Chuka Chotoku @ Honkomagome - Tabelog Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in Tokyo 2021 - Ordered Items: - Egg Fried Rice ¥750 - Tomatoes and Eggs Stir-Fry ¥850 - Fried Dumplings ¥650 - Total: ¥2,400 (for 2 people) - Personal Rating: ★4.2 - Introduction: A renowned town Chinese restaurant in Tokyo, selected as one of the top 100 Chinese restaurants on Tabelog. Arrived at 19:10 on a weekday, with about 8 people waiting in line. Managed to enter at 19:50, but the small seating area may result in a longer wait time. Ordered the signature Egg Fried Rice & Fried Dumplings, along with the Tomatoes and Eggs Stir-Fry that caught our attention. - Taste Impressions: - Egg Fried Rice: Beautifully golden and fluffy, with a simple yet delicious flavor profile that highlights the natural sweetness of eggs. - Fried Dumplings: Served with a flavorful Chinese sauce, the crispy dumplings are packed with a savory meat and vegetable filling. The combination with the sauce is outstanding. - Tomatoes and Eggs Stir-Fry: The fluffy eggs and perfectly balanced seasoning with a hint of tomato acidity create a delightful dish that showcases the chef's skill in flavor balancing. - Overall Impression: Exceeded expectations with every dish, showcasing delicate seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients. A must-visit for town Chinese cuisine enthusiasts. Will definitely be returning regularly. #Chotoku #ChukaChotoku #Top100 #TabelogTop100ChineseRestaurants #Gourmet #GourmetGram #Foodies #ChineseCuisine #TownChineseCuisine #Tokyo #Komagome #Honkomagome #Japan #Gourmet #ChineseFood

I was invited by a drinking buddy to visit the famous town Chinese restaurant "Chotoku". This restaurant is known for its fried rice, but all the other dishes are also excellent. The dumplings here are amazing, whether they are fried, grilled, or boiled, each one is delicious in its own way. The absence of garlic allows the ingredients and seasonings to shine. The mapo tofu was also delicious. The tomato and egg stir-fry tasted just like the one I had in a Chinatown in America, it was amazing. Even though I tried not to fill up on rice for the fried rice, I ended up having the delicious vermicelli noodles! The saltiness was just right. The fried rice with soy sauce had a wonderful aroma. The egg fried rice was gentle and tasty. With a large group, we had a lot of options to choose from, and everything was excellent. It was a great dining experience!

A few minutes' walk from Komagome Station on the Namboku Line, this restaurant is located on the corner of a busy intersection, making it very noticeable. It always seems to have a line of customers, indicating its popularity. This was my first visit, and I was impressed by the authentic atmosphere and delicious food that truly lives up to its reputation. All three types of dumplings were fantastic, but personally, I think the fried dumplings stood out the most with its flavorful filling and crispy skin. The sweet and sour pork, shrimp chili, and mapo tofu were also delicious with their well-balanced seasoning. The fried rice was perfectly fluffy and flavorful. Overall, this place embodies the essence of a classic Chinese restaurant, and I definitely want to visit again.

One of the popular Chinese restaurants in Honkomagome, Chotoku. The salted egg fried rice is light and fluffy, perfect when paired with mapo tofu or deep-fried dumplings with sauce. The leftover sauce from the deep-fried dumplings can also be poured over for an amazing combination. The soy sauce fried rice has a strong flavor and can be enjoyed on its own. Definitely worth the wait!

Well, about 2 weeks after being impressed by the egg fried rice (salt) I had last time, I revisited the restaurant with a friend who wanted to try the same dish I had talked about. We arrived around the same time on a weekday and found a similar line as last time. We anticipated that the staff would come to take our order while waiting in line. I made sure to mention "egg fried rice" to my friend without saying just "fried rice," and I planned to order soy sauce, i.e. "fried rice," for myself. However, as we were waiting in line, a female staff member (Chinese, but spoke Japanese) appeared. My friend smoothly placed the order, but when I tried to order the deluxe version, "mixed fried rice," I was informed that they only serve that at lunchtime. So, I ended up ordering the fried rice. Just like last time, we entered the restaurant and were seated at the same table by chance. The two types of fried rice arrived promptly. Of course, the soy sauce one was a light fox color. I immediately took a bite of the soy sauce fried rice. Ah, I see! Both dishes contain egg, but the taste and feel of the egg are completely different. The salt version has only egg and green onions, while the soy sauce version has a little bit of char siu... but the price is the same (maybe one less egg?). And the soy sauce's savory aroma envelops the egg's fragrance. As I continued eating, this impression persisted. Also, unlike the egg fried rice (salt), the rice in the soy sauce version doesn't feel coated with egg on each grain. In other words, this is what people commonly refer to as fried rice. It's a completely different dish as fried rice. It's really a matter of preference, but to put it simply, it's like the choice between salt and soy sauce in ramen. "Salt allows you to taste the ingredients" is true. The soy sauce version clearly doesn't have the egg as the "main character." Furthermore, by not saying "soy sauce fried rice" but rather "egg fried rice," it clarifies that the "fried rice" is in fact "soy sauce." This realization might have come from the comparison, but the aftertaste or "foundation" is undeniably a slightly savory "soy sauce." I also finally noticed that it's difficult to cleanly finish a "fluffy" fried rice with a spoon. However, the fluffy fried rice from this restaurant can be eaten without leaving a few grains of rice behind. The degree of fluffiness is also a skill. Of course, this restaurant serves freshly made dishes (no pre-made dishes), and it's evident that the "skill" of the owner plays a big part. I came to realize this once again. The "egg fried rice (salt)" and "fried rice (soy sauce)" at this restaurant are fantastic!

I've always wanted to visit this restaurant. Finally, my wish came true. I joined the line of 7-8 people around 1:30. I couldn't decide between egg fried rice or fried rice. After about 20 minutes, we were seated. I ended up choosing the fried rice and dumplings set, large portion for 1,300 yen. First, the soup was brought out, followed quickly by the fried rice. The soup had the taste of a typical Chinese restaurant. The fried rice was delicious, but not exactly what I was looking for. I thought it would be more separated and easy to eat. Maybe egg fried rice is different. I won't know until I try it. I want to try a fried rice that matches my taste.

I finally had the opportunity to visit the famous Chinese restaurant "Chuka Chotoku," which I had always wanted to go to. I arrived 20 minutes before opening and was the fifth person in line, with 14-15 people lined up by the time the restaurant opened. As soon as the restaurant opened, I was seated at the counter. The atmosphere was very much like a typical Chinese restaurant. I decided to order the lunch set which included egg fried rice with 6 dumplings, as well as tomato and egg stir-fry. I was eagerly waiting for my food. In less than 10 minutes, the dumplings and fried rice arrived. The fried rice looked very simple with only eggs as the main ingredient. The dumplings also looked delicious. I started with the fried rice... It was delicious! It had a perfect balance of texture - crispy yet moist, and the seasoning was superb. It didn't look like much due to its simplicity, but the taste was exceptional. Next, I tried the dumplings... They were also perfectly seasoned, not too strong or too light. I could eat as many as I wanted. Delicious! As I was enjoying my meal, the tomato and egg stir-fry arrived. It looked amazing with three dishes lined up. If it wasn't lunchtime, I would have definitely wanted to have a beer with it, but I resisted and enjoyed the stir-fry... It was also amazing, with a perfect balance of flavors. The tomatoes and eggs complemented each other perfectly. In Chinese cuisine, especially in local Chinese restaurants, the intensity of flavors or greasiness can often make the food taste good, but the seasoning at this restaurant was exceptional, and the dishes were not greasy at all. I could easily enjoy all three dishes without feeling overwhelmed. Before I knew it, I had finished everything on my plate. Normally, eating this amount of Chinese food for lunch alone would make you feel uneasy, but I didn't feel any discomfort, only satisfaction. Next time, I definitely want to come with a few friends in the evening and try a variety of dishes. I heard that the egg fried rice comes in both salt and soy sauce flavors, so I would like to try the soy sauce version as well. I was extremely satisfied! Thank you for the delicious meal!

I was invited by a friend and went with 5 people. Even a simple stir-fried Chinese vegetable dish had a surprisingly delicious flavor. The pan-fried dumplings, dumplings in hot sauce, fried rice, etc., everything is just so delicious. This restaurant is highly recommended. It's a very popular place with long lines every day. I will definitely come back.

I had work in Sendagi in the afternoon, so I visited this place that I had been wanting to go to. I arrived 10 minutes before opening, but there were already about 25 people in line. I was seated about 1 hour and 20 minutes after opening. I ordered the egg fried rice and grilled dumplings set. The fried rice was delicious as rumored, and the dumplings were also tasty.

I arrived about 30 minutes before the weekend opening and I was the 6th person in line. As the opening time approached, the line kept getting longer. It was my first time there, so I ordered the popular egg fried rice and fried dumplings, both of which were delicious.

Egg fried rice had a strong taste of egg whites and smelled a bit unpleasant. It lacked ingredients which was disappointing. The dumplings were very oily but the dough was crispy and chewy, which was delicious. The filling was juicy, so if there was more of it, the dumplings would have been perfect.

I had a day off from work and suddenly craved fried rice, so I decided to go to this restaurant that has been frequently featured in the media. I had heard that there is always a long line, so I was prepared for it. I arrived at the restaurant around 1 pm on Friday, and there was already one group ahead of me, but I was seated in about 5 minutes. I ordered egg fried rice, 6 dumplings, and a draft beer. The dumplings arrived within 2-3 minutes of ordering, which was surprisingly fast! They were okay in taste, nothing special, but they went well with the beer. After a few minutes of waiting, the egg fried rice arrived. It was simple, made with just eggs and onions, with a gentle saltiness that made it delicious. I rarely find egg fried rice that tastes good with just eggs, so this was a rare find. The tomato stir-fried eggs ordered by the person next to me also looked delicious, so I would like to try that next time. I was quite hungry, so I ate quickly and left the restaurant within 20 minutes, around 1:30 pm. There was already a line of about 10 people outside the restaurant. I must have timed it well! I assume there would be long lines on weekends. Lunchtime on weekdays might be the best time to visit. Thank you for the meal!

Today, it was so hot that there were fewer lines than usual. While waiting for about 10 minutes, I overheard people around me talking. When it was my turn to order, I asked for a large portion of fried rice and 6 dumplings. However, instead of the famous egg fried rice, I received soy sauce fried rice and dumplings. The soy sauce fried rice had a rich flavor and a nice crispy texture, with each grain of rice distinct. I finished the large portion in no time. The dumplings were served with vinegar and pepper. They had a crispy outer layer and a simple yet delicious filling. It was simple but very tasty. Next time, I will try the salt fried rice.

A friend who is a foodie said they were able to reserve the second floor for us and invited us to join. The second floor tatami room can accommodate about 20 people, but on this day there were only 13 of us. We quickly entered the restaurant, passing by the people waiting in line outside, and headed to the back. We were told we could help ourselves to drinks from the fridge on the second floor and settle the bill later. I wanted to have a chu-hi, but refrained as it would have to be carried up from downstairs. The stairs to the second floor were a bit slippery due to oil and steep, so customers should be a bit cautious. When people hear "local Chinese restaurant," they usually have a certain image and taste in mind. However, at Chotoku, while it has the ambiance and appearance of a local Chinese restaurant, the taste is refined and elegant. It is far from the typical local Chinese restaurant experience. The food is more sophisticated and exquisite than a 10,000 yen course meal at a mediocre restaurant. I've had countless gyoza and shumai before, but the ones here are just perfect. I usually don't like gyoza with strong skins, so I appreciate the thin skins here even more. We ordered gyoza boiled, fried, and grilled, and shared egg fried rice with XO sauce and soy sauce. I'm not a big fan of boiled dumplings, but the ones here were the first ones I found delicious. While most people preferred the egg fried rice with XO sauce in the popularity vote, I found the soy sauce fried rice to be nostalgic, like something my parents used to make (even though my parents could never make fried rice this delicious). Going in a large group was a great decision. If I had come alone and ordered gyoza and fried rice, I would have had so much leftover in my stomach. It's best to come with a few people, order a variety of dishes, and share them while chatting and enjoying the food. After leaving the restaurant, I realized I wasn't thirsty at all. Despite eating so much food, I didn't feel overly salty. If this restaurant were nearby, I could easily visit three times a week without getting tired of it. Or maybe I should go to lose weight, like Chan Ka Wai who lost weight by eating gyoza for three days straight. Finally, the owner and head chef came to the tatami room and received a round of applause from everyone. I haven't watched "Passion Continent," so I must watch it.

Finally, I went to this popular Chinese restaurant in town. I found out about it from a popular TV show, which I know is a bit embarrassing, but I'm not too concerned about that. They introduced three types of fried rice, but what caught my attention was the egg fried rice. I didn't rush to visit right after the show aired, so I waited a while before going. Around 12:40 (I actually thought it would be around 1:00, but I arrived earlier), and sure enough, there was a line of about 10 people. About 15 minutes later, I was asked for my order while I was still vaguely thinking about what side dish to get, and I blurted out "gyoza" and then added "and the egg fried rice." Later I found out that this combination was a good deal as a set, costing 1,100 yen (egg fried rice is 750 yen, gyoza is 600 yen for 6 pieces). After about 5 minutes, I entered the restaurant. Despite being alone, the counter seats were full, so I was seated at a table for 4. There was still a line outside. When a counter seat became available and I tried to move, I was told I could stay where I was, and the staff even thanked me for being considerate. The floor staff, a Chinese woman, explained that the fried rice at this restaurant comes with either salt or soy sauce. The egg fried rice automatically comes with salt, while the regular fried rice comes with soy sauce. The menu displayed outside included curry fried rice for 900 yen, crab fried rice for 900 yen, shrimp fried rice for 950 yen, mixed fried rice for 950 yen, and XO sauce fried rice for 950 yen. The long-awaited egg fried rice arrived within minutes, followed by the gyoza. The egg fried rice looked beautiful. I had prior knowledge from the TV show that it only contains egg and green onions. I can confidently say that the way the egg blends with the rice is fantastic. When I broke the mountain of fried rice with my spoon and tasted it, I was amazed! The taste and aroma of the egg spread throughout my mouth. I even detected a slight sweetness, perhaps from the seasoning? As for the texture of the fried rice, it's not exactly the "fluffy" type that is often used to describe Chinese fried rice. It's more on the moist side, but not overly so. The egg blends perfectly with the rice, creating a nice balance of moisture. The egg's umami flavor never fades as you continue eating. Now onto the gyoza. Following my usual routine of lots of chili oil, plenty of vinegar, and a little soy sauce, I took my first bite. The gyoza at this restaurant doesn't have an overpowering taste, aroma, or texture. They boast of "juicy meat juices, fragrant chives, and the flavor of dried shrimp bursting from within the gyoza. No garlic is used." In a nutshell, they are delicious dumplings. They have a great taste, and perhaps the dried shrimp is what makes them stand out. They have maintained this flavor for 28 years. It seems they were even featured on a TV show called "Passion Continent" in August 2020. It turns out that it had been a while since I had fried rice at a Chinese restaurant. Without realizing it, I had been ordering noodles more often, but now I feel like going back to basics and exploring different fried rice dishes.

Egg Fried Rice and 6 Grilled Dumplings for 1100 yen. Arrived at 11:10 and there were already about 10 people lined up at the famous fried rice restaurant. The line ends in front of the shop and extends to the opposite side of the road. The shop opens at 11:30, and as we enter and take our seats, the staff comes to take our orders. From the counter seats, we can see the kitchen where the fried rice is being cooked. There are 3 staff members inside, with one dedicated to making the fried rice. The rice, which looks slightly colored, is being fried in a pot. The staff's frying technique is impressive! The fried rice is neatly shaped into a round mound on a plate once cooked, with no additional ingredients. The grilled dumplings arrived first. The crispy side is deliciously crunchy, while the other side is chewy. Although the filling is not abundant, the amount is sufficient and satisfying. The egg fried rice has a subtle salty flavor and is fluffy. However, there are occasional clumps, and the slightly firm rice texture may be a bit off-putting. The portion size is quite generous, making it a filling meal. The soup has a gentle taste. Personally, the fried rice didn't quite hit the mark for me, perhaps due to the inclusion of egg and the rice texture. The dumplings, on the other hand, were delicious enough to be the star of the meal. Upon leaving the restaurant, the line was still long, indicating its popularity.

I visited a restaurant in Honkomagome known for its delicious fried rice. It's always crowded, and this time I had to wait for about an hour. I thought it would be unbearable in the summer, but surprisingly there was shade and I didn't have to be under the sun. The taste of both the dumplings and fried rice was quite mild but delicious. All the staff seemed to be Chinese and used Chinese-sounding words. It's worth a visit if you're curious, but not recommended for those who are concerned about hygiene. Thank you for the meal.

When walking down Hongo Street towards the city center, there is always a line at the corner. Recently, it has been as bad as 50 people. The restaurant has a history of 100 years and has been featured on TV multiple times recently. On a Friday, a family of three met in front of the restaurant at 6:56 PM, with only the son at the front of the line. They were told there were three people, but the tables were full, with only a few seats available at the counter. Three solo diners went in ahead of them. They were finally seated at 7:07 PM. The restaurant has 8 counter seats, one 4-person table, and two 3-person tables. There are 4 staff members, 2 men and 2 women. They ordered beer, menma, fried gyoza, grilled gyoza, sweet and sour pork, and garlic-flavored tantanmen. The beer and appetizers arrived first, followed by the sweet and sour pork, which was savory and spicy. The fried gyoza had a sweet and sour filling that was delicious, while the grilled gyoza was more traditional. The tantanmen had a strong garlic aroma and went well with the thin noodles. They also ordered boiled gyoza, mapo tofu, egg fried rice, and highball with lemon. The boiled gyoza was simple and tasty, the egg fried rice was flavorful with just eggs and green onions, and the mapo tofu was spicy and delicious. It was a cheap and tasty Chinese meal. They left the restaurant at 7:57 PM, with the place about 60% full.

Before 2 o'clock in the afternoon on a regular day, I waited for nearly 20 minutes. I decided to go with the Egg Fried Rice and Gyoza Set (950 yen) that everyone was choosing. Soon, the dish arrived. To cut to the chase, maybe my experience with fried rice is lacking, but it tasted quite average. The Egg Fried Rice had very little ingredients (or maybe just eggs?) and was moist with a mild flavor. I don't quite understand why this place has such high ratings on Tabelog. It was just a decent fried rice and gyoza. The price is not cheap either. I feel like there are other similar quality local Chinese restaurants out there. Maybe it's a different story for fried rice enthusiasts! Is it the Tabelog magic or just a rumor spreading around? It doesn't seem worth the wait just for this fried rice, although it was tasty. It's like a high-quality local Chinese restaurant, nothing extraordinary.

I heard that this restaurant is famous for its fried rice, so I decided to check it out. Even though I arrived 10 minutes before opening on a weekday, there was a long line. I finally got a table on my second attempt. The popular choice seemed to be the egg fried rice and pan-fried dumplings set, so I ordered that. I also got some shumai and stir-fried noodles with thick sauce. The egg fried rice was moist and fluffy, but quite lightly seasoned. It's a well-known place, but it might not be to my taste. I should have tried the soy sauce flavored fried rice as well. The best dish was the stir-fried noodles with mixed ingredients. It was richly flavored, with lots of vegetables and a generous amount of ingredients. It felt like authentic Chinese cuisine. Personally, I would recommend this over the fried rice. Unfortunately, I couldn't try the dumplings in thick sauce as I visited during lunchtime.

Sometimes, going to a local Chinese restaurant can be very soothing. Whether you eat heartily or just have a drink, it's a must-visit for food lovers. One popular spot in such local Chinese restaurants is this place. I came here to fill up before watching the movie "Mission Impossible." It's located a short walk from Shirokane Station on the Toei Mita Line. We arrived around 6:30 pm and were seated right away, no waiting. Apparently, it gets crowded during lunchtime! We sat at the counter, and all the staff were Chinese. However, they spoke fluent Japanese and were very efficient. I ordered the Egg Fried Rice with 6 Gyoza for 1,100 yen. The kitchen is not particularly large, so the dishes come out in a bit of a random order, but that's understandable. The Egg Fried Rice arrived first, and it was about halfway through when the Gyoza came out. The Egg Fried Rice was simple, with just eggs and green onions, nicely fluffy and not too salty. The Gyoza had a crispy, charred skin with a generous amount of flavorful meat and vegetables inside. It was delicious and piping hot! The flavors at this restaurant are tailored for Japanese tastes, so I think anyone would enjoy it. It was a fantastic local Chinese dining experience.