Ikebukuro's "Shichifukumara-tan (Chibao Maratang) Ikebukuro Higashi-guchi Store" opened on December 1st. The owner, Hideyuki Ishigami, is a ramen critic who also has branches in Akasaka, Shibuya, Ebisu, and other locations. The restaurant is located just a 2-3 minute walk from Ikebukuro Station East Exit, down a narrow alley. There is a signboard on the main street, and if you bring the flyer, you can get a free mozzarella cheese topping. The basic "Maratang (soup + glass noodles)" costs 550 yen. You can choose your favorite ingredients and customize the spiciness of the soup and the type of noodles. Unlike the Shibuya and Akasaka branches, the Ikebukuro branch charges by weight for toppings. Regardless of the type of ingredient, the price is calculated at 2.75 yen per 1g. There are about 40 types of ingredients, mainly vegetables. You can choose your favorite ingredients, put them in a bowl, weigh them at the register, and pay accordingly. I chose squid balls, shrimp balls, wood ear mushrooms, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, totaling about 110g for 305 yen. With the Maratang set, the total came to 855 yen including tax. I recommend the spiciness level 1 for the Maratang soup. Bringing the flyer gets you a free mozzarella cheese topping. The soup has a mild herbal flavor and is relatively easy to drink. Level 1 spiciness provides a good amount of heat and a slight tingling sensation in the stomach. The noodles are thicker and chewier than regular glass noodles, giving them a more substantial texture. Among the toppings, the squid balls and large wood ear mushrooms stood out. The mozzarella cheese becomes gooey when heated. There are various condiments on the table, and I particularly enjoyed adding Sichuan pepper and garlic. The herbal soup is delicious, and it feels like it will warm you up, especially the day after indulging. The modern and clean interior makes it welcoming for solo female diners. I have been to the Shichifukumara-tan branches in Shibuya, Akasaka, and the affiliated "Shinjuku Maratang," and all of them offer high-quality dishes. While there are authentic Chinese Maratang restaurants in Ikebukuro, the Japanese-style Maratang here is easy to eat and delicious.

I did it again!!! It seems like I come here every week... This shop allows you to choose your own ingredients and they sell it by weight. They have a limited time offer where you can fill up a bag as much as you want! It's super delicious. I also love the chewy Cheese Tteokbokki. I want to go back many times, it's my favorite shop.

I used to live near a delicious Chinese herbal cuisine restaurant and would visit often. However, the restaurant closed down, and I lost touch with Chinese herbal cuisine since then. I found the word "Chinese herbal cuisine" on Tabelog and immediately jumped at the chance. Upon entering the restaurant, I was informed, "Do you know how to order? We do not accept cash payments." Next, they instructed me to choose a seat and grab a mark with a number on it from the table. I brought it back to be attached to a metal bowl they gave me. They explained, "There are various ingredients in the refrigerator, so put them in this bowl and weigh them on the scale to determine the price." I added vegetables and shumai, expecting a high price, but it came out to be 1,303 yen. You can also choose the level of spiciness from 0 to 5. I thought a bit spicy would be good, so I chose 2.5. The cooking time is about 5 minutes. The restaurant is run by two men and two women in their 20s. Since they don't handle cash, I realized they don't need a manager as long as they have a solid manual. You can also choose the flavor of the soup and the type of noodles. The clientele is young, with even women sitting alone at the counter. It's an easy-going restaurant. The spiciness level of 2.5 was a bit heavy for me, but I enjoyed it. Thank you for the Chinese herbal cuisine after a long time.

This time I topped it with mozzarella cheese. You can also customize with various toppings at the register! You can add soup variations or meat. Whenever I go, the vegetables are fresh and reassuring. And the cooking is fast!! When I'm hungry or want to relieve stress, I eat spicy cellophane noodles here.

Recently, with a focus on health, I visited this place to balance my diet with medicinal cuisine, vegetables, and mushrooms. It had been a few years since my last visit, so I needed a refresher on the rules. The staff were a bit cool, and there were many Asian foreigners there. I chose ingredients that cost around 1300 yen. The food arrived quickly and was delicious. Adding garlic and black vinegar for flavor enhancement made it even tastier. It was moderately spicy, but I added more spice and started sweating. I think this place ranks high among Sichuan-style noodle shops!

I tried the unfamiliar dish "mala tang" for the first time at this restaurant. I was curious because I already liked spicy food, and I was pleasantly surprised! You can choose your toppings by weight and there are plenty of options. The glass noodles reduce the guilt of eating noodles, and I even thought it might be good for my body. You can also choose the level of spiciness, but if you like spicy food, starting with around level 3.5 might be good. It's not just spicy, but the numbing sensation of the Sichuan peppercorns is quite nice. If you feel it's not spicy enough, there are extra Sichuan peppercorns on the table for you to add. If I go back to Tokyo, I definitely want to visit this restaurant again.

I had been curious about this spicy hotpot restaurant for a while. You can choose your own ingredients and pay extra based on the weight. There are plenty of vegetables available, which allows you to get some veggies you don't usually eat. It's fun to be able to choose the type of noodles, soup, and customize it to your liking. I chose a spice level of 2.5, and it was quite spicy, making me sweat gradually. Adding plenty of garlic and Sichuan pepper doubled the spiciness and made me sweat even more. My metabolism must be good because I felt a bit embarrassed by how much I was sweating. The default option of glass noodles went well with the soup, making it delicious without feeling guilty. I love Sichuan cuisine and hotpot, so being able to easily visit a place where I can enjoy authentic spicy hotpot is much appreciated. The convenience of this place is great! Be careful not to add too many toppings like vegetables, as it can affect the cost-effectiveness. This time, it cost around 1200 yen, but I am satisfied with it!

Healthy! In the hot summer, try medicinal cuisine! It was very delicious! It was my first time trying it, so I was a bit confused, but I will definitely come back! The basic glass noodles and soup have a good amount, so if you add too many toppings, it's like a ramen that you can't finish, it's quite filling haha. I think women can be satisfied with 50-100g of toppings.

While walking around late at night, I stumbled upon a new restaurant that I had never seen before. Despite the heat outside, I found myself inside the restaurant before I knew it. The enticing smell made me hungry. I couldn't help but be drawn to the topping corner. Surprisingly, they sold toppings by weight, which is a style not often seen these days. I'm not a fan of this style because it attracts all kinds of people. The soup had a nice herbal flavor and the noodles were slightly thicker than usual. The taste was surprisingly good. This kind of meal is perfect after drinking alcohol. Please note that they only accept cashless payments.

The hot pot-style soup with a variety of medicinal herbs and spices is full of nourishment, with chewy glass noodles. The spiciness from chili peppers and numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns are just right, making it incredibly delicious. The flavorful herbal soup seeps into your body, leaving you wanting to finish every last drop. I personally recommend a spice level of 2 or 1 for the Ma La soup. There are Sichuan peppercorns on the table for added numbness. Adding garlic adds depth to the flavor, and dropping black vinegar can give it a sour and spicy flavor like Suan La Fen. Recommended toppings include cilantro, cherry tomatoes, jade dumplings, seasoned eggs, but there are plenty of options to choose from, making it hard to decide. The clientele is mostly women, but men are also welcome, and there is a counter seating available for solo diners. Thank you for the meal!

I have been to the Shibuya and Ebisu locations many times, but I liked the soup at the Ikebukuro location the best. Similar to Ebisu, they offer a gram-based style with various types of mushrooms, which I enjoyed. The default spiciness level is 2.5. Additional toppings like cilantro for 150 yen, pork belly for 150 yen, and seasoned egg for 150 yen are available.

I wanted to try out the Seven Treasures Spicy Hot Pot. The ingredients cost 3.1 yen per gram. I ordered wood ear mushrooms, white fungus, enoki mushrooms, yuba, lotus root, and tomato with TP, level 4 spiciness, and cilantro for 150 yen. I ended up spending around 1500 yen because I wasn't sure about the portions. There were condiments like Sichuan pepper, sansho pepper, ginger, garlic, etc. on the table for flavor variation. I got carried away with the sansho pepper and ended up with a numbing sensation... It reminded me of the nightmare of the "Demon Rod" dish. #Seven Treasures Spicy Hot Pot Ikebukuro Higashi-guchi Branch #Seven Treasures Spicy Hot Pot #Ikebukuro Gourmet #Chinese Herbal Cuisine #Spicy Gourmet #Toshima Ward Gourmet #Ikebukuro Lunch #Vermicelli Soup #Tokyo Lunch #Pay-By-Weight

I found this place near Ikebukuro Station while walking around and decided to check it out because I was curious. The staff were very polite and explained everything to me, and the style was to choose your own toppings. I chose level 3 spiciness and personally, I really liked the wood ear mushrooms, natto, and coriander.

I have visited this place several times and went there again this year as soon as they started serving cold dishes. This time, I chose the cold Tom Yum. It was perfect for a hot day, with a spicy and cold Tom Yum soup. Note that for the cold menu, you cannot choose toppings like usual, so you have to pay at the register right away. I wanted extra cilantro, so I was a bit disappointed.

The writer visited a restaurant recommended by their friend and found that the ingredients were sold by weight. They found the process a bit intimidating at first, but the staff was helpful. They tried a spicy dish which had a complex flavor profile with a numbing aftertaste. The table had various condiments for flavor customization. They didn't realize at first, but popular ingredients like meat and cilantro could be chosen at the self-checkout. They found the price reasonable for the quality and variety offered, and recommended trying it at least once due to the endless customization options.

At first, we secured a seat and picked up a number tag from the table. We then filled a large bowl with our favorite ingredients. We chose the level of spiciness, type of noodles, and additional ingredients not available on the cart before heading to pay. We ended up selecting various types of ingredients, leading to a somewhat high price, but the taste was delicious!

I don't usually eat alone, but I had been craving for spicy hot pot for a few days. I randomly decided to visit this place for the first time. Although I have been to Shibuya and Iidabashi, this was my first time in Ikebukuro. The restaurant was surprisingly clean and beautiful. When I entered, a staff member greeted me and asked if it was my first time there. Since it was my first time at the Ikebukuro branch, they kindly explained everything to me. It was really nice to have someone help me, as there are many things to do on my own at this restaurant. I also liked that the toppings were sold by weight. They even had a 0.5 spiciness level, which was great! And the best part was that the food arrived really quickly! There were several staff members in the kitchen, which was a big difference from Iidabashi where the wait for the food is usually long. The taste was as good as always! And one more thing, the pork topping was thin and tender, unlike the thick and tough pork belly with gristle that I had at Iidabashi. This time, I had cheese, rice cake, mozzarella, flavored egg, pork, spring onions, and enoki mushrooms as toppings. Thank you for the delicious meal. I will definitely visit both Ikebukuro and Iidabashi branches again.

I was once obsessed with Malatang and when I googled it, I found out that there are many Malatang shops in Ikebukuro! I've tried almost all the Malatang shops in Ikebukuro, but I think this Malatang shop stands out as it may not be everyone's cup of tea. The intensity of the soup flavor can be finely adjusted here. (If you like a crazy level of spiciness but enjoy the numbness, I recommend around level 2.5-3) You can consult with your own physical condition and the image of what you want to eat, but if the spiciness is too mild, it might feel like something is lacking in terms of flavor, so I usually settle for level 3 spiciness. The soup has a deliciously spicy and numbing taste with a medicinal herbal flavor. (Everyone feels spiciness differently, so this is just a reference) Also, the Harusame noodles here have the perfect chewy and bouncy texture. You can choose your own ingredients from the shelf and put them in a bowl. You can purchase them based on weight and the basic Malatang price, so if you add just a few basic ingredients like 4-5 types of vegetables and some meat, it will cost you less than 1,000 yen. There are seasonal vegetables to choose from, making it fun just to pick them out. You can order meat or seafood at the counter, and they will prepare it in the kitchen and add it to your soup. However, some meats have a noticeable smell, but adding your favorite meat is the best! One thing to note is that only "smartphone payment" is accepted, and cash or cards are not accepted, so make sure your phone is charged before heading there! Just a tip, but for soups like Malatang, if you slurp the noodles, the spiciness can stick to your throat and make you cough uncontrollably, so it's easier to eat and savor the flavors by scooping the noodles with a spoon and eating them little by little.

The atmosphere is welcoming for solo female diners, and the soup is excellent! You can choose your own ingredients and it's sold by weight, with a wide variety of vegetables available for a healthy meal. They even offer a free flavored egg on your first visit. I would definitely want to go back when I'm in the area.

A shop where you can choose your favorite ingredients for medicinal noodles. You can choose the amount of ingredients, spiciness, and type of noodles. I tried the 0.5 spiciness Chinese noodles with mozzarella topping, tomatoes, wood ear mushrooms, and xiaolongbao. It wasn't very spicy, and the soup was delicious. I also tried the non-spicy white broth soup with glass noodles and flavored egg topping, including cheese-filled tteokbokki. I could feel the medicinal aroma in this one. Lastly, I tried the white rice dish. It was completely different depending on whether you added spiciness or not (adding spiciness made the flavor more intense).

I'm still a novice when it comes to spicy hot pot, but I'm gradually getting used to it. In my local area of Ikebukuro Nishiguchi, there are many authentic Chinese restaurants, so I have had my fair share of experiences over the years. However, my true passion for it started a few years ago. From the end of 2020 to the summer of 2021, while working in Ishikawacho, Yokohama, I visited over 90 Chinese restaurants in Yokohama Chinatown. This experience allowed me to compare it to Ikebukuro Nishiguchi. In Ikebukuro Chinatown, Sichuan and Northeastern Chinese cuisine have been the main attractions. Among the Sichuan cuisine, hot pot and spicy hot pot restaurants stand out. So, I am slowly starting to explore them. This restaurant is located in a side street near Sunshine Central Street in Ikebukuro Higashiguchi. Nearby, there is the original location of the chain restaurant "Ootoya." The internet often mistakenly claims the current Ootoya as the original, but I believe the true origin is where the parking lot is now. At least that's how it was when I used to frequent the area at the end of the Showa era. Furthermore, if the location has shifted since then, that might be the correct information. This spot used to house the "Ramen Shitenno" restaurant, followed by "Gattonto" and "Himuro." Himuro operated for about five years, and I personally find it regrettable. It is a cashless payment establishment, accepting credit cards and transportation IC cards. The basic price is 580 yen for spicy hot pot soup and glass noodles. Additional ingredients are priced by weight. Customers wear a single vinyl glove and self-select the ingredients. Spice level and special toppings are self-declared. "Myself Spicy Hot Pot" (1,431 yen) - as shown in the photo. I chose various ingredients from the showcase, such as cartilage meatballs, shrimp balls, squid balls, water dumplings, xiaolongbao, quail eggs, mushrooms, bok choy, onions, scallions, etc. I selected "2 spiciness" for the soup, which turned out to be quite spicy. The soup had a strong herbal flavor compared to other spicy hot pots I've tried before. I also enjoyed changing the taste by adding Chinese black vinegar "Zhenjiang Xiang Cu" and "Sichuan peppercorns" from the table items. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal. Among the spicy hot pot specialty restaurants I've tried, this one seems to have a slightly higher basic price, but considering the complexity of the soup's flavor, it seems reasonable. The service was polite, and the explanations were thorough. I have been unknowingly experiencing what I call "authentic Chinese cuisine" for years, and I have been writing about it as "native-style" or "high level of nativeness" on this food review site for about 10 years. However, in today's world, I believe using the term "authentic Chinese cuisine" will be more easily understood, so I will start using that terminology in the future. (By Kyonatsu Shuusora, 2/18/2023) (39 reviews, rating 3.30)