I was drawn in by the visual of the leek soba, so I went to a Shanghai restaurant located across from a famous udon shop that serves kettle-cooked udon. The restaurant is run by an elderly couple and their son, and it has a calm and atmospheric vibe that sets it apart from typical Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood. I ordered the following dishes: Crab and egg stir-fry, spring rolls, leek soba, and pork with diced vegetables over rice. In conclusion, everything I tried was delicious at this restaurant, not just the leek soba. I really like this taste! The use of oil is impressive, light yet flavorful. I wonder what kind of oil they use. The seasoning is also very good, with a strong umami flavor that is elegant and easily blends with the palate. Even with a rich flavor, it doesn't feel heavy. The first bite is delicious, but the second and third bites are even better. The deliciousness gradually builds up as you eat, and by the end, you feel satisfied and enjoy a gentle aftertaste. I especially enjoyed the crab and egg stir-fry. The cooking and ingredients were excellent, but I think the oil played a big role in the taste. It's my favorite! Now, onto the leek soba I came for. The clear broth with smooth thin noodles, topped with freshly chopped leeks and meat miso in the center. The colorful contrast is beautiful. They must have used a well-maintained knife to cut the leeks, as the cross-section is clean and the sharp smell of leeks is hardly noticeable. The leeks, quickly cooked by the hot soup, have a sweetness and subtle depth. I feel like I discovered a new charm of leeks. When you mix the thick meat miso into the light broth, the sweetness of the meat miso spreads throughout, giving the soup a rich flavor. It's so delicious...I finished it in no time! If you're a fan of hearty Chinese food, you might find this place a bit lacking. But that's because it's a completely different style of restaurant, so please understand that. If you enjoy the taste of hotel Chinese food, you might find it quite appealing. Overall, it was a very satisfying dining experience.

I had passed by the front of this restaurant several times during my weekend walks in Yanaka, but it was always closed, so I had assumed that it was closed on weekends and holidays. However, I was intrigued by the photos of the "Nira Soba" that really touched my heart when I looked it up on Tabelog. But you see, the restaurant's homepage doesn't mention its regular holidays, so I had kind of given up on visiting this place. But when I read the reviews carefully, I noticed that some people had visited on weekends. So I did some serious research and found out that they are open on weekends too. So, it turns out that the times I passed by were always during their break time. The name of this restaurant is "BIKA". It's just a 5-minute walk from Nippori Station on the subway. It's right across from the famous udon restaurant "Kamatiku" in Nezu. It was a Monday holiday. After exploring Uguisudani and Nippori, I visited for dinner. It was just past 5:30 PM and it was the last day of a 3-day weekend, so I thought only locals would come for dinner. There were only two other customers when I arrived. I ordered the "Nira Soba" (1430 yen) that I had my eyes on. The dish that the other customers ordered was served first, and then it was time for my "Nira Soba". About 10 minutes after ordering, it arrived. The visual was just as beautiful as I had seen on Tabelog, no, even more beautiful. The noodles were extremely thin and straight, with a strong yet supple texture that was slightly soft. It felt like eating slightly thicker hand-pulled somen noodles. A very good noodle indeed. For a moment, I was reminded of the noodles at "Kichin" in Yamate, but those noodles have a more "translucent" quality. The soup was a clear chicken broth with a light soy sauce flavor that was free of any off-flavors. The soy sauce flavor was slightly weak, but the saltiness was well balanced in the soup. The clear soup was delicious and paired well with the extremely thin noodles. The finely chopped leeks covered the entire bowl, and while you could taste the leek flavor, there was no bitterness or astringency, making it very easy to eat. I have never seen or eaten a Nira Soba as finely chopped and covering the bowl like this before. The ground meat topping was sweet in flavor, and when mixed in, it added a sweet touch to the soup. It was delicious. When I finished eating, there were four more customers. The customers and the restaurant owner were chatting about the recent festival at Nezu Shrine that had taken place the day before and the day before that. It's true that local, well-established restaurants are the best.

A small Chinese restaurant located in a narrow alley about 3 minutes from Negishi Station towards Uguisudani Station. It is not a large restaurant, but it offers slightly luxurious Chinese cuisine that is different from typical casual Chinese food. The menu includes rice dishes and noodles starting from around 1000 yen, appetizers starting from around 2000 yen, and tempura dishes starting from around 1000 yen. This time, we ordered leek noodles, shrimp omelet, and spring rolls. The spring rolls were crispy with a variety of flavorful fillings, very delicious. The shrimp omelet had a gentle yet deep flavor, and a fragrant aroma. Both the spring rolls and the omelet did not have the greasiness that is often found in Chinese cuisine, instead they had a rich flavor. The main dish was leek noodles. It had a soy sauce-based soup with a large amount of leeks and meat miso on top. The noodles were thin and straight, with a slightly chewy texture that was enjoyable. The soup had a gentle soy sauce flavor, yet a complex umami taste. The fresh leeks added a sophisticated fragrance without any unpleasant smell. Mixing in the meat miso at the end for flavor variation was delicious. Discovered a great restaurant in Negishi.

I've recently become obsessed with garlic chives. I always have homemade garlic chive sauce in the fridge and I put it on everything. It's energizing, looks beautiful, and goes well with alcohol. So when I saw the garlic chive soba at "BIKA" restaurant, I knew I had to visit. I went with a friend on a weekday night, and the location is in a hidden alley in Nezu that I wouldn't have found on my own. The interior has a retro Chinese vibe. We ordered the garlic chive soba for 1,300 yen and the stir-fried shrimp with tomatoes for 2,600 yen. First, the stir-fried shrimp with tomatoes was served. It had a very gentle flavor. The sweetness and sourness of the tomatoes blended well with the shrimp. And then, the garlic chive soba, which was all green and visually striking. Just like the previous dish, it had a very gentle flavor. The soup, made from only chicken heads and feet, was elegant, and the garlic chives had no hint of a strong smell. The thin, tender noodles lifted both the garlic chives and the soup. I finished it in no time, but I wanted more soup... It was much more refined than I expected, almost a bit unsatisfying, so we added the "wood ear mushrooms and glass noodles with scrambled eggs for 2,200 yen." This dish was also very gentle. Thinly sliced bamboo shoots, pork, glass noodles, and more were topped with fried scrambled eggs. Every dish was free of greasiness and saltiness (even though they must have been used to some extent, it wasn't noticeable). I know I keep saying this, but they had a gentle and rich flavor. I could have eaten a few more dishes (lol). This long-established restaurant blends in with the town of Nezu, but it's a wonderful place that's a bit different from the typical "local Chinese" image. Thank you for the meal!

On a daytime holiday, I went to this place. The garlic chashu soba had a mild taste and the soup was gentle with a chicken base. It seemed like it would be popular among women! The soup was light, so you could enjoy changing the flavor with the chicken mince topping!

A quirky Chinese restaurant in the backstreets of Negishi with interesting signage. Prices are a bit higher than typical Chinese restaurants in the city. Their specialty is the green ramen, topped with chopped chives and minced meat sauce in the center. The broth is light and clear, and the noodles are thin and straight. The chives flavor is not overpowering, giving the dish a refreshing and elegant taste. The spring rolls have a soft filling that doesn't stand out too much. The cucumber with sesame oil dressing is fresh and delicious. The stir-fried glass noodles and eggs have a sweet and savory flavor that is rich and tasty.

I get off at Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line. In 1987, during the glamorous bubble era, I started coming to this restaurant every day after crossing the Tama River. Even though I rarely come here for work, I decided to visit during Golden Week with the help of the holiday. I will be trying the famous leek soba here. Despite the slightly hot weather, the refreshing atmosphere and the sight of people with parasols passing by the front of the restaurant are enjoyable. A beautifully presented bowl of ramen arrives, reminiscent of a blue coral reef on a tropical island. The finely chopped leeks don't stand out much, but they complement the clear broth and soft thin noodles perfectly. With the local feel and the ambiance of this restaurant, it's a high-quality and delicious bowl of noodles. 🌟

Nira-tanmen ¥1,320 (price at the time of visit) First visit. This Chinese restaurant is popular in the area. The location feels like a typical Chinese town, but the food is authentic Chinese. Finally made it to this place that I've had in mind for a while. Actually, I tried to go once before, but it closed early (maybe due to COVID), so I tried again. I had my eyes set on the Nira-tanmen. The thin noodles meant that the time between ordering and serving was quick. The bowl itself is vibrant in color, making it the most colorful Nira ramen I've ever had. While visually focusing on the Nira, when I actually tasted it, my taste buds reacted to the delicious soup base. The broth was flavorful with a well-balanced saltiness. The Nira didn't immediately stand out in the first bite, but its flavor gradually emerged. With its rich flavor, when paired with the meat miso and slurped together, it created a delightful taste experience.

I have started a gourmet website for Mitomi Emon. Homepage "https://blog.33inc.jp/" Instagram "@mitomi_emon" Yanaka-Sen, an area in Tokyo that retains the nostalgic atmosphere of the downtown area. This time, I visited the Chinese restaurant "BIKA" in Nedu. Established in 1987, it is a well-established Chinese restaurant that has firmly rooted in Yanaka-Sen. The owner is a talented chef who has trained at Chinese restaurants and Louwailou restaurants. By the way, "BIKA" is the same name as the wife's family's Shanghai restaurant. There is a famous dish that lives up to all the high expectations. It is the leek soup noodles, also known as leek soba. First, take a look at its visual presentation. The leeks spread beautifully on the surface of the water, with minced meat piled up in the center. The soup is made only from chicken heads and feet, resulting in a very gentle and clear taste. The leeks provide a refreshing sensation rather than bitterness, while the minced meat offers a slight spiciness and strong sweetness. Everything comes together perfectly. The finely chopped leeks adhere to the soft straight noodles, bringing the essence of leeks with every bite. The visual presentation has a purpose as well. There seems to be plenty more to explore in Yanaka-Sen's gourmet scene. I will definitely come back. Thank you for the meal!

Monthly lunch in Sendagi-Nenyu area. I recently changed my nail salon to one nearby, so this area has become a must-visit for me once a month. This time, I decided to try this place. Apparently, the popular item here is "Nira Soba" - I was a bit hesitant about the bitterness, but decided to give it a try since it's a popular choice. I also ordered the "Gomoku Ankake Rice" as my second dish. I was actually craving for "Umani Soba" but having both dishes with ankake sauce seemed a bit much. The service was exceptionally fast. The "Nira Soba" was served in a green bowl with finely chopped chives on top. The noodles were very thin and the soup was elegant with a nice sweetness from the meat miso. The "Gomoku Ankake Rice" was elegantly presented with a variety of ingredients. The ankake sauce was surprisingly sweet, but delicious. I added a bit of vinegar halfway through to change the flavor, and before I knew it, both dishes were finished. The restaurant had a sophisticated Chinese restaurant vibe, with interesting decorations, but it was not intimidating and provided a quiet dining experience. Overall, the portion size was just right and the food was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

On a holiday, I went to a restaurant in Nezu that I had been curious about for a while. The exterior was intriguing and the interior was quite lovely, with a calm and sophisticated atmosphere. I ordered the popular garlic chive noodles and the mixed topping rice bowl. The garlic chive noodles were visually beautiful, with minced meat and garlic chives in the center. The garlic chives weren't as pungent as I expected, and the thin noodles were delicious. The rice bowl had a small portion, especially the rice. It was just right for us, who have become light eaters, but might not be enough for others. It had a decent amount of seafood and a slightly rich flavor, overall feeling refined.

I came to BIKA in Neguya for the first time in two years before 7 pm on a regular day. There was one other group of customers who seemed to be locals. The staff at the restaurant were friendly and engaging in conversation. I ordered the ● leek soba noodles ● shrimp and egg stir-fry, and both dishes were served in about 10 minutes. I think the leek soba noodles became a specialty here after Hayashiya Shozo praised them on TV. I had the leek soba noodles last time I visited, and they were just as delicious as before. The shrimp and egg stir-fry was a good choice. I couldn't drink because I was working, but it was also delicious with great seasoning. It's not a typical Chinese restaurant, but it has become a local favorite. A family came in after us. Thank you for the meal.

I finally tried the specialty dish "Nira Soba" for 1,200 yen at a Chinese restaurant called "Bika" that I had been wanting to eat. The surface of the soup is covered with finely chopped chives. On top of that is minced meat with thickened sauce. When I removed the chives with a spoon, I could see clear Chinese soup and delicate Chinese noodles. The soup has a very mild and gentle taste with no strong flavors. It is refreshing. Even when I melted the thickened minced meat and drank it, the taste didn't change much. It has an extremely refreshing and gentle flavor. The Chinese noodles are as thin as somen noodles, almost resembling them. I have never seen such thin Chinese noodles before. The flavor of the noodles is also refreshing. Because the noodles are so thin, they mix well with the soup, which has a subtle umami taste. Perhaps this combination was chosen to enhance the strong flavor of the chopped chives? I finally finished the famous Nira Soba dish and even drank up all the soup!

Before 1 PM. I managed to get a seat, but the place was almost entirely filled with what seemed to be local ladies. The menu is extensive, with portions that are good for sharing between 2 to 3 people. I wanted to try the famous leek noodles, but today I felt like having eggs. I went with the Crab Omelette for 1800 yen! The eggs were just the right texture, not too soft or too hard. They must have used around 3 to 4 eggs. The crab meat was plentiful and the green onions added a nice touch. The flavor itself was a perfect balance of Chinese seasonings and crab broth, not too light or too heavy. It was really delicious. I'm curious about other items on the menu, but they are priced for 2 to 3 people, so I had to pass. This Chinese restaurant doesn't rely too much on artificial seasonings and has just the right amount of oil, so I hope everyone goes and shares different dishes.

In the downtown area of Tokyo, around Yanaka-Senji, I went for lunch and targeted a local Chinese restaurant called "BIKA." Based on reviews, their specialty seems to be the "Nira Soba." I sat at a table in this nostalgic Showa-era restaurant and ordered the "Nira Soba." Unfortunately, I had to pass on the beer because I had plans later on. The "Nira Soba" arrived with finely chopped chives covering the bowl, served with a clear soup and thin noodles - a classic ramen dish unique to this longstanding Chinese restaurant. The taste was nostalgic and comforting. Although it's called "Nira Soba," the chive flavor was not overpowering, making it a well-balanced dish overall. It truly lived up to being a specialty dish from a traditional Chinese restaurant. Thank you for the meal.

Today's goal of the walk was to have lunch at BIKA and try their famous Ja Ja sauce on top of leek soba noodles! Coming down from Sendagi, turn left at the Nezu Ichome intersection, then turn right at the intersection near Daikokuya Senbei shop, and you'll see the BIKA sign right away! Upon entering the restaurant, I realized I had been here over 10 years ago and had wanted to revisit. I had already eaten breakfast, so I resisted the temptation of beer and spring rolls and only ordered the leek soba noodles! The stubborn-looking owner and the elegant lady with a stylish hair color create a lovely atmosphere in the simple interior adorned with ancient Chinese decorations. Now, about the leek soba noodles! The beautiful contrast between the green leeks and the sauce immediately caught my eye. And hidden beneath them was a beautifully clear soup that was also delicious! The thin noodles were just to my liking. The beauty and deliciousness were both perfect. I finished every drop of the soup. I now want to try other dishes here! I will definitely come back soon! #Neku Gourmet #Yanase Gourmet #Chinese cuisine #Shanghai cuisine

Chinese food tends to have strong flavors, and this place was no exception. However, the noodles were delicious. I often get thirsty when I eat sushi or other flavorful dishes, and I end up drinking water or tea all day until bedtime. I came across some delicious noodles today. They were really tasty. If only they didn't make me so thirsty... But the thin noodles themselves were exceptional. I couldn't decide whether to enjoy the noodles or avoid the thirst. The restaurant across the street, "Kametake," had a long line due to a grand reopening, but this place had only one customer before me and no one after. I was curious about the lack of customers, but maybe next time in Yanaka, I'll try the light-flavored udon instead. Today's order: "Jokei Yumen" (Five-Ingredient Soba) for 1,320 yen. The thin noodles reminded me of somen noodles. They were served with a rich an sauce and flavorful broth. The well-cooked thick cuttlefish in the center was delicious. The sauce had a strong flavor, typical of Chinese cuisine, but surprisingly it wasn't overpowering. Perhaps they used a lighter oil. Even after returning home, I still felt quite thirsty. The dilemma lies in choosing between savoring this delightful encounter or giving in to the thirst.

At Negishi, I had Chinese food. I tried the leek ramen. The finely shredded leeks were beautiful! I can't make this at home... The clear and simple soup was elegant. I want to try this soup with fried rice as a set, haha. Towards the end, the meat filling starts to melt and gives a punch. The aroma of leeks is amazing. The spring rolls were delicious. The freshly fried scent was nice! It had a traditional filling of bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms. The skin had multiple layers and was thick, creating a perfect balance with the filling. The glass noodles were extremely delicious. It was a very elegant and delicious Chinese meal! Thank you for the feast!

Exploring Tokyo gourmet! Bunkyo-ku, Nezu edition. Special dish: Nira soba topped with Jajang sauce! Long-awaited first visit to popular Shanghai cuisine "Bika"! On a cold winter day with clear skies, I felt like eating something to warm up, so I remembered a restaurant I had checked out, Nezu lunch! From Nezu Station, I walked down Inari Street towards Yanaka Reien Cemetery, and before reaching the popular udon shop "Kamitake", I found this stylish Chinese restaurant. Established in 1987, the owner, who trained at the famous restaurant Logairohanten, opened this elegant Chinese restaurant that is popular among sophisticated gourmet ladies and families in the neighborhood. The specialty dish is Nira soba topped with Jajang sauce! Popular Shanghai cuisine "Bika", eagerly awaited first visit! I arrived around 12:30 pm, and the restaurant was almost full but there were some empty tables. First, I ordered the spring rolls for ¥700, and a Qingdao beer to quench my thirst. After waiting for a while, the crispy spring rolls arrived, fried to a golden brown. They were carefully made and filled with hot filling. The crispy and chewy texture of the crust was excellent, and the filling was perfectly seasoned with a great mix of ingredients. Then, I ordered the specialty dish, Nira soba for ¥1200. After a 10-minute wait, the Nira soba arrived with minced meat on top, swimming in a sea of finely chopped leeks. I first tasted the soup, which had a refined chicken broth flavor. It was a bit salty, but when I mixed the minced meat into the soup and drank it, the taste became smooth, rich, and elegant. The thin Chinese noodles, minced meat, soup, and leeks all combined perfectly, creating an exquisite and delicious flavor. The subtle soy sauce flavor was well-balanced and absolutely delicious. It was so tasty that I finished the soup completely. The meticulous work and excellent flavors of this authentic Shanghai cuisine were addictively delicious. I will definitely visit again. Delicious and exquisite!

There is a shop a little away from Negishi. Although there is a famous udon shop nearby, I went to try the leek soba. Despite its appearance, the leek soba is light in flavor. Since it is a Shanghai cuisine restaurant, it is similar to the ramen I had in Shanghai. It was delicious. The deliciousness slowly grows on you afterwards. It feels like a waste to leave behind the finely chopped leeks, so I end up finishing the soup as well.

Looking for delicious leek soba, I headed to Yanaka-Sen. Yanaka-Sen is a town I love, with a nostalgic atmosphere that is simply irresistible, and it also has various gourmet options. Here is a well-known restaurant in Yanaka-Sen that serves leek soba. It is more of a slightly upscale Chinese restaurant rather than a typical town Chinese eatery. It seems to specialize in Shanghai cuisine. This was my long-awaited first visit. I arrived on Sunday at 12:20, with a total of 8 customers including a family of 4 and a group of 2. The interior of the restaurant had a chic and calming atmosphere, setting it apart from typical town Chinese eateries. Embarrassingly, I don't know much about Shanghai cuisine specifically, but there were menu items like shark fin exceeding 5,000 yen. Today's order: Leek soba ¥1,320, Shumai ¥770. The dishes were served in just over 10 minutes. The visual presentation of the leek soba was different from typical town Chinese leek soba. A large amount of finely chopped leeks covered the entire soup. In the center, there was minced meat stir-fried like a sauce. Let's dig in. The soup, which seemed to be made from chicken bones, was gentle. The subtle umami of the chicken combined with the aroma of the leeks, creating a perfect harmony in the mouth. Delicious, too delicious! I didn't know such leek soba existed... It was a very refined dish compared to typical leek soba. The minced meat was seasoned slightly spicy with soy sauce. This also showed an excellent compatibility with the soup and leeks. It was incredibly delicious. The noodles were extremely thin and straight. They had a smooth texture, with not much firmness, but they slurped well and paired perfectly with the soup. This might be the correct answer for leek soba. The shumai was also delicious. It was meaty but somehow refreshing, making it seem like you could eat as many as you want. This was truly a wonderful restaurant. I'm sure everything else besides the leek soba is also incredibly delicious. I will definitely revisit. Thank you for the meal.