Lunch in Higashi-Nakano. Located on a road just north of the station where eateries line up, this restaurant is tucked away down a flight of stairs. Visited around 12:30 PM, it was packed. Managed to slip in as someone was leaving. The interior has a retro Showa-era vibe more like a pub than a bistro. About 10 customers were seated, and some had to leave due to full capacity. The menu mainly features noodles, with options like Chashu Donburi. They also offer a daily lunch special on weekdays, although the board listing the options was missing. I asked a staff member and chose the Fried Oysters. It took about 20 minutes to be served, but for 750 yen, it was a satisfying meal. The Fried Oysters were large, juicy, and came with tartar sauce. The side dishes of Menma and blanched vegetables were a nice touch. The soup, possibly based on soy sauce ramen broth, was delicious. I bet their ramen is tasty too. (December 2021)

I was looking for a good lunch without any specific destination, and happened to come across this place. I decided on the pork kimchi bowl since I have plans for noodles in the evening. It exceeded my expectations in terms of taste and portion size for only 650 yen. It's great to have another option to consider if I ever feel indecisive again.

Daily Special Set B (Cold Shabu-Shabu) for 800 yen, with a free large rice and mini ramen for an additional 200 yen. A satisfying lunch that is surprisingly empty. Entered at 12:02, no other customers present. Directed to a two-person table. Ordered the daily special B, as the daily special A (Miso mackerel) did not suit my mood at the time. This is a ramen izakaya, and I have had ramen for lunch here before. While it is quiet during lunch, it gets lively and crowded during the evening izakaya hours. The lunch menu is quite impressive, not losing to other small eateries in the area. The main dish of cold shabu-shabu had a good amount of vegetables, with thinly sliced carrots mixed with doubanjiang for a nice spicy kick. It was a bit disappointing that there was not much meat, but the abundance of vegetables made it healthy. The rice, ordered as a large portion with free refills, was not as large as expected. When the dish was served, I was told I could have a refill, so perhaps they gave me a regular portion to begin with. I had asked for a large portion from the start to avoid the hassle of asking later, but ended up not getting a refill in the end. The mini ramen is a must-order, as it was delightful. It had almost the same amount of soup as a regular-sized ramen, with a normal amount of chashu, menma, and green onions, but half the amount of noodles. The broth was rich and delicious, showing the expertise of a ramen shop. The chashu was the traditional kind without much fat, which I like, and there were about 4-5 small slices. Considering that Daikoken, a nearby ramen shop, no longer serves noodles, paying an additional 200 yen for this quality ramen is a good deal. I was surprised by the improvement in the noodles. When I visited before the pandemic, the noodles were like the cheap ones you find in a supermarket. I had wondered if it was appropriate for a specialty shop to serve such noodles, but this time, they were completely different. Apparently, they now use noodles from Oseishokuhin in Nakano, a neighboring area. The medium-thin straight noodles were a significant upgrade. You can't see it in the photos, but the side dishes included a whole myoga, pickled paprika, pickles, and something with a corn flavor, all of which were delicious and visually appealing. The kitchen was lively with a lot of chatter, but it didn't bother me as much as before. Perhaps they have become more mindful of their volume. The service was energetic and polite, fitting for an izakaya. The staff were youthful and made me feel lively as well. Honestly, I don't understand why this place is so empty during lunch. It's right in front of the station, with spacious table seating to relax. Are people unaware that they serve more than just ramen? Do they think it's just a casual lunch spot for ramen? Is the lively kitchen a turn-off? Was the disappointing noodles from before a deterrent? Is it too much trouble to go downstairs? Whatever the reason, it's a shame to overlook this lunch set here. By the time I left, there were two more groups of customers. For 1000 yen, I had a satisfying lunch that filled me up. Payment was made with PayPay.

I went with one other person around 8pm on a weekday. There were 3 other groups already seated at the table, so we sat at the counter. Orders were done through a QR code system. I have Docomo so I had no issues, but since it's partially underground, the signal might be weak for other carriers. The grilled white lever was cooked perfectly and very delicious. It had a generous amount of chopped garlic on top, so if you're not a fan or have plans the next day, it might be good to mention it when ordering. The taste and cost performance were great, and I would like to go again.

It was hot and my appetite was a bit low, so I decided to have some noodles that go down easily. I went to Hikaru, a noodle and sake bar in Higashi-Nakano, and ordered the tsukemen (dipping noodles) for 900 yen. They offer a free upgrade to a large portion for lunch, so I went for that. I'm a fan of soy sauce-based tsukemen without too much acidity, but the broth here had a slight tanginess to it. However, on a hot day like today, it was actually quite refreshing. The broth was more on the light soy sauce side rather than the thick soy sauce side, and the balance with the acidity was well done. The noodles were thick and chewy, perfect for tsukemen. But the standout was definitely the chashu (sliced pork). Despite being 1cm thick, it easily crumbled with chopsticks or in the mouth, making it very easy to eat. It's no wonder they also offer a chashu rice bowl. With the addition of bamboo shoots, green vegetables, and seaweed, the meal was very satisfying overall.

My impression is that "Men Sakaba Hikaru" is very convenient as it is open late into the night, making it easy to use. It is a joy to be able to enjoy a meal even when work or other tasks continue late into the night. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is very pleasant, and stepping inside puts you in a good mood. The bright and homely atmosphere, along with the friendly and excellent service from the staff, made for an enjoyable time while dining. The variety of menu options is also a great attraction. From ramen and tsukemen to a variety of sake and appetizers, there were many choices available. I was able to enjoy different combinations according to my preferences and mood. Especially, there was a wide variety of ramen options, which can also be enjoyed as a side dish or as a meal to finish off. I chose the ramen as my final dish! "Men Sakaba Hikaru" is open late into the night, making it convenient to visit. The atmosphere is pleasant, allowing me to immerse myself in a good mood. Furthermore, the diverse menu was appealing, allowing me to enjoy according to my preferences. It is a restaurant that I would definitely like to visit again.

I tried to send my wife to her workplace and planned to have lunch in Kagurazaka, but the roads were narrow and muddy, the parking lots were all full, and the parking lot we aimed for was closed. I swore never to come back here again and headed back. I returned to Higashi-Nakano and had the half-fat miso ramen at "Men Sakaba Hikaru" for 850 yen. During lunchtime, they offered a large serving as a service, so I asked for it. When asked if I wanted garlic, I said yes. I'll add some stamina to this! This is what came out. It's not as heavy as Jiro-style ramen, but it looks hearty. However, the taste is not too heavy, it's more on the refreshing side. For my generation, this was just right.

This time, even though it's in my local area of Higashi-Nakano and I follow them on Instagram, I finally visited Men Sakaba Hikaru, a place I hadn't been to before! [Today's Orders]: Red Hoppy with Shari Kin Kanami → Today's Namero (Sand Lance) → Deep-fried Squid Tentacles → Grilled Char Siu (with sauce) → Barley Tea Highball. In a regular restaurant, when you order "Shari Kin," you usually get a frosted shochu in a tankard, but in this shop, a special gold pouch for Shari Kin comes with the tankard, which was quite innovative (laughs). They had all three types of white, black, and red hoppy, and I chose red without hesitation (*^^*). The three dishes I ordered as appetizers were all delicious and disappeared quickly with the red hoppy and Shari Kin. The barley tea highball I ordered for my second drink was also easy to drink and delicious. It's amazing to have such a delicious restaurant within a 10-minute walk from my home! I will definitely visit again. * The last photo of the restaurant's exterior was borrowed from Men Sakaba Hikaru's Instagram.

We visited the restaurant on a Saturday around 10 pm with just the two of us. Luckily, we were able to enter right away, but the restaurant was completely full inside! We ordered the following dishes: - Bean sprout mayo for 318 yen - Grilled white liver for 500 yen - Mexican potato fries for 591 yen - Tartar chicken for 682 yen - Harumi dipping noodles for 955 yen We each had 1-2 drinks, and the total bill came to 4,700 yen. Ordering was done through a QR code, which was very convenient. The white liver was reliable, the homemade tartar sauce on the tartar chicken was delicious, and the Harumi noodles with firefly squid were amazing. The restaurant is near the station, open late, allows smoking, and is reasonably priced. You can feel the love from the locals in Higashi-Nakano (*⁰▿⁰*)☆*ﾟ The restaurant has a Foodlog rating of 3.35 as of April 2023.

I was dumped multiple times in Shinjuku on a Friday night, so I came to this place in desperation. It's in the neighborhood and my mom's favorite spot, and the guy who answered the phone was very friendly, so I had high hopes. As soon as I walked in, I was enveloped in a warm atmosphere and felt comfortable right away. The regular customers in the restaurant were all friendly and the menu had a lot of dishes that seemed perfect for drinking. The must-order signature dish, the simmered white liver, was amazing! It's like a Japanese-style foie gras that you can't stop eating. The Shimachou (fatty bird) was seasoned perfectly for those who love fatty foods, and the texture was so tender and delicious with each bite. The fried chicken was huge, about twice the size of a normal piece, but the crispy coating was so satisfying! Of course, I devoured it all. Since it's a noodle bar, the ramen is a must for the end of the meal, so I ordered the oil-based ramen. It had a strong garlic flavor and the cabbage added a nice touch, creating a sinful feeling as I ate it dipped in the oil. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth perfect! Ordering it was definitely the right choice! I regret not coming here sooner even though it's so close by. It was such an amazing place! I can't help but want to become a regular customer and I will definitely make it happen! Thank you so much!

This is a ramen shop that also serves as an izakaya. When we visited, it was almost full. Since it was night, there were more people using it as an izakaya, about 7:3 ratio. We had already eaten and drank quite a bit at another place, so we ordered squid ink marinated squid and miso-marinated chicken liver as light snacks, along with beer and sake. The squid ink marinated squid was made with sweet squid mixed with squid ink. It was a strange appetizer that was sweet, salty, rich in umami, slightly fishy, and somewhat delicious yet not quite.

The variety of sake is abundant. Any brand is fine at 850 yen per glass. The food is delicious. Drinking alone is okay, but the counter is a bit narrow. Also, it's difficult to see the TV from the counter seats. It's appreciated that there are no appetizers.

I went to a noodle and sake bar in Higashi-Nakano to find a place for lunch with a friend. The name of the restaurant caught my attention, so I decided to check it out. The atmosphere inside was warm and inviting, with a wide variety of dishes listed on the blackboard menu. The appetizers were more diverse than I expected, not just typical ramen toppings. It seemed like a great place for a casual lunchtime drink as well. The noodle and sake bar definitely lived up to its reputation. Unfortunately, I didn't have much time, so I only had the ramen this time. But the appetizers looked so good, I definitely want to come back for dinner. I might invite someone along next time... Thank you for the meal.

The volume of the chashu rice bowl is impressive. Located just a short walk from Higashi-Nakano Station, this ramen izakaya seems to also operate as an izakaya at night. I tried the chashu rice bowl, which had thick slices of meat that provided a satisfying eating experience, leaving me feeling full.

I was busy all day, so I decided to grab a quick dinner at a restaurant. I was in the mood for noodles, so I searched and found this place nearby. The restaurant had a decent amount of customers. The saltiness was good, but personally, I found the broth a bit too greasy. It might be due to my age as well. However, I would like to try different menu items next time. Thank you for the meal!

◆Ramen tour in Tokyo⚫︎ Men Sakaba Hikaru (Higashi-Nakano, Nakano-ku) Echigo Nagaoka soy sauce ramen: 850 yen◾︎ Foodie Maro

A wide variety of sake choices, great cost performance at this izakaya. The lamb mince cutlet is delicious with a crispy texture and no lamb smell, making it a perfect match with alcohol. The gyoza with plump small shrimp is not too heavy but has a sufficient volume. The black bean mascarpone has a perfect balance of sweetness and is delicious as a snack. The variety of sake is abundant, the location is convenient right in front of the station, smoking is allowed, and most importantly, the delicious food and drinks are very reasonably priced, making it an ideal restaurant for everyday use.

It is a good restaurant with an atmosphere where you can drink from noon. I ordered a large serving of rich soy sauce ramen with extra lunch rice. The noodles come in a large serving for free. The taste is consistent and likeable. The high density of customers is slightly concerning. It was disappointing to see kitchen staff cooking without masks and the rice served was old and hard in some places. Thank you for the meal.

[August 2022 Visit] At the newly opened "For this one cup" in Koenji Machita, which is the first store owned by the same owner, there are currently three stores including Koenji Kita "Nihoremo". Located in Higashi-Nakano, sandwiched between Okubo and Nakano, it is a quiet residential area at night. However, along Ginza Street connecting to the east exit, there are many shops open until late at night. "Men Sakaba Hikaru" is located in a mixed building in front of the east exit, and they work hard from noon until late at night. In this rare summer, on hot nights, something light is recommended: - WA! Imen (¥869) - Today's 3-piece sashimi plate (¥1,200) - Grilled white liver (¥495) - My Caesar salad There are various types of ramen, and although it may lack the power compared to specialized shops, it is interesting as a unique product and is convenient as a meal after drinking. WA! Imen is a planned noodle dish, perhaps limited to summer. It falls into the category of cold pasta, using fresh pasta noodles, homemade smoked bacon, and salad served with Genovese sauce. As always, I enjoyed it with a "Serious Lemon Sour" for a refreshing and delicious meal! Unfortunately, the main dish I was looking for, the "Thick Baked Neo Unatama," was not available today, which was the only disappointment.

Visited ~Tsukemen~ for the first time! I arrived around 8pm on a Sunday with no wait time for seating. It's a cozy izakaya where you can also enjoy authentic noodle dishes. The soy sauce soup has a perfect balance of sweetness, sourness, and spiciness, with a gentle umami flavor from animal ingredients. Dip the chewy thick noodles in the soup for a delicious combination. It's a perfect way to finish off your drinks! The cute design of the glasses adds to the charm. In addition to tsukemen, they also offer ramen, Neapolitan, and abura soba, so you can enjoy different dishes each time you visit. If you feel like having noodles with your drinks, be sure to check this place out!

Since the new menu was introduced, the points have gone up! Following yesterday, I invited another friend to "Hikaru" in Higashi-Nakano. The menu is diverse and they introduce new dishes when ingredients run out, so it seems like you won't get tired of it even if you visit often. Today's menu includes: - Iburi Gakko Mascarpone for 572 yen - Hikaru's Cobb Salad for 495 yen - Thick Grilled Neo Unatama for 1,200 yen - Skin-on Young Corn for 650 yen - Echigo Nagaoka Ramen (Rich Soy Sauce Chinese Noodles) for 770 yen I forgot to mention yesterday that the price of the serious (seriously) lemon sour (large pitcher) was 990 yen. It's more cost-effective than two regular sized drinks. The Thick Grilled Neo Unatama is really good in terms of cost performance. There's a large unagi kabayaki under a thick grilled egg, both fluffy and delicious. The salad is generous in portion and cheap. The ramen at the end has an old-fashioned Chinese flavor, similar to the taste of a food stall. They also have about 10 types of ramen, including "hearty," "tsukemen," and "cold" varieties, as well as sets like Chashu Don and Mini Ramen. Oh no! I forgot to take a picture of the menu again... I will definitely do it next time. Thank you for the meal today!