Takano

If you can stay in business for 15 years, you must be doing something right. In the case of Takano, it's several things, with a diverse selection of dishes to keep even the most discerning noodle-lover happy. Not sure what to go for? The basic chuka soba (¥680) is a good starting point for nervous newcomers: the combination of rich Akita free-range chicken with sweet niboshi (dried sardines) makes for a full-flavoured broth that's not too greasy. Topped off with thick slices of chashu pork and a gooey parboiled egg, it's a masterpiece of Tokyo-style ramen. Other equally enticing options include the butagamo no tsukesoba (dipping ramen with pork and duck, ¥730), aguni no shio tsukesoba (dipping ramen with salt-based broth, ¥830), tokusei sanra-tanmen (special hot and sour soup with noodles, ¥730) and takano don (rice bowl, ¥150), as well as our personal favourite, the tokusei chuka soba (special Tokyo-style ramen, ¥900). Located near Ebara-Nakanobu Station on the Tokyu Ikegami line, the restaurant offers good service and is steeped in character: inside, you can read the success stories of former apprentice chefs who've graduated from Takano. If you're looking for an introduction to Tokyo-style ramen, look no further.