Gonroku

Dipping thick noodles into seafood-accented broth brings an immediate impression of springy elasticity and chew. Tsukemen is the centrepiece at Gonroku in Ryogoku, and a key draw is that regular and large portions are priced identically. Arriving with a healthy appetite and opting for a generous serving is an easy way to appreciate the full character of the noodles.

Alongside the standard tsukemen, the shop prepares variations such as appetite-whetting spicy tsukemen, miso tsukemen, and spicy miso tsukemen. Countertops are stocked with diced raw onion, dried fish powder, and vinegar, letting diners introduce crunch and aromatic savouriness to adjust the rich broth to their liking mid-bowl. Once the noodles are finished, adding soup-wari broth thins out the remaining dipping base into a warm soup to sip down to the end.

The dining room is arranged primarily around counter seating and uses a ticket vending machine, making it straightforward to settle in for a solo meal. Pan-fried and boiled gyoza as well as beer appear on the ticket machine alongside noodles, serving equally well for a quick midday lunch or a late-night bite.