ Customer service: ★★★★★ Likelihood to visit again: ★★★★★ While on my way to Sazae-san Road, I searched for a nice restaurant and came across this place. I was extremely satisfied and wished there was a similar restaurant in Osaka.

All the dishes were delicious. The dumplings were unique, not your typical dumplings but more like moist sticks, and they were tasty. The mapo tofu was excellent, with just the right level of spiciness. The shrimp mayo with pine nuts was a nice touch. The lettuce fried rice had crispy lettuce and was flavorful. The best dish was the tantanmen we had as our final dish. It had a generous amount of roasted sesame seeds which thickened the soup nicely. The noodles were thin and smooth.

I always order tantanmen noodles every time I go, I've never tried anything else because it's so good. I also always get the shrimp spring rolls, they are a must-have and always delicious! The generous amount of sansho pepper might be tough for those who don't like it, but I love the numbing sensation it gives. The broth is rich and delicious!

The atmosphere was like having a meal cooked in a Chinese home, which felt warm. I ordered dan dan noodles and dumplings. The dan dan noodles were moderately spicy with a tangy flavor. The dumplings had a unique shape and a crispy texture that was enjoyable. It was a high-quality Chinese restaurant that lived up to its high ratings on Tabelog. Thank you for the delicious meal!

Stir-fried bean sprouts usually come with eggs, but there were not enough eggs, so it was made without eggs. It still tasted delicious! Everyone ordered the dan dan noodles. The spiciness is not too strong at first, but you feel a nice kick from the spices in the soup. Spring rolls can be ordered individually. They have a texture similar to shrimp dumplings.

2023.3.19 [Red Lizard] Benitokage 2-4-15 Shinmachi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo ☏ 03-3425-2233 Closed on Mondays □ Dan Dan Noodles 1,188yen □ Stir-Fried Vegetables 1,100yen □ Shrimp Mayonnaise □ Grilled Dumplings *The Dan Dan Noodles are flavorful and slightly spicy, very delicious *I really liked the Stir-Fried Vegetables *The exterior has a mysterious feel to it (lizard statue) *The interior is small but cozy *Thank you for the meal #DanDanNoodles #Ramen #SakuraShinmachiGourmet #SakuraShinmachiLunch #SakuraShinmachiChinese #SetagayaGourmet #SetagayaRamen

Today's Poteranchi: [First] The sesame sauce is modestly assertive, with a balanced hint of spiciness from the chili pepper. The balance between the sesame sauce and chili pepper is excellent and delicious, making me want to come back for more. Compared to other tantanmen dishes, the flavor of chili oil and sesame paste is subdued, but just when I thought it might be lacking, the spiciness from the chili pepper kicks in just right. Even though I'm not a fan of chili peppers, I realize they are necessary for this tantanmen. Furthermore, I'm not a fan of cilantro either, but for this tantanmen, it's a must. Thank you, chili pepper and cilantro. The noodles are thin and soft, with varying levels of firmness, teaching me that even thin noodles can have different textures. The visually unique stick-shaped pan-fried dumplings were average in taste. There was a lizard on the signboard, a gecko. It wasn't red, but Sakura Shinmachi Red Gecko Tantanmen with pan-fried dumplings for 1,340 yen. #Poteranchi #Today'sLunch #Today'sGourmet #Today'sMeal #Today'sLunch #LookingForGourmetLovers #GourmetInstagram #WantToConnectWithGourmetLovers #WantToConnectWithGourmetFans #WantToConnectWithLunchLovers #FoodPorn #Foodstagram #Eatsta #Eatstagram #TokyoLunch #TokyoGourmet #TokyoMeal #TokyoFood #SakuraShinmachiGourmet #SakuraShinmachiLunch #Today'sRamen #TokyoRamen #RamenLover #WantToConnectWithRamenLovers #WantToConnectWithRamenFans #Tantanmen #WantToConnectWithTantanmenLovers #TantanmenSpecialtyShop #TantanmenLover #RedGecko

I went to a restaurant called "Benitokage" with a Chinese atmosphere. As soon as I entered, I noticed a lizard sticking to the wall outside the shop. I didn't mind the unique storefront. I was guided to the second floor, which had a long and narrow layout. I sat at a table at the end, right next to a portrait of Chairman Mao. It was a pop art version, but unmistakably Mao Zedong. I ordered some pan-fried dumplings, tantanmen noodles, and lettuce fried rice. The dumplings arrived first, with a unique appearance but delicious taste. The skin was chewy and filled with juicy meat. Next came the tantanmen noodles, creamy with a sweet and sesame flavor. It was also delicious. Lastly, the lettuce fried rice arrived, refreshing with a hint of healthiness. Despite eating a lot of rice, the lettuce added a lightness to the dish. I enjoyed a tasty lunch. Thank you, Chairman Mao.

I revisited because it was very delicious last time, so this time I tried a popular menu that I didn't order last time, which was chicken soba and spring rolls. The chicken soba had a very delicious soup that seems addictive. I will definitely visit again next time.

Mapo tofu is right up my alley, aiming to conquer my favorite menu items. Additional recommendations: Garlic sprouts - adds a punch that enhances the dish. Perfect with beer. Sichuan pepper - a must-try, goes well with a Chinese pancake-like dish. Pan-fried dumplings - packed with flavor. Boiled dumplings - tender and delicious. Spring rolls - a delightful combination of juicy shrimp and crispy texture. Mapo tofu - right in the sweet spot, best enjoyed with rice. Cabbage and glass noodles - full of umami and impossible to stop eating. Eggplant and pork - a slightly tangy dish reminiscent of sweet and sour pork, perfect with rice. Tan-tan noodles - superb. Chicken soba - comforting and satisfying with its gentle and flavorful broth. Potatoes and chicken - the soft and salty meat complements the fluffy potatoes. Green onion ramen - a soothing soup with a rich broth that warms the body.

I was told about a delicious Chinese restaurant. The gyoza, which had a long shape, was easy to eat and the tantanmen had a nice spicy kick that I really enjoyed. The scallop and leek fried rice was also delicious with plenty of ingredients and a satisfying portion size.

Located about a 10-minute walk from Sakurashinmachi Station, this shop has poor access, a shady exterior, and a small interior. However, it is a renowned restaurant. Their tantanmen (980 yen) has a creamy and rich soup with a sesame flavor that pairs well with the thin noodles. The spiciness is mild and the portion size is also modest. I really like the taste, so I want to visit regularly.

I visited the restaurant around 11:30 on a weekday, about a 10-minute walk from Sakurashinmachi Station towards Komazawa. The first floor of the two-story shop was empty, but when I was directed to the second floor, there were only two other groups of customers. There were about 10 lunch menu options, including noodles and rice sets. Although the gyoza and tantanmen were highly recommended, I was in the mood for fried rice, so I ordered the following: - Grilled Gyoza and Fried Rice Set for 900 yen Both dishes were slightly on the salty side, which I personally enjoyed! The fried rice was simple with just egg, green onions, and ground meat, which I liked. It was more on the dry side but still moist enough, striking a good balance. The gyoza had more of a fried rather than grilled taste. The jasmine tea they served was delicious. I would like to try the tantanmen next time. Thank you for the meal.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is excellent. The second floor is where you dine, so you go up the stairs as soon as you enter. The floor creaks and shakes every time the staff walks on it, which was a bit scary, but it added to the authentic ambiance. The shop is very small, yet it was constantly crowded with people. A kind lady handled everything from taking orders, serving, to cleaning. Sometimes she made mistakes in serving, but it was understandable given how busy she was. The payment was handled by the man who was in charge of cooking on the first floor. It seemed like a family-run business. The food was brought to the table on a cart that looked like an elevator. The noodles were thin, white, and had a refreshing taste, with no particular strong flavor or texture, giving a simple impression. The soup had a spicy kick with a rich sesame flavor, clearly using a generous amount of sesame. Scooping from the bottom with a ladle, you could gather a lot of settled sesame paste, allowing you to fully savor the sesame. If you want to enjoy a strong sesame flavor in tantanmen, this is the place to go. Although there were two pieces of chili peppers peeking out from the soup, it was not overwhelmingly spicy, probably due to the sweetness of the sesame. The cilantro placed in the center is a rare combination for tantanmen. As I cautiously took a bite with chopsticks, I found that it surprisingly complemented the dish. Perhaps the subtle nature of the noodles, close to the authentic ones, enhances the goodness of the cilantro. If it were made with the eggy noodles typical of Japanese ramen shops, it might have felt out of place. The minced meat can be eaten with a ladle that has holes. The unique ladle with holes adds to the fun of eating. The water dumplings had glass noodles inside and a slightly seasoned meat, with a chewy skin that was delicious. The cute shape resembling xiaolongbao is visually appealing, not commonly seen in water dumplings. The shape that makes you want to pick it up with chopsticks shows the direct connection between appetite and appearance. Overall, it was a delicious and enjoyable meal, but the restaurant was closed on several occasions, so my high expectations may have led to a rating that did not exceed the ordinary realm of eating tantanmen on site.

A unique looking Chinese restaurant specializing in Sichuan cuisine. Located about an 8-minute walk from Tokyu Denentoshi Line's Sakurashinmachi Station towards Komazawa. "Gyoza-jo Benitokage" has a wait time of about 20 minutes. When a table is available, the staff will come outside to guide you in. The second floor has tables for 2 people, and they do not seat solo diners or groups together. The interior is narrow and vertically long, with a distinctive reddish-brown wall color. You can faintly hear jazz music playing. The floor is wooden and slightly creaks when you walk. The staff move back and forth in the aisle, sometimes bumping into your elbow. It can be unsettling while waiting for the food, but once you start eating, it's not so bad. Sweet and sour pork with rice for 900 yen. No soup or side dishes. The sweet and sour pork is roughly plated, with large cuts of cabbage, bell peppers, and green peppers. Thinly sliced pork belly is tender and delicious. The sauce is rich and slightly spicy, a flavor I really enjoyed. The portion is generous and satisfying. You can opt for extra rice, and after some discussion with the staff, I decided to go for a slightly larger portion. Mixing the cabbage and meat in the flavorful sauce and pairing it with rice was simply delicious. A simple yet incredibly tasty sweet and sour pork dish.

I had tantanmen noodles and pan-fried dumplings. Both were delicious - the creamy soup of the tantanmen noodles and the crispy texture of the dumplings. I recommend this restaurant as a great option for casual Chinese cuisine. The service was quick from ordering to serving, which was a plus.