Pyon Pyon Sha ぴょんぴょん舎

Ginza glacé 11F, 3-2-15, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061
Tokyo Solamachi 6F, 1-1-2, Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 131-0045

www.pyonpyonsya.co.jp

If you're not familiar with Morioka Reimen, it's a cold noodle soup dish with a unique, chewy and starchy texture to the noodles. 'Reimen' is originally from Korea, but Morioka reimen was developed in the Iwate region in Japan. The dish is usually spicy, but can be adjustable, with a piece of fruit in the soup to balance out the heat.

Here, at Pyonpyonsha, there are four levels of spice available, including the mildest where the spice comes separately for you to adjust to your own liking. The noodles are perfectly chewy, as they should be, and this dish is refreshing and satisfying.

The menu is vast, with many different options of mixing and matching dishes so that you are able to eat everything you would like. If you are someone who has difficulty in making decisions what dish to get, this menu will allow you the option to not leave your meal unsatisfied. There are also specials, such as the 'overflowing pork' on rice, pictured below.

Some examples of the lunch sets include:
- Reimen + Kalbi BBQ Meat + Namul (different sizes available) = ¥1780/¥1980
- Mini Reimen + Mini Dolsot Bibimbap + Mini Korean Pancakes + Mini Namul + Mini Braised Dish + Mini Dessert = ¥1630
- One noodle dish + 'something extra' (e.g. mini Bulgogi on rice, Kimbap, Mini Bibimbap) = ¥1380

...and lots more! You can check out their full menu here.

For something different from the regular Japanese staples, try this place out- it's going to be like nothing you've tried before.

A Happy Pancake 幸せのパンケーキ

4−9−3 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo Kiyohara Building B1 (Omotesando)
1-18-8 Dougenzaka Plaza Nishinaya Bldg. 3F (Shibuya)
5-8-5 Ginza. New Ginza Building 7F (Ginza)
1-2-4 Higashiikebukuro,  TⅡ Building B1F (Ikebukuro)
1-8-5 Musashino-shi, Kichijōji Honchō, Renga Kan Mall (Kichijoji)

http://magia.tokyo/

There is not much to say, but FLUFFY. Light, sweet, soft, airy and everything happy. There are all sorts of different variations to the soufflé style pancakes here, at 'Shiawase no Pancake', such as the Tiramisu pancakes, Hot Chocolate pancakes, Milk Tea Pancakes, as well as the regional and seasonal pancakes such as the Matcha Pancakes (Kyoto), and the Sicilan Orange and Salted Caramel Pancakes (Sendai). They do also have some savoury options (with different savoury pancakes!) as a set with salad and smoked salmon/omelette if you didn't fancy something sweet.

Each serving takes 20 minutes to prepare, with the griddle in the kitchen in full view. The queue is also pretty long, probably at any time, but they do have a ticketed system so you can always wait while strolling around the town if you would prefer.

These pancakes are pretty special, so I do think this place is worth a visit, at least once. I think having all the sauces/honey drowsed on them would be a bit of an overkill, but maybe that's just me. I would eat a whole plate (or two) of them just as they are!

Funabashiya 船橋屋

3-28-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
1-5-1 Shin-Marunouchi Building, Chiyoda-ku

With the original restaurant in the centre of Shinjuku, and another in the Shin-Marunouchi building, this tempura restaurant is fantastic in every way.

The freshest fish fried in top quality oil, with the fish options changing season to season, the taste of this tempura reminds you of the tastes that one can only find in Japan. Even the vegetables are fried in the batter to perfection, with the proportions just right, creating the ideal texture.

There are many set menu options available, prices starting quite low (around ¥1560), going upwards into the options of having courses. It is also possible to just order what you want (okonomi), which might be ideal for groups dining at the counter with different appetites and speeds. Sit at the counter (which you can also request upon reserving), and you can watch everything going on and admire how fresh the fish is.

Go, especially if you are trying real tempura for the first time. I guarantee you it will be a special meal.

Menya Cocoro 麺屋こころ

3-6-9 Minamisenzoku, Ota-ku (Ookayama)
3-20-4 Kandaogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku (Ochanomizu)
2-21-7 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku (Takadanobaba)
7-69-1 Tokyu Plaza 1F, Nishikamata, Ota-ku (Kamata)
1-9-11 Umegaoka, Setagaya-ku (Umegaoka)
1-11 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Kagurazaka)
3-1 Kanda Sakumacho, Chiyoda-ku (Akihabara)

www.menya-cocoro.com

Rumour has it, these Taiwan-style noodles aren't even Taiwanese. Although the dish itself is called 'Taiwan mazesoba', it comes from the fact that the spicy, soy sauce-based minced meat that is the main topping is derived from Taiwan. The noodles sit beneath an array of toppings, including a raw egg yolk on top, is soupless and is designed to be all stirred up vigorously.

This popular chain has spread to various locations in Tokyo, as well as in other cities in Japan. You should definitely expect to queue, but all considerate noodle-eaters know that one should not linger too long in this type of eatery after finishing your meal, so the wait shouldn't be all that bad.

The ordering system is a classic Japanese ramen-ya style; select what you want from the vending machine, choose any additional toppings and collect your ticket and wait shortly until your food arrives.

There is a choice of various portions of noodles and toppings, options for everyone, really. There is also the option for a very meaty mazesoba as well as regular ramen in soup.

They advise that you leave the leftover sauce at the bottom of your bowl to ask for rice (no cost) so that you can enjoy every last drop of the deliciously rich and punchy flavour soaked up in the rice.

Don't expect it to be a social place, more a quick and cheap, but hearty meal like most ramen places in Japan.