暑さと戦わないメニュー : Niko

I came to check out the news that a train purchased from Odakyu was now in operation on the Seibu Kokubunji Line, but it seems it wasn't running that day. I quickly gave up and decided to have an early lunch at this restaurant. On a hot day like this, the convenient location of this place, not too far from the station, is definitely a plus.
I ordered the Gomoku Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Chinese Noodles with Assorted Toppings): Wow, there are two whole slices of chashu! How luxurious! And jellyfish is a classic ingredient here. Alright, let’s dig in. The medium-thick noodles are chewy and smooth, which is great! I immediately take a bite of the chashu! The reason being, there's no need to warm it up at the bottom of the bowl, which is a nice touch. The texture is slightly chewy, but you can really enjoy the smoothness of the fat. Jellyfish is not a common ingredient in many dishes, but perhaps this is the best way to enjoy it...
I usually don’t eat this item much, but this year I've had it enough to feel that there isn’t much difference no matter where you get it. I wonder if there’s a place that offers something unique, like super spicy or guarana-flavored variations (just an example), something different in the realm of cold noodles?

After a long day at a remote site, my energy was at zero. Following that, I had a remote meeting in my car until sunset. I realized I might get lost on my way home if I didn't eat dinner somewhere... Oh right, I know a great place.

Crab Fried Rice: It may not look flashy, but this fried rice is a treasure hunt with crab meat spread throughout, not just on top! The gentle aroma of crab wafts through, and the flavor bursts in your mouth! The crisp soup acts as a refreshing reset. It's delicious as well.

Dumplings: It's not that I haven't had dumplings before, but every time I revisit them, I am reminded of just how tasty these dumplings are! The filling is mainly vegetables, but the seasoning is expertly done, making them delicious even with just vinegar and pepper. The chewy texture of the wrapper is irresistible. It's been a while since I've had something this good outside of a specialty shop.

Today's music: Shiori no Theme / Southern All Stars

Sorry for the strange pun! w

The katsudon was incredibly delicious, right on target with my expectations!

I don’t mean to brag, but I consider my homemade tonkatsu to be quite impressive. However, when it comes to making katsudon, I struggle a bit. I wonder why that is. I happened to notice this dish on the menu at this restaurant and decided to learn from it.

Wow, it’s really tasty! It has a strong flavor impact. I think the challenge with katsudon lies in the egg binding, making it hard to nail the seasoning. Yet, this flavor seems to have some secret to it, not just the right dilution of the nibmen soy sauce. What that secret is... I still haven’t figured it out, haha. This dish definitely requires a correspondingly worthy “tuition fee.” The pork cutlet isn’t super tender but has a nice crisp bite, and the meat flavor is concentrated well. Combined with the slightly sweet katsudon sauce, the enriching broth creates a delightful synergy! Such a fun dish to enjoy.

The restaurant has a sharp focus on flavors, yet the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Both the owner and the staff are friendly, creating a comforting vibe.

As I write this, the autumn rains have suddenly made the temperature drop, making it feel like deep autumn. Just two days ago, I had the air conditioner on. I continued to enjoy summer vegetables as if to mourn the passing of summer. Due to personal reasons, I find it a bit sad when summer ends, but I happen to love songs themed around this time of year, so I often lose myself in those tunes, feeling a bit melancholic.

On this day, it was a hot day reminiscent of summer, and I wanted to maintain my health with summer vegetable dishes. After much contemplation, I decided to order the Mapo Eggplant, even though it seemed like it wasn't a noodle day. As soon as the dish was served, the aroma of miso filled the air! Oh, this creamy eggplant! The contrast of a strong flavor with mild vegetables follows the basic principle of deliciousness. While I might sound like I've experienced dining at the local spot, I actually enjoyed this at a Bali-inspired Chinese restaurant in Ikebukuro. Their approach of using intense seasonings for cauliflower and green beans seems to reflect a similar culinary theory (if such a thing exists). Though our restaurant's dish isn't overly spicy, it has a rich, deep flavor that calls for rice!

Today, the chef was warm and welcoming. If I were to compare it to the seasons, it felt like a balmy day in early spring? I might remember days like this in the month left with lingering late autumn to early winter.

I recently developed a little obsession with Gomoku Soba, so I remembered this place and stopped by after work in Kokubunji.

The second-generation couple is as refreshing as ever. Even though we are of the same generation, I feel inspired to learn from them.

It seems there have been some price adjustments due to the recent tax increase. From what I gathered later, it looks like some noodle dishes have remained the same, while set meals have been revised. By the way, the price of Gomoku Soba has changed from JPY 800 to JPY 850. It still comfortably fits within the local Chinese food definition of under JPY 1,000!

Now, about that Gomoku Soba—the rich-colored broth is quite different from what I've had at other places. How does it taste? Well, it’s robust! With a toasted aroma, the flavor is vibrant! It reminds me a bit of Champon, but that might just be because it has shrimp among the ingredients. The depth of flavor is quite satisfying. I feel like thick noodles would pair well with it, but these thin noodles also hold the flavor nicely.

A recent comment from one of my fellow reviewers mentioned that Chinese Gomoku Soba is a variation of the Okame Soba you find at soba shops. That makes sense, especially since the one at Ikko in Takaiido had a datemaki topping. I forgot to take a picture here, but at the next place, I want to imitate a certain reviewer and share a Fukuwarai image. I can almost hear my late mother’s voice saying, "Don’t play with your food!"

During my visit the other day, I discovered a cake shop next door, but my companions prevented me from going in, so I plan to revisit later. I also made sure to return to this restaurant to try the fried chicken set meal that I couldn't order that day. Fortunately, I was able to successfully place my order this time.

The chicken had a tender yet slightly chewy texture with just the right amount of juiciness. I believe this is made with chicken breast, but some special preparation has made it taste this good. It reminded me of the fried chicken bento from Tsuruya in Otsuka 3-chome. This might mean that the preparation for this dish differs from the sweet and sour chicken my companion had the other day.

The dipping sauce allowed for changing the flavor! It worked perfectly on top of rice. I found myself wanting to eat it endlessly.

Until now, I've always visited during lunch hours, and the restaurant has been quite full every time. The convenient location likely contributes, but I can't help but feel that the contents are truly appealing. It makes me wonder if there's a genuine revival of local Chinese cuisine happening.

This week, I've been having a lot of flat curry with a thick sauce. I wonder if everyone eventually returns to the taste they grew up with, like salmon.

One day during a late lunch, I revisited this restaurant after a while. My partner ordered the Sweet and Sour Chicken, but it seemed they had run out of chicken, and the lady informed me that the Fried Chicken Set was unavailable. However, this turned out to be the setup for a big hit of the day. I already had a second choice in mind: the Katsu Curry.

Due to the crowd, it took a little while, but the Katsu Curry was finally served. From the side, it looked quite appealing with a generous portion. Let's dig in. Mmm!

"Sweet, spicy, and delicious!" It’s been a while since I exclaimed, "Sweet, spicy, and delicious!" The reason for the quotation marks is that I'm mimicking my favorite reviewer.

Yes, this curry is sweet. The sweetness comes from the fat of the pork. The fat from the cutlet has a similar flavor. Are they using some really good ingredients?

And it's spicy. It's not a burning heat, but it has a nice spiciness. The aroma is more tropical than oriental. I couldn't confirm if they were roasting spices and making the sauce from scratch since I was seated where I couldn't see the kitchen, but it tasted like it could be.

Additionally, I enjoyed alternating between the soup and the curry, savoring the synergy! Delicious! This simple Chinese soup really shines!

I often use this analogy: it's like a white ball coming in from the outfield, exceeding my expectations! There might still be a hidden gem at this restaurant!

Revisiting with some new images.
I had the Chashu Ramen on rice! Oh my, such luxury! The exquisite chashu is still amazing as ever! That tender melt-in-your-mouth feeling! And before I knew it, I had finished the entire broth... Oh no, what's going to happen to my body?

Nearby, an elder introduced this restaurant, claiming to be an old acquaintance. After looking it up on a popular food review site, I found only one review, but it was from a highly reliable reviewer.

According to Kawai Tsugunosuke, this restaurant is related to Kume-gawa "Niko." Wait, is that the fishing guy!? Could there possibly be fish prints here too...? It seems to be closed often, but do they serve fish dishes the next day?

...Yes, it was just your ordinary local Chinese restaurant. The decor has a vintage charm, and there's a husband and wife team running the place, who seem slightly younger than me. Perhaps they are the second generation? They may not be strikingly handsome or beautiful, but both have a bright and refreshing presence that is truly memorable.

I might be a bit too old for this, but I tried a set menu. You can add various items to your ramen, and everything stays under JPY 1,000, which is remarkable! Given that there are many schools in the area, this strategy seems well thought out.

The flavors are distinctly Japanese-style Chinese. Particularly, this simple ramen is always exquisite, and I often find myself finishing the broth without realizing it. The chashu has that wonderful tender quality that simply melts in your mouth. Next time, I have to come back for a photo with it on rice.

The restaurant's atmosphere and dishes give off a Showa-era vibe, but somehow this ramen feels more modernly modified than the originals... Maybe I'm mistaken?

Although the station is small, all the customers seem to gather on this side, making it a conveniently good location. With bright service, above-average taste, and filling meals at a great price, this place has impressive performance.

The title plays on the character '幸' (meaning happiness) in the restaurant's name... but even writing the lyrics to a Western song doesn't bring that tune to mind...