A 5-seat mapo tofu specialty shop open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Arrived at 12:30 on Saturday with a wait of 6 people. "Tokyo Mapo Tofu" for 950 yen is incredibly delicious. It has a unique richness in the meat miso that I have never tasted elsewhere. It has a firm umami flavor within the sweetness. It is spicy and numbing with a good balance of ma and la. The large pieces of ground meat are generously mixed in. The rice is served in the best firmness by default. The side of pickled vegetables is also delicious.

The taste is unexpected from the appearance. The menu is simple with mapo tofu, almond jelly, and onigiri, which is refreshing. I'm not a fan of spicy food, so the mild flavor was just right for me. The fragrance of Sichuan pepper and sansho is strong rather than that of chili peppers. It has a good balance of sweetness and richness, making it delicious and easy to finish. It's a Chinese restaurant, so having Tsingtao beer is a nice touch. According to the calendar, it seems like they don't open at night very often. If they did, I would love to visit at least once a month.

This is Akabane Iwabuchi. A quiet place a little off the main street, with a small and elegant appearance, handmade curtains, and a cozy atmosphere with only 5 seats playing jazz music. I remember reading somewhere that the owner used to work at a Sichuan restaurant, but I can't seem to find the original source. The staff are busy and rarely come out of the kitchen, so a table bell is used as a communication tool. It seems like the kitchen is located on the second floor, as you can constantly hear the sound of footsteps going up and down the stairs from the back. Let's quietly wait for that tingling moment after placing our order. - "Tokyo Mapo Tofu, Mild Tingling" ¥880 This dish is made by blending various types of peppers such as Sichuan peppercorns, white pepper, black pepper, and chili peppers with beef, Pixian bean paste, sweet bean sauce, aromatic vegetables, and homemade chili oil to extract the umami flavor, mixed with "Zha Jiang" - a meat miso, to create Mapo Tofu. I personally enjoy spicy flavors, but I'm not a big fan of the numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns, so I appreciate the "mild tingling" option on the menu. However, there is still a slight tingling sensation, but it is just right and enjoyable. Behind that tingling sensation, you can find a hint of sweetness. There is sweetness from sugar, but also from the minced meat and edamame, which is very pleasant. The spiciness is not too strong. It's not very spicy. The balance between the tingling sensation and sweetness in this Mapo Tofu is great. The addition of rice was a great choice. I had it as a Mapo Tofu rice bowl. This is delicious! The sweetness of the rice complements the dish. By having it in a bowl, the flavors expanded even more. This Mapo Tofu has the right amount of tingling sensation and a mild numbing effect, which makes it enjoyable. The pickled vegetables on the side are also delicious. I finished it all in one go. It was delicious. If this restaurant were closer, it would definitely be a favorite for me. It's a small hidden gem.

It's very far from home, but I really wanted to eat it again. Even the regular level was quite spicy, but this time I ordered extra spicy. The flavor of chili peppers and the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns were more pronounced than last time. There was also a hint of sweetness, but with a beefy umami flavor that made it more than just a spicy dish. By the time I finished eating, my lips were incredibly numb, but the feeling of bliss was amazing. It has a fragrance like a drifting aroma, with a unique combination of junky umami flavors in the mapo tofu. The almond jelly was also good. I'll look forward to trying the craft cola next time I go.

I visited this restaurant near Akabane Iwabuchi Station after seeing it posted on Instagram. The restaurant has 5 counter seats. When I tried to order the mapo tofu, the staff asked me if I was okay with it being quite spicy. I replied that I should be fine, and ordered it. They also mentioned that there is a milder version available. Shortly after, the dish was served. It was on a slightly small plate, which was just the right amount for me. I took a bite and found it delicious. Although I didn't feel much spiciness, I immediately felt the numbness! I quickly mixed it with white rice and started devouring it with gusto. At first, I used chopsticks to eat the mapo tofu, but halfway through, I switched to a spoon, scooping up the tofu along with the rice. It was irresistible. I enjoyed it with a Qingdao beer, and finished it all in one go. I want to experience this numbness again! I will definitely come back. Thank you for the meal! Thank you very much.

Mostly open only for lunch on weekends, so I visited for lunch on a Saturday this time. (They have irregular weekend night openings as well) There are 5 seats in total. The seating is divided into 3 seats and 2 seats facing the wall in a counter style. The atmosphere is cafe-like and seems to be appealing to women. If you are dining alone, you can eat without worrying about your surroundings. The menu consists of the "Tokyo Mapo" mapo tofu set meal as the only option. There are also mapo tofu onigiri and almond jelly available, but for lunch it will be the "Tokyo Mapo". In terms of content, it includes the restaurant's signature mapo tofu with rice and pickled vegetables. If you order the standard "Tokyo Mapo", it might be tough for those who are not good with spicy food. I had no problem with it, but if you're not a fan of spiciness, it's better to order the "<mild spiciness>" option. When taking your order, the staff will politely ask, "Our mapo tofu is quite spicy, is that okay with you?" so you can consult them at that point. In terms of portion size, it is substantial and should satisfy even men. If you want to experience the spiciness, definitely give it a try!

I went there several times since it opened in the neighborhood. I used to like Chen Mapo the best among all the Mapo tofu I've had before, but this one surpassed it! I never thought I could eat such delicious Mapo tofu locally ✨ I feel unsatisfied with other places now, so I will definitely go back again ☺️

Today's "Solitary Gourmet" lunch edition took place at "Tokyo Mapo" which recently opened near Akabane Iwabuchi Station. I enjoyed the Mapo Tofu set meal, which had a mild flavor with no spiciness or numbing sensation, featuring a thickening agent of starch and a sweetness from sugar. It's a gentle type of Mapo Tofu. The addition of edamame is fantastic! It seemed to be a popular spot as I waited in line for about 20 minutes. (Posted on April 23, 2022)

*Waiting time* Saturday 12:40 12:43 Order placed 12:49 Received *Order & Price* Tokyo Mapo Tofu 780 yen (opening price), takeout *Atmosphere* The place has a handmade feel, with hand-drawn signs and interior decor. There are only 5 seats available. Jazz music was playing. *Service* They also offer Uber delivery. Accept PayPay. All disposable items, including chopsticks and plates. There was a sign asking customers to wait inside as the owner was cooking. The owner, a good-looking young man, was surprisingly friendly. *Impressions* The restaurant had just opened, so I opted for takeout. The rice portion was around 250g, and the Mapo Tofu was around 290g, with pickled vegetables included. When dining in, tea is also served. The Mapo Tofu had garlic sprouts and edamame, and was on the spicier side with a strong Sichuan pepper flavor. The consistency was similar to homemade Mapo Tofu. The rice was sticky and moist. *Expectations* I enjoyed the generous amount of Sichuan pepper in the dish, as I am a fan of it.

This newly opened restaurant offers a variety of levels of spiciness for their mapo tofu, along with onigiri and drinks. The dish is prepared by one person, and the staff seems to consist of just one person as well. I tried the Tokyo mapo tofu, which arrived fairly quickly, indicating that they may have some pre-made. The taste was initially sweet, followed by a gradual warmth in the body. The spiciness was not very strong overall. The rice seemed a bit watery. The pickled vegetables had the most punch and were the most delicious part. At 780 yen, it's a good deal, but at 900 yen, the value might not be as great.

The spiciness is not too overwhelming, the numbness is not too strong, and it tastes delicious with a good balance. Next time, I will ask for less rice when I go.

Discovered on the way from Akabane-Iwabuchi Station to Akabane. I decided to enter the restaurant after seeing good reviews on Google Maps. The weekend hours were a bit irregular. I ordered the normal level of spiciness, which was said to be moderate. They also had a rare beer called Aoshima Gold, which I ordered as a set. They also served peanuts as a complimentary snack, which were delicious with a good balance of salt and Sichuan pepper. The Mapo Tofu had garlic leaves, sprouts, and edamame in it. I thought it would be sweet and savory, but it turned out to be quite spicy. It had a unique and strong flavor, almost like a punch when eaten with the image of a candle shop in mind. The combination of meat, sweet bean paste, and the aroma of garlic leaves made it very appetizing. This Mapo Tofu stood out for its balance of spiciness and flavor, unlike many others that rely heavily on garlic or ginger for flavor. Despite my low expectations due to the price of 880 yen, I found it to be a hidden gem that I would visit every week if it were closer.

On the way to Akabane, I was curious because there was sometimes a line. The menu consists of mapo tofu set meal, onigiri, and almond jelly. I ordered the slightly numbing dish and mini almond jelly. I used to like the mapo tofu at Akabane's Mala Station and Azukari, but I think I prefer the balance of umami and spice here. The almond jelly is also homemade and quite delicious. There aren't many good dessert options around Akabane, so I would like to get this as a takeout item on its own next time. I want to try the stronger numbing dish and craft cola next time I go.