On the way to a certain ramen shop, I came across a Chinese restaurant with a very charming atmosphere called "Ichiban". There were a few people lined up outside. I was intrigued by the place but decided to first fulfill my initial purpose. So, I headed to the ramen shop. On my way back to the station after leaving the shop, I saw that there was only one person waiting outside the Chinese restaurant I had seen earlier. I had planned to go to another shop for ramen after this, but I felt like if I missed this opportunity, I might never come back to this place. Alright, let's go. There is something about good restaurants that draws you in from the exterior. I quickly changed my plans. When I was waiting, an elderly female waitress came out and handed me the menu. There were a lot of options, but I decided to go with the basic fried rice and dumplings. I had to wait a bit longer than expected. The seating was limited, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their dinner slowly, so it was understandable. There were only table seats, no counter seats. With only five groups able to sit, the turnover rate must not be high. Perhaps it's a family-run business? - Medium-sized bottled beer 500 yen - Grilled dumplings 550 yen The dumplings had a dense meat filling with juicy meat juice. The vegetables were a bit scarce. Ah, these are the dumplings I like. - Shrimp fried rice 950 yen The amount of shrimp in this dish is incredible. It was a bit overwhelming. It wasn't too oily or too strong in flavor. The rice was moist and fluffy, and the egg was light. I imagined it would be stronger, but it was quite easy to eat. The presence of the plump shrimp stood out. Alternating between dumplings and fried rice, I savored the meal with beer. This is what a Chinese restaurant in town should be like. Every time I come alone, I think about how I could try more varieties if I came with different people. The sight of a family of three having their meal caught my eye. It was a typical family dining scene you could find anywhere. In that moment, memories of when my family of four used to have dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant when I was in elementary school came flooding back. Chinese food was a treat, and my brother and I would compete to see who could eat more fried rice, dumplings, shrimp chili, etc. Our parents would watch us with a smile, drinking their alcohol. It was just an ordinary memory, nothing special. Yes, when the kids grow a little older, let's come to a Chinese restaurant as a family. Just like our parents did for us, the mundane moments of today will surely become treasures in the future. The bill came to 2,200 yen. "Thank you very much!" I was bid farewell with a very cheerful voice from the owner in the kitchen. "Thank you as well!"

Today's lunch was at a popular local Chinese restaurant in the Higashi-Ogu area of Arakawa-ku that I had been curious about. I visited at 11:40 am on a weekday and was able to get a table without waiting. The restaurant had 4 tables for 4 people and 1 table for 2 people, with 2 of the tables enjoying beer already. I felt a bit envious of them drinking beer in the afternoon... I ordered the Ramen Set for 880 yen (excluding tax), which came with a mini fried rice, a mini mapo tofu rice bowl, and a choice of chimaki, and I chose the mini fried rice. The Ramen Set arrived in about 5 minutes after ordering. It included ramen, mini fried rice, mini salad, pickles, and mini almond jelly, allowing for a variety of flavors to enjoy! The ramen had a traditional soy sauce-flavored soup with straight thin noodles, delivering a consistently delicious taste. The mini fried rice was moist and included egg, ham, chashu, and green onions, with a slightly mild flavor but still tasty. By the time I finished eating around 12 pm, there was a line of about 5 people outside the restaurant. I'm glad I had an early lunch. The delicious ramen set was a treat, thank you for the meal!

Today for lunch, I tried a local Chinese restaurant that I had been curious about for a while. I ordered the ramen and mini mapo tofu rice bowl set, along with a side of dumplings. The ramen had a nice chewy texture and was very delicious. The mapo tofu rice bowl had a good amount of Sichuan pepper which I really enjoyed. The dumplings were also delicious and filling. I saw other menu items that looked really good too. I definitely want to go back again. Thank you for the meal.

I immediately found myself in the top 5 of the best Chinese restaurants I've ever visited. The focus on the food, the attention to detail, and the variety of ideas really stood out. The dishes were truly delicious. It's no wonder it was chosen. The vegetable salad, steamed chicken and seafood spring rolls, clam and egg stir-fry, and shrimp fried rice were all beautiful and I would love to come back 10 more times to try everything. The drinks were also interesting. The seriousness and dedication in the way they cut the vegetables really showed. Lately, I've been having good luck with Chinese food.

There was a line at the Chinese restaurant in the townhouse area, so I had to wait a bit. The seating was not first-come, first-served, but rather based on the restaurant's discretion. I originally came to eat shrimp fried rice, but ended up seeing curry rice and decided to switch. The meat and vegetable curry rice bowl had a slightly bitter taste. It didn't taste like the typical Chinese curry rice made with Chinese soup, but had a unique flavor. It was my first time trying Chinese curry and it was different. The meat seemed to be well-marinated and the vegetables were well-prepared. It wasn't spicy at all. The chicken tempura with sauce on the side was good. The sauce was delicious. The food had a unique taste and the restaurant had a casual townhouse vibe, but the dishes were not typical of a townhouse Chinese restaurant. I didn't love the curry as much, so I think I should have stuck with the shrimp fried rice... I'll have to come back for a rematch.

I had some errands nearby, so I went there for the first time. It's a small Chinese restaurant in town, but inside there are signatures of famous chefs! I was determined to try the shrimp fried rice, but I got curious about the lunch set... I had sweet and sour pork for lunch, while my husband had ramen and fried rice set with assorted spring rolls. I could choose between black vinegar or sweet vinegar for the sweet and sour pork, and I chose the sweet vinegar. It had a refreshing taste with pineapple and was perfect for summer. It was delicious! The fried chicken in the set was big and satisfying. It had a flavorful seasoning with spices, not spicy, which was also tasty. The seafood spring rolls are popular, but we chose the assorted spring rolls. They were filled with plenty of ingredients and were my favorite type. I was also happy with the almond jelly dessert. I really enjoyed the experience of dining at a local Chinese restaurant. I want to go back again... Thank you for the meal!

■Date and Time of Visit: July 30, 2023, 11:10-11:40 ■Number of People: 1 ■Total Amount: 2,288 yen - Ramen Set: 880 yen - Grilled Gyoza (5 pieces): 650 yen - Lemon Sour: 550 yen - Consumption Tax (10%): 208 yen ■Situation: No customers upon arrival, 9 customers arrived later After a three-year hiatus, I revisited the popular local Chinese restaurant in Higashi-Oku, which has been featured on TV several times. As expected, it was empty in the scorching heat, and I was the first customer at lunchtime. By 11:30, the place was full, showcasing its popularity. The food arrived about 15 minutes after ordering. The ramen was a classic simple soy sauce flavor with a subtle aroma of vegetables in the broth, chewy noodles, and although not flashy, it had a distinct personality. The fried rice was generously topped with eggs. The mini salad side dish was fresh and crunchy, and the almond jelly dessert was well-made. The gyoza had a chewy skin and juicy meat filling, showing high quality. I once again experienced the high quality of a local Chinese restaurant. It's a shame that the atmosphere for lingering has diminished due to its popularity, but it's a local favorite that deserves to be appreciated. I would like to revisit for a leisurely weekday dinner.

Revisited a Chinese restaurant in Higashioi. The exterior and interior look like a typical local Chinese restaurant, but the dishes served are meticulously prepared and rival even authentic Chinese cuisine. I felt like having dumplings and beer, so I headed to this place. I wanted to try a variety of dishes, so I called for backup and went with a friend. We arrived during the evening hours. There were two people waiting outside. We waited for about 20 minutes before being seated inside. The turnover seemed slow due to many customers drinking alcohol. Anyway, we ordered the following items to share: Fried eggplant with sauce (880 yen), 5 pieces of pan-fried dumplings (143 yen per piece), Scallops and vegetable stir-fry (935 yen), and of course, draft beer (770 yen). We started with dumplings and beer. Cheers! The ice-cold draft beer paired perfectly with the dumplings. The dumplings had a perfect balance of vegetable texture and meat juices, making them delicious. The skin could have been a bit better though. The fried eggplant was also good, especially the green onion sauce on top. It was excellent and could be used in various ways. I'd love to know the recipe for that sauce. The scallops and vegetable stir-fry was simple but tasty, showcasing the meticulous preparation of the ingredients. It was a testament to Chinese culinary skills. Feeling full, we decided to end with some carbs. I ordered the Curry Fried Rice (990 yen) and my companion ordered the Cold Chew. The Curry Fried Rice was seasoned with curry powder and had finely chopped bell peppers, adding a crunchy texture and a great flavor. The rice and eggs were cooked perfectly, resulting in a delicious fried rice (or dry curry?). While this place is known for its shrimp fried rice, the Curry Fried Rice was a standout on a hot summer day. We finished our meal feeling satisfied. If I had to nitpick, I would say a sweet dessert would have been nice, but the dessert menu here is not that appealing, so I'll satisfy my sweet tooth elsewhere. The highlight of this visit was discovering that the restaurant has an Instagram account. I found out that they are new to Instagram and don't have many posts yet, but they do share menu items, so it's worth checking out for those interested in visiting this place. I requested the addition of their Instagram account to their store information on Tabelog.

In terms of location, it is within walking distance from the traditional townhouses and also from the tram station, but it's not very close. However, considering the atmosphere of the restaurant, the menu, and the pricing balance, it can be said to offer great value for the money. Depending on the time, such as before or after lunch hours, the restaurant's crowdedness may vary, so if you can judge that, you can enjoy a taste of the power of a small downtown Chinese restaurant.

I had dinner at "Chinatown Ichiban" in Higashi-Otsuka, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo. This may be the most popular Chinese restaurant in the area. The shrimp fried rice and seafood spring rolls are popular, but this time I tried only menu items that I had never ordered before.

Arakawa-ku Higashi-Ogu, Chinese restaurant Ichiban, renowned in the Jokita area, established in 1974 (Showa 49). I visited this long-standing Ichiban for the first time! Nearby, there is also a popular ramen shop, Juubun no Ichi, which has been featured in the Bib Gourmand for 6 consecutive years. One of their specialties is the Ebi Cha-han, with seven large prawns lined up. I ordered the Cha-gyo set, which includes Cha-han and Gyoza, a personal favorite in Chinese restaurants. The cozy 16-seat restaurant was fully occupied, and within 15 minutes, we were served with Chinese soup, pickles, and Cha-han. In just 3 minutes, the Gyoza arrived. The Ebi Cha-han is undoubtedly delicious, with a perfect balance of moistness and saltiness, and the prawns were perfectly cooked. The Gyoza had a nice crispy skin and juicy filling, with a delicious blend of meat and vegetable flavors. The loop of Cha-han and Gyoza was really enjoyable. They also offer a variety of popular dishes like meat and vegetable curry rice bowl, so I would like to revisit this place soon. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I was treated to a delicious meal, so it's a 5.0 rating. I came back a week later and decided to try something different from last time, but I couldn't resist ordering the shrimp fried rice again. I prefer dumplings over shumai, so next time I'll go back to ordering dumplings. The fried oysters were incredibly delicious. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

A popular Chinese restaurant in a residential area of Arakawa Ward where there is always a long line. The "Ebi Chahan" with 7 thick and plump shrimp is a big hit, with many people posting picturesque photos of it. The moist and simply seasoned fried rice is enhanced by the strong impact of the shrimp. But what surprised me even more was the "Seafood Spring Rolls"! These spring rolls packed with large shrimp, scallops, and squid are a masterpiece in both texture and flavor. Dip them in the special Sichuan pepper salt for an even tastier experience! Perfect with beer! A hidden gem in the residential area. Impressive! [Visit Date] Sunday (Sunny)/1:15 PM [Line Status] 2 groups - Approx. 15 minutes wait [Total Cost] 2,640 yen [Serving Time] Approx. 6 minutes

The menu at the Chinese restaurant is extensive. Sometimes, the kitchen staff may have trouble remembering how to make a rarely ordered dish. It's best to stick to the classic menu items to avoid causing any inconvenience. I ordered the shrimp fried rice, which was filled with plump and juicy shrimp. The fried rice was moist and not greasy, allowing me to eat a lot. The side soup had a gentle hint of celery in the egg soup. A couple who arrived shortly after me seemed to be struggling to decide on their order. Despite having finished my meal, they were still undecided. I hope they don't make a complicated order that confuses the kitchen staff. Shrimp fried rice: 1050 yen + tax.

Located a short 15-minute walk from Machiya Station, I visited Ichiban after being captivated by their shrimp fried rice and seafood spring rolls. I arrived about 30 minutes after they opened and only had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated. However, the restaurant has limited seating and a slow turnover rate, so some customers were being turned away. The menu is extensive with prices around 1,000 yen. I decided to try the shrimp fried rice, which was surprisingly generous in shrimp size and quantity. The taste was simple and slightly moist. Most importantly, the seafood spring rolls were of such high quality that even my dining companions were impressed. The crispy skin and abundance of filling make it a truly recommended dish.

I give it a 5.0 rating because I was treated to a feast. I haven't been to many places, but I love town Chinese restaurants. This place is not only great in atmosphere but also has amazing flavors that defy the norms of town Chinese restaurants. The unexpected garlic chive ramen was especially fantastic. I will definitely come back again. Thank you for the meal!

It's June 2023, during lunchtime. While in Nippori, I felt like stopping by a place I haven't visited in a while, so I took a detour on my way back. After a short walk from the Nippori Toneri Liner station, I arrived at the restaurant without having to wait in line. Since I had sweet and sour pork last time, this time I ordered the twice-cooked pork set meal. It was a hot day, so I decided to have a beer with my meal and also ordered the famous seafood spring rolls. The beer arrived quickly, followed by the hot and crispy spring rolls. They were filled with shrimp and squid, providing a satisfying crunch. The twice-cooked pork was delicious, with crunchy vegetables like bamboo shoots, bell peppers, cabbage, and shiitake mushrooms. The cabbage had a nice sweetness to it. Despite being twice-cooked pork, the miso sauce was not very spicy, but had a good balance of sweetness and richness, making it quite easy to eat. The rice was also seasoned in a way that made it very moreish. I'm thinking of trying a carb dish next time, as there are so many tempting options on the menu. There are so many delicious choices, it's hard to decide. It was a delicious meal.

Revisited. About a 12-minute walk from Shakujiikoen Station on the Shakujiikoen Line, this restaurant looks like an ordinary Chinese restaurant from the outside, but the dishes served are on par with authentic Chinese cuisine, making it a mysterious place. I was in the mood for Chinese food, so I decided to stop by after work. Note that the evening opening hours have been changed to 5:30 pm, so if you are planning to visit at night, please be aware of this. The restaurant is usually crowded on weekends during the day, but on weekdays at night, you can easily get a table. They also have a weekday dinner set, so weekdays at night might be a good time to visit. Despite saying all that, I didn't order the dinner set. I really wanted to have Chinese curry, so there was no choice. But I also wanted to try the sauce yakisoba... After much deliberation, I ended up ordering the following items: Meat and Vegetable Curry Donburi (990 yen) and Sauce Yakisoba (880 yen). If you can't decide, just order both. It's a simple solution. However, I ordered them with a time gap between each. First, the curry donburi. It's basically a Chinese-style donburi with curry flavor. As the name suggests, it contains various vegetables: onions, carrots, bell peppers, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, baby corn, and pork. What sets it apart is that it doesn't include leafy vegetables commonly found in Chinese-style donburi. Each vegetable is prepared separately, allowing their individual flavors and textures to shine. The onions, in particular, are thickly sliced and sweet all the way to the core. The pork seems to be thigh meat, coated with flour and stir-fried to a tender finish with added seasoning. The flour coating helps the sauce adhere well. As always, their attention to detail is commendable. The curry sauce topping is, of course, curry-flavored. While the spices and spiciness are not strong, it seems that they use Chinese soup as a base, giving the curry a slightly different flavor compared to Western, Indian, or homemade curry. The thick curry sauce coating the rice is delicious. This place is often praised for its shrimp fried rice, but personally, I prefer the curry donburi. The sauce yakisoba also features unique vegetable handling. In most sauce yakisoba dishes, vegetables are roughly chopped, but here, they are finely chopped. The variety of vegetables includes cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, onions, bell peppers, wood ear mushrooms, and Chinese chives, with no meat included. While some ingredients overlap with the curry donburi, the different cuts of vegetables make a noticeable difference. Finely chopped vegetables are better suited for mixing with the noodles and require less cooking time, preventing excess water from being released. Indeed, the vegetables are crispy and fresh, with no excess water. The lack of excess water means that the noodles do not become soggy and break apart. It's common to be disappointed by poorly made sauce yakisoba at mediocre Chinese restaurants, where the noodles break apart easily, but following the proper Chinese yakisoba cooking process results in the best outcome. It's just a simple sauce yakisoba, probably seasoned with regular Worcestershire sauce. It has a different flavor profile from the heavily seasoned yakisoba at okonomiyaki restaurants, but it's also delicious. If I were to nitpick, I might suggest paying more attention to the sauce, but this place seems to focus on showcasing the skillful knife work and cooking techniques of Chinese yakisoba. Despite the unconventional order of double carbohydrates, both dishes were incredibly delicious and I finished them quickly. The egg soup that came with both dishes was unexpected, but of course, I finished it too. While the stir-fried dishes and seafood spring rolls are delicious here, the carb dishes are also outstanding. I'm interested in trying dishes like bean sprout soba and Chinese chive soba, so I definitely need to come back. The problem is there are too many dishes I want to try (laughs).

I was interested because it was featured on Smart News. I used the Toden Arakawa Line to find this restaurant. I asked the nearby company for directions and finally found it. The restaurant seemed small to me. Since there was no counter for one person, I ended up sharing a table with another woman. I was curious about what kind of dishes would be served. The main dish was stir-fried squid with green peppers and baby corn. It also came with egg soup, pickles, salad, cold tofu, and almond jelly dessert, all for 1,072 yen. Each dish had a rich flavor and was delicious! There are various local Chinese restaurants, but this one is really delicious! As proof, customers would leave and new ones would come in. After paying, I walked outside in the pouring rain and saw a couple waiting outside for a table. It was so delicious that I wanted to try different dishes next time.

I wanted to eat delicious fried rice, so I had lunch at Ichiban. The plump shrimp was plentiful and delicious. The assorted spring rolls had a good balance of ingredients and were just the right flavor for me, very satisfying. Eating both dishes left me feeling very full.

◯Ebi Fried Rice 1155 yen: This dish comes with 7 large, well-cooked shrimp. The shrimp is crispy with a good texture and a nice aroma. The fried rice is moist rather than dry, but there are quite a few lumps in the rice which is a bit disappointing. The flavor is subtle and elegant. ◯Seafood Spring Rolls 770 yen: Although you can only see squid in the cross-section, there are shrimp inside. I had high hopes for this dish with the special Sichuan pepper salt, but while the shrimp is delicious, the fried rice itself is just average for the price.