Lunch today was in Shinjuku. I saw a review by a MyRebi member the other day and the seasonal limited pumpkin spicy udon at Ittetsumihassen-ya looked really delicious, so I came to try it out. Although my workplace is in the same ward, I rarely visit Shinjuku for work or personal reasons. Recently, the last time I came for lunch was two weeks in a row at a curry shop in Shinjuku Nishiguchi at the end of May and beginning of June. Furthermore, it's been so long since I got off at the south exit of the station that I can't remember. I walked west along Koshu Kaido in front of me, crossed the first Shinjuku Nishiguchi intersection, turned onto a side street (Kokusai-dori), and then turned right at the third corner onto Sanban-gai Street. After a short walk, I saw a building where the restaurant was located on the right. I arrived just before opening, and there were 3 groups of customers in front of the building entrance. The staff came down immediately and guided those people upstairs, so I followed and went up the stairs. The group of customers went to a table right in front of the entrance, while I followed the guide and sat at the back of the L-shaped counter seat surrounding the kitchen. I ordered the seasonal limited pumpkin spicy udon for 1,000 yen, a lunch set (daily side dish and rice) for an additional 200 yen, and 2 pieces of Tottori Oyama chicken kashiwa tempura for 150 yen (tax included). The food was served in less than 10 minutes. The pumpkin spicy udon had a creamy soup like pumpkin potage with thick and chewy udon noodles, bacon, and 3 types of mushrooms as toppings, sprinkled with black pepper. Additionally, there was bonito flakes on a separate plate that you could add yourself before eating. The pumpkin soup had a delicious combination of pumpkin sweetness, bonito dashi umami, and the aroma of cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom. The udon noodles had excellent chewiness that you wouldn't find often even at a Sanuki udon specialty shop, and it was exactly my type. Despite being a regular size, it was quite satisfying. The lunch set had a meatloaf as the daily side dish. It wasn't warm as it was pre-made, but the taste and portion were satisfactory. The rice was cooked well, and for an additional 200 yen, it was decent. The kashiwa tempura was thick, juicy, and hot. Getting 2 pieces for 150 yen was fantastic. By the way, on the menu, the furigana for "pumpkin" was not "kabocha" but "nankin." I found it strange and later discovered that this is often called in Kansai and western Japan. Although I didn't have high expectations as it was a creative udon chain with an izakaya side business, the taste and cost performance were impeccable when I actually tried it. It truly lives up to being listed in the top 100 udon shops, and it surpasses udon specialty shops. The service was also bright and polite, fitting the level of a top 100 shop. I definitely want to try the chilled potato soup udon that ended in September before this pumpkin spicy udon. So, I commented on the restaurant's Instagram saying "I can't wait for next year," and I was invited to try the winter limited menu. It seems that the winter limited menu called "Chicken White" will start from November as a winter tradition. Hmm, it does look delicious, so I might come back to try it out before next summer.

I went to this restaurant with a friend for a meal. We ordered a variety of oden and other side dishes, and finished off with udon noodles. Overall, I felt like this place is more of an udon shop than anything else. The food wasn't bad, but the udon really stood out. The cold udon, in particular, was the best I've had among the Sanuki udon I've tried in Tokyo. One thing that was disappointing was the strong smell coming from the second floor restroom. Even though I was seated far from it, the smell would waft over whenever the door opened, and it was quite unpleasant. It's an older building, so maybe it can't be helped, but I hope they can do something about it. I would like to visit again for lunch if I have the chance. This is just my personal opinion.

I felt like eating grilled fish, so I decided to go to Shinpachi Shokudo, but wait, this place seems familiar? With a wait of 3 people, I had no choice but to enter Ichidaku Hassen-ya. It seems to be a Sanuki udon restaurant. I usually order cold udon with chikuwa tempura and kashiwa tempura, but I'm curious about the limited edition octopus tempura bukkake. It's close to Shinjuku Station, so I'll be able to come back soon. I love octopus, so I went with the octopus tempura. The octopus slices were thin but had a strong flavor, quite delicious for Tokyo standards. The udon was indeed Sanuki udon, with a good chewy texture and substantial weight. It was quite delicious. Next time, I want to try the cold udon to enjoy the flavor of the broth. If I peek in and there's no line, I might just go in. Thank you for the meal.

I had quite a bit of time before meeting up with a friend, so I decided to wander around Shinjuku and have lunch by myself. I came across this place while browsing through Tabelog and looking at signs. Even though it had just opened, there were already three customers inside. Before I knew it, the place was packed. I was indecisive about what to order, but ended up choosing the white meat udon. The menu described it as a pork bone soup, but it actually had a strong ginger flavor and was miso-based. The udon had a nice chewy texture and was satisfying to eat. I considered getting a large portion, but ended up finishing all the soup, so the regular size was just right. There are still other dishes I want to try, so I would like to visit this place again.

I visited the restaurant on Sunday around 11 o'clock. I was able to sit down immediately, but a few minutes later there were already people waiting. When I sat at the counter, I accidentally hit my knee on the luggage rack and felt a bit down, but the owner explained the situation to waiting customers very politely, which made me feel relieved. When a group of three arrived, the customer next to me offered to move so they could sit together, and the owner thanked them with genuine appreciation. This helped me feel better. I wanted to try a variety of dishes, so I ordered the famous white udon (hot) and yamakake (cold) set. Looking around, I noticed that everyone was eating from a bowl! I was a bit confused, but when I tried it, I realized that the texture and taste of the noodles were completely different between the hot and cold versions. It made me wonder if they were actually different types of noodles. Comparing them was the right choice. As someone who loves yamakake, I preferred that one. The firm noodles required thorough chewing to bring out the sweetness, and the ample grated yam combined with a soup rich in flavors like dashi rather than salt. It was delicious. I ended up drinking all the soup. The white udon was also delicious from the first bite, and I couldn't help but drink the soup quickly. I want to come back and try more dishes. Next time, I must try the shrimp tempura.

When it comes to summer, I just love this chilled potato soup udon. I really love it, but I can't go often, so this might be my first and last time this season. Such a regretful mistake. I wish they would keep it on the menu. I want to try other udon dishes too, but I can only order this one. It feels like it only appears in summer. I'm sorry. I ate it while silently crying inside again this time. It's just too delicious.

I visited for lunch and had the kashiwa tempura udon. The udon noodles were very chewy and I really liked them. The kashiwa tempura was more like fried chicken, very juicy and delicious. I think it's a bit too cheap for 1000 yen. Next time, I want to try the seasonal limited edition octopus tempura udon.

I retried after giving up due to the line yesterday. This day, there was still a line, but the turnover was relatively fast. I ordered the large serving of zaru udon that I was looking forward to. The thick, angular noodles had an incredibly strong chewiness. Not hard, but with a good firmness. It was a bit of a challenge to slurp up the long noodles. A noodle dish that is quite an attraction. The tempura here is really delicious. Crispy and piping hot. The kashiwa tempura made with Ooyama chicken is a must-try item. Next time, I'll go for the half & half. Thank you for the meal.

【Today's lunch】 #UdonLunch Finished work for lunch and went to Shinjuku for lunch. Feeling a bit off in the stomach, I decided to have udon, so I came here after a long time. Ichidaku Hassenya, a restaurant known for its creative udon selected as one of the top 100 udon shops on Tabelog. Previously, when my stomach wasn't feeling well, I had their famous white udon with just half a portion. It's nice when they offer half a portion, especially when you're not feeling too hungry. Arrived around 13:15 on a weekday. I thought there wouldn't be a line, but it was halfway down the stairs. Still, I decided to wait. I was able to get in after about 15 minutes. Sat at the counter and decided to go for the summer limited menu item "Cold Potato Soup Udon" (¥1000 tax included) with 2 pieces of kashiwa tempura (¥150) added. The kashiwa tempura here is really delicious, so I planned to have the kashiwa tempura bukkake if they didn't have the potato udon. The tempura is a must-have! People around me ordered a variety of items. Many opted for the half & half, and some ordered the lunch set (rice and side dishes included). The beautiful udon arrived. The white soup with orange smoked salmon and green onions looks gorgeous. First, I tried the soup. I thought it would be more broth-based, but it's a rich bisque. It has a certain heaviness to it. Delicious! The udon is quite firm and chewy. It has more bite compared to the warm udon I had last time. This udon pairs well with the soup. Oh, so satisfying. The smoked salmon is a nice addition, and the black pepper is a great touch. The kashiwa tempura is still excellent. Oh, I must have the kashiwa tempura bukkake too. As I continue to eat silently, I think, "Oh, I must have the kashiwa tempura bukkake too." Potatoes are said to be rich in vitamin C. Preventing summer colds and boosting immunity! I finished every last drop. Delicious until the end! It's a popular restaurant, but the staff are all friendly, making it a place you want to visit again. Thank you for the meal. #Lunch #ShinjukuLunch #Udon #Udonstagram #IchidakuHassenya #TabelogTop100Udon #ColdPotatoSoupUdon #Bisque #KashiwaTempura #SoloDining #SoloLunch

Visited for lunch today. The restaurant on the 2nd floor of Udon Hyakumeiten was nearly full, but we were able to get a table for two without waiting. I ordered the octopus tempura udon with extra noodles for 1,100 yen. Upon taking the first bite, my initial reaction was "It's so firm!" My companion said, "I like it firm," but even they agreed, "It's so firm!" This udon was the firmest I've ever had in my life. It was not just chewy, but jaw-tiringly firm. This level of firmness may divide opinions. It took a really long time to eat. The broth was gentle and very delicious. The octopus tempura was also good. Some people might love it, but I personally found it to be not to my liking.

This is a creative udon izakaya in Shinjuku, selected as one of the top 100 udon restaurants in the EAST100 Udon 2022 guide. The restaurant is located in an area near Yodobashi Camera. It was opened by someone from Shikoku and is now managed by a company called Ichiziku Group. It seems that the restaurant across the street, Kushitenpura Dandan-ya, is also affiliated. I visited during lunchtime at 11:50 am and the restaurant was crowded. I ordered the popular specialty White Pork Udon and Full Moon Curry Udon half & half for 1380 yen, which was a bit pricey. The udon was served in about 10-15 minutes. The White Pork Udon has a sweet white miso base with bits of stir-fried pork. It has a hint of ginger and a sweet sake-like flavor, but also reminds me of cheap miso ramen. It seems like a taste that may divide opinions, but I wonder if it's really the most popular dish. The Full Moon Curry Udon is a curry udon without broth (you can ask for broth if you want). The thick curry is sweet and mellow, and mixing it with the egg yolk creates a delicious combination. The udon itself is chewy and has a good texture. Overall, the udon was good, but I may have made a wrong choice in my menu selection. By the time I left, there was a line forming, so it's definitely a popular spot.

I visited this restaurant for the first time around 11:00 for lunch. I arrived almost right when they opened, and there was already one group there. I ordered the summer limited edition chilled potato soup udon for 1,000 yen (tax included). About 15 minutes later, it was served! The noodles were firm, and the chilled soup had a very elegant taste. The location is near Yodobashi Camera at the west exit of Shinjuku Station. I definitely want to visit again, not just for lunch but also for dinner next time!

Half and half of black meat and kashiwa tempura udon. The black meat is like sukiyaki udon. The kashiwa tempura needs no explanation. The black meat is hot!! With an outside temperature of 38 degrees, eating it makes you sweat. The taste is on the sweeter side, different from what I expected. The udon is warm and has a soft texture. On the other hand, the kashiwa tempura udon has excellent texture. The tempura is delicious! Next time, I want to try a dish with kashiwa tempura as the main component.

The white meat udon and the half tonkotsu broth were more like miso flavored. The cold (mountain-style) udon had a strong texture. The noodles were thick and had a strong wheat flavor, providing a satisfying chew. The black meat udon with kashiwa tempura on top was seasoned with a noticeable amount of sansho pepper, making it easy to eat. The closed lid in the picture is white rice. I was really full after this meal.

I visited the restaurant before 12 o'clock on a weekday. There was a line on the stairs leading to the shop, and I waited for about 10 minutes to enter. The interior of the shop was surprisingly narrow, with table seats and a counter. I sat down and ordered the white meat udon lunch set. Many people dining alone around me were eating heartily. I drank cold tea and after about 5 minutes, the food arrived. The side dish in the lunch set was tsukune, but it had a layered appearance like mille-feuille, not on skewers. The taste was light, and since there was no soy sauce on the table, I adjusted the flavor with the bonito flakes that came with it. The rice in the set was cooked just right, with each grain standing out. The udon was an original dish with white soup and meat. The meat was pork belly, and the soup had a miso-like dashi flavor. In any case, the seasoning was good and it was a delicious and gentle soup. The udon noodles were thick and had a good chewy texture. When you chew the noodles, you can taste the saltiness, and the combination of the soup and udon was excellent. It was a delicious udon with a satisfying amount and thick noodles. It's easy to understand why this restaurant is popular.

I thought about whether there was a line, but the turnover rate was good so I was able to enter quickly. I ordered the limited edition noodles. They were perfect for the summer heat, with the udon itself having a nice texture and being delicious. By some mix-up, shrimp tempura also arrived, but since it was there, I decided to eat it. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

The texture and taste were amazing, with a generous amount like a bukkake. But because you have to chew it well, it gives a strong feeling of fullness. I ordered the large portion of octopus tempura and chicken tempura, and the man with me was so full that he couldn't move (laughs). We arrived around 11 o'clock, so we were able to get in smoothly! The cold bukkake was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

I used to hear good things about this place, and before I knew it, it had become a popular spot with a hundred customers. Feeling nostalgic, I decided to drop by. I ordered the assorted oden, thinking it would be good, and I was not disappointed. The taste hasn't changed at all! It's amazing, you should definitely try it ⭐️ The chicken wings in the photo are also famous, but they were a bit too salty... a shame. The drinks go down smoothly, and the udon noodles at the end were as reliably firm as ever. Probably the firmest texture you can find in the Kanto region. The oden and udon were truly top-notch.

Two days ago, I was able to make a reservation. It's essential to reserve in advance as the counter seats on the second floor were quickly filled up at 6:00 PM on Wednesday for two people. The popular dishes include black oden, chicken wings mountain thief style, squid with pepper tempura, and chicken tempura. The cold udon noodles (1 serving) have a strong texture and the broth is tasty with a white dashi base. It might be a bit difficult for children to chew. The black meat udon (half serving) and white meat udon (half serving) were both warm and soft, different from the cold udon. The black meat had a sweet flavor from the meat, while the white meat had a creamy garlic taste. Even though they were half servings, they were quite filling. Unfortunately, there are no photos, but the cabbage was delicious! The slightly burnt cabbage with its sweetness, soy sauce, and bonito flakes was a perfect combination. I will definitely order it again next time.

About 20 years ago, I worked overseas with a junior colleague, and now we meet for a meal every six months or so. This time, we went to a small restaurant in Shinjuku that I had made a reservation for. The restaurant was cozy, with only a counter. We ordered a variety of dishes, including the recommended black oden and udon. The food was delicious and well-balanced. We also enjoyed some shochu and sake. After the meal, we wandered around the area and ended up at a bar, spending a total of 15,000 yen for the evening. It was a fun time, but I wish we had kept it under 10,000 yen for the whole night.

I ordered cold udon. The lunch came with two side dishes, which was a good deal. It was Sunday, but I got a table easily (though there was a line later). It was hot, so I ordered cold udon, but it was a mistake. The noodles were not chewy, but more like rubber!? They were very hard noodles... Next time, I'll order hot udon. It was disappointing because I had high expectations! But I'll give it another try.