Arakiya

The Itabashi-born Nakamoto ramen chain is known for its fiery brand of noodles, popular enough to have spawned over 15 branches all across Tokyo. However, the enterprise has had to face some setbacks in recent days, including the closing of its long-running Kamata shop. With the original gone, somebody had to pick up the spicy ramen slack in the heart of Ota, and who better to do so than the former owner of the local Nakamoto. Ever since its April 2015 opening, Arakiya, his new venture, has enjoyed brisk business serving up eye-wateringly hot concoctions in the Nakamoto mould. The signature ookara nikumiso-men (¥800) is best approached carefully.