Oimachi Machi Banraien "Ebi Cha-han" is a popular Chinese restaurant that was established in 1974. It is a well-known high-end Chinese restaurant where you can enjoy lunch dishes such as Chinese rice bowls, fried rice, and various types of Chinese noodles at lunch prices. For dinner, there is no menu available, only courses ranging from 40,000 to 70,000 yen. The Ebi Cha-han, known as the best fried rice in Japan, is highly praised among fried rice lovers. When I visited after about 2 and a half years, around 2020 when the first wave of COVID-19 had started to calm down, I was the fourth person to arrive at 11:15, with 15 people in line for the opening at 12 o'clock and 10 counter seats. After being seated, we were served Chinese soup within 5 minutes, followed by the Ebi Cha-han. This fried rice, known for its light and fluffy texture, is made simply with eggs, lard, salt, and pepper, and it was incredibly delicious. The shrimp was also tasty, and the Chinese soup was well-prepared. It was a fantastic meal.

Second visit. 11 months later. I had heard that they often have temporary closures, and they were closed last Friday. It was only 4 days ago and the day before their regular holiday, so I thought they wouldn't have another temporary closure today. I arrived at 11:39 AM and was the 7th in line. Last time, I arrived at 11:40 AM and was the 9th in line. The seating area seemed narrower this time, with only 10 counter seats (it used to be 9 seats). They opened at 12:17 PM, and the chef's energetic pot stirring was as impressive as before. After finishing one and a half rounds, I left around 12:35 PM, and there were 3 empty seats! If I had come a little later, I could have entered without waiting! I seriously considered asking if I could eat one more time, but I decided against it since they don't offer large portions and it was already close to closing time. No one else was doing it, and I've never heard of anyone doing it before. So, I gave up and left. Thank you for the meal.

I was in Oimachi at lunchtime, so I decided to visit this restaurant that I had been curious about for a while. When I arrived at around 12:15, the restaurant had just opened and was already full, with about 6 people waiting outside. I waited for about 20 minutes before being seated. I ordered the shrimp fried rice, but unfortunately they were sold out... I felt bad for the person behind me who had ordered the mixed fried rice. The fried rice was fluffy and each grain had a nice crunch to it, making it delicious. The shrimp was plump and there were about 4 pieces in the dish. This restaurant only serves lunch. I wonder when I'll be able to come back again. Thank you for the meal!

Fried rice for 850 yen. I happened to find this place in Oimachi during lunchtime while renewing my driver's license, so it was lucky that I could wait in line. By the time I finished eating around 1 pm, they were already getting ready for the next rush. The taste is quite salty and leaves a lingering aftertaste. The rice is fried for a long time, so the surface is crispy like yakimeshi. The only ingredients I could taste were chashu and egg. Even though it's advertised as "Gomoku fried rice," there are only fried rice and yakisoba on the menu. There were no menus on the table, and when I asked for one, they reluctantly handed it over. The fried rice place had no ramen, but they claimed their ramen soup was delicious, which is a common thing in local Chinese restaurants. The portion of fried rice was small, which was just right for me, but men may not be satisfied without ordering a double portion of yakisoba, so I think the cost performance is not great.

Just before lunchtime, there was a line of over 10 people at the restaurant. However, the turnover was fast so I didn't have to wait long. You can choose between shrimp fried rice or mixed fried rice, and I ordered the most popular shrimp fried rice. The dish had firm rice with simple ingredients like eggs and a few plump shrimp. The taste was simple, mainly salty. It was definitely delicious, but just average. I'm not sure if it's worth waiting in line for. A top-notch fried rice? A famous restaurant? And it's not even a large portion. Hmm, I wonder why. It's a mystery.

Arrived at 11:50, seated by the second turn at 12:30. Ordered the Five-Ingredient Yakisoba and Shrimp Fried Rice. The Shrimp Fried Rice was indeed delicious and fluffy, but if the wait is this long, I think Choraku might be a better option. The Five-Ingredient Yakisoba was also delicious, I might prefer it over the Shrimp Fried Rice. The elderly man seemed to be getting forgetful due to his age, and the operation was a bit chaotic. The elderly lady managed to keep a friendly attitude. The son was sweating excessively, and his sweat was dripping into the pot.

I searched for a lunch spot in Oimachi and found out that there is a popular restaurant called "Bankaien" known for their delicious shrimp fried rice. I decided to go there. The lunch hours are from 12:15 to 13:00 and the shrimp is limited in quantity. I arrived at the restaurant before 12:00, but there were already 5 people in line. The restaurant opened at 12:20 and I was seated at the counter with 9 seats. The menu mainly consisted of shrimp fried rice, which everyone seemed to be ordering. The shrimp was pre-fried and placed in small dishes. The rice and egg were fried first, then mixed with the shrimp to make individual portions. Once the first group's orders were served, they took the next orders and prepared the ingredients in advance. Soup was served to those who had already ordered. I also ordered the shrimp fried rice. Everyone from the first group had ordered the same. The soup was served with a spoon in it, waiting for the fried rice to arrive. I could see them cooking my portion in front of me. The fried rice was golden with shrimp on top, each grain of rice moist and flavorful. The shrimp was plump and delicious. The fried noodles were also said to be tasty, but I didn't feel like ordering them. I would definitely want to come back for this delicious fried rice. It was a delightful meal. Thank you for the treat.

I had lunch at Banrai-en in Oimachi Station. I had tried to visit this famous restaurant several times before, but it was often closed. This time, I finally managed to visit. When I arrived around 12:40, I was surprised to find that there was no long line and I was able to enter. The door was slightly open, so I entered and took a seat at an available table. The owner informed me that they had run out of shrimp fried rice, but they still had mixed fried rice available. Since I was there for fried rice, I ordered that. There was no menu available, so you have to ask for it if needed. The fried rice was cooked in a wok right in front of me. The heat was intense, and the chef kept stirring it vigorously. The soup was served first, and by the time I finished watching the cooking process, the fried rice was ready. It was surprisingly fluffy and delicious. The grains of rice were just the right texture, and it had a nice crispy flavor. The taste was well-balanced, with a decent amount of ingredients. It lived up to its reputation as a high-quality fried rice. Mixed fried rice: 850 yen.

It is common to wait in line at a ramen shop, but this place is one of the few where people line up just for fried rice. At night, it transforms into a completely different high-end Chinese restaurant (although the staff is the same). It operates as a local Chinese restaurant during the day, but with short opening hours and often closed, it is quite difficult to get to enjoy this fried rice. Today, I finally got to have it after a long time while out. After waiting in line under the scorching sun for 30 minutes, I was one of the first customers to sit at the counter and place an order. 90% of the customers ordered "Shrimp Fried Rice," while the remaining 10% ordered "Shrimp Fried Rice + Mixed Yakisoba." The highlight of being in the first group is being able to watch the entire cooking process of frying the fried rice in a large wok from the counter. First, they prepare a batch for multiple people, then add shrimp individually for the final fry, and the ultimate fluffy fried rice is served one by one from the back of the counter. Watching the wok handling process is enjoyable. Even if you come with multiple people, the fried rice is served one by one in order, so I think it's best for couples if the woman sits on the back side of the counter. There are several types of fried rice available, but the signature "Shrimp Fried Rice" is amazingly delicious, so I keep ordering it every time I visit. The "Mixed Yakisoba" also looks very delicious, but since this is not a place I can come to often, unless I move to Oimachi, I will definitely have the "Shrimp Fried Rice" again next time. Thank you for the meal.

Is this real Chinese-style fried rice? In a TV show, this restaurant was briefly shown and Yamada Goro-san said, "It's a well-known place among those in the know." I was very curious about it. It's always closed at night, of course, and on mornings it's only open for about 45 minutes. According to the restaurant review website, it's difficult to make a reservation for dinner, and it costs tens of thousands of yen per person. Then, a chance came unexpectedly. I happened to be out in the morning and passed by the restaurant around 12 o'clock on my way to work, and there was a line. I thought this might be it, so I immediately got in line at the end. The restaurant opened at 12:20. I didn't make it in the first round, but I was the fourth person in line. The first customer left at 12:35, and I entered the restaurant after about 45 minutes. It was a counter-only restaurant with no menu. I had decided on the shrimp fried rice, but they said they were out of shrimp and offered me the mixed fried rice instead. However, a few minutes later, the mother of the owner said, "We just got some shrimp in," and brought it to me. I eagerly took a bite, and I thought to myself, "Is this real Chinese-style fried rice?" Each grain of rice was crispy and delicious. It was really delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Ebi fried rice for 1,000 yen Gomoku yakisoba for 800 yen I visited the restaurant called Bankaen, which has a very high level of difficulty in terms of visiting as they only operate for 1 hour at lunchtime and have many irregular holidays besides Wednesdays and Sundays. I had a difficult experience before when I arrived 1.5 hours early only to find out they weren't open. This time, I arrived at 11:45 and surprisingly became the 5th customer. Luckily, they were open. The opening time is supposed to be around 12:15 according to Tabelog, but they actually open randomly between 12:10 and 12:20. This time, they opened around 12:20. I ordered the Ebi fried rice and Gomoku yakisoba. Most customers ordered only the Ebi fried rice, so myself and another customer who ordered the Gomoku yakisoba were warned by the staff that it would take some time since they would make the fried rice first. I was prepared for that. The Ebi fried rice came with a simple soup made of chicken bones, soy sauce, and water. It was simple yet well-balanced without any unwanted flavors. Next, the fried rice was amazing. Each grain of rice was infused with soy sauce or salt, creating a surprising depth of flavor. Despite not being a large portion, the rich taste was satisfying. The Ebi fried rice had about 5-6 pieces of shrimp which were deep-fried beforehand and added to the rice while cooking. The shrimp had a strong flavor and a firm texture. Then, I tried the Gomoku yakisoba, which was definitely worth the wait. It was incredibly delicious. The yakisoba noodles were stir-fried in a wok, creating a crispy, flavorful charred edge that added a unique taste. The toppings included various ingredients like cabbage, greens, carrots, wood ear mushrooms, squid, shrimp, and chicken. The wood ear mushrooms and chicken were particularly tasty. The mushrooms absorbed the flavors of the dish, while the chicken, having been deep-fried before cooking, had a delicious taste. Overall, the experience was great, and I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food. The staff may seem a bit brusque when taking orders, but they become warmer as you prepare to leave, giving you a true Chinese restaurant experience. I would love to visit again, but I hope they will be open next time I go.

1 year ago, when I lined up to wait, the store did not open. At that time, the store shutter was closed, and there was a motorcycle parked in front. Today, the store shutter was fully open. I hope they can have a consistent standard. It is also a good idea to call and confirm the day before. I was told that they would open at 12:20 tomorrow. Crowd situation: I arrived at 11:30, and there were 12 people ahead of me. Unfortunately, I missed the first round. The turnover rate is good, but be aware that if you line up at the wrong time due to the short business hours, there is a possibility that you may not be able to eat even if you wait in line. Order: Shrimp fried rice 1000 yen: The sound of the Chinese wok stirring up my appetite. The shrimp was fried and thick, very satisfying. The saltiness of the fried rice was just right, and it was my preferred fluffy type. The portion size was small. Gomoku soba 800 yen: I was told that it would take some time after ordering the soba. I had heard in advance that it was delicious, so I waited. Yes, I thought I ordered yakisoba. I regret why I said it in a shortened way. Of course, it was delicious, but I wanted to eat yakisoba with sauce. The ingredients were abundant, including shrimp, wood ear mushrooms, squid, and fried pork. I don't know when I'll have the chance again, but I would like to have a rematch if I get the opportunity.

Finally, Manraien was open. I had tried to visit several times before but it was always closed, so I was thrilled. It opened at 12:15. I started lining up around 11:30 and was at the front, but soon a line formed behind me. The main order is the shrimp fried rice, everything else is secondary. It seems like they really dislike when people order soba dishes and you have to wait a long time for them. The teamwork in the kitchen was amazing. They must have a tough time with the heat and constantly stirring the wok. They were sweating like crazy. The simple shrimp fried rice was delicious.

I revisited the restaurant where I had delicious five-ingredient yakisoba last time. It seems to be a family-run business, and the son who flips the wok is very skilled and the flavor is amazing, almost like watching a show. However, he always seems irritated with his parents who support him. Their tension is palpable even on this side of the counter. It's a shame because the food is so good. I hope someone close to them can help resolve the situation. Cooking is not just about the taste, you know.

It wasn't crowded, maybe because of the heat. I had wanted to try this restaurant for years, so maybe my expectations were too high. Also, I wasn't very hungry. It was fascinating to watch the chef at the counter cooking, with the fried rice flipping in the air. He tasted the food each time he made it, so I'm sure it's a special taste. I'll come back again when I'm really hungry for a rematch.

Arrived around 11:50 and there were 8 people ahead of me in line. Ended up waiting until the restaurant opened at 12:10. Once seated, they served us for around 6 people at a time. They took our orders and started cooking. Everyone ordered fried rice. They first fried the rice, then added ingredients like shrimp and mixed vegetables for each portion. The chefs were really skilled at handling the wok! However, when I tried ordering noodles for the second round, they said it would take longer after the fried rice, so I reluctantly stuck with the shrimp fried rice for 1000 yen. It took about 15 minutes from when we sat down to get our first dish, and only 5 minutes for the second round. The shrimp fried rice had about 6 large prawns in it, which were very fresh and juicy. The fried rice was on the lighter side in terms of flavor, not completely dry but close to it. The soup was delicious as expected. While the fried rice was impressive and tasty, I was more interested in trying the noodles.

Oimachi's Chinese restaurant is famous for its fried rice. The shrimp fried rice is the signature dish. It's incredibly fluffy and the shrimp on top is large and juicy. I was really satisfied with the fried rice, it was delicious. If you have a big appetite, you might want to try the mixed fried rice or even get a double order. The restaurant opens around 12:15, with only counter seating for about 10 people. There are two waiting seats inside. The restaurant closes early, so it's best to line up before it opens. They also serve noodles, but they prioritize making fried rice, so the noodles might take a while. It's best to just focus on ordering the fried rice (shrimp or mixed). They don't offer extra-large portions, so just stick to ordering the fried rice.

Wanraien - Ebi Fried Rice for 1000 yen, located 3 minutes walk from Oimachi Station. Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. On a Saturday afternoon after a night out, I visited this Chinese restaurant with a very short operating hours of 12:15 to 13:00 according to Tabelog. I arrived around 12:00 and there was already a line, so I was a bit nervous. The restaurant only has a counter, and they managed to seat everyone who lined up right before me. It was funny that the automatic door was actually manual, as it didn't respond when I pressed the button. I came to this restaurant specifically for the fried rice, so I chose the Ebi Fried Rice. It was exciting to see the chef cooking in the wok right in front of me at the counter! Each grain of rice stood out individually, giving a unique and delicious taste compared to regular fried rice. The shrimp was not just placed on top, but coated in a thin batter, with plump shrimp underneath. The portion was so generous that I felt like I could eat a whole bowl of this fried rice alone. The Chinese soup with soy sauce was also a great accompaniment to the fried rice. I left the restaurant feeling satisfied. Thank you for the meal!

This place, rumored to always have long lines, had no line when I visited, with only 2 people waiting inside. The entrance had an automatic door that needed to be manually opened, which was confusing. Inside, there was a long counter, but it was unclear where the menu was. Since everyone seemed to order fried rice, maybe the menu wasn't necessary? The shrimp fried rice is famous here, but they ran out of shrimp, so I got the mixed fried rice instead, which still had chopped fried shrimp on top. The fried rice was soy sauce-based, typical of Japanese-style Chinese restaurants, and the accompanying soup was also soy sauce-heavy, giving a nostalgic feel. The rice was firm and had a strong individual grain texture, which some may find dry. While this texture is unique to dining out, I personally prefer the moist and flavorful fried rice from other Chinese restaurants like Maruturu in Oyama or Tawara Meshi in Musashikoganei. This type of grainy fried rice may be a rarity now, but some may appreciate it.

This place is famous for fried rice, but I heard that their mixed yakisoba is also delicious. So I went there today after the long weekend. The noodles, fried separately until crispy, along with the carefully cooked meat, seafood, and vegetables in the sauce were all incredibly tasty. And all of this for only 800 yen...Amazing!

A short summer vacation with a slightly early course. This year, I decided to focus on Chinese and Italian cuisine, but due to a dinner party on the first night, I ended up having a 4-round battle between Chinese and Italian instead of the planned 5-round battle. As a prelude to that, I visited "Bankairuen" here. I had seen this place in a fried rice feature in a magazine when I used to live in the neighboring town of Omori, and it caught my eye as being "delicious", but due to the short opening hours and inconvenient location, I had never been able to visit until now. I arrived around 11:45, thinking they opened at 12:00, only to find 6 people ahead of me in line. The restaurant didn't show any signs of opening until 12:15, and I barely managed to get in for the first round. If you come 30 minutes before opening on Saturdays, you might be able to get in for the first round...maybe. Now, about the restaurant - the vast majority of customers order fried rice dishes (mixed, shrimp, crab). The way they take orders is somewhat unique - they take the orders for all 6 people first, then take the remaining orders as they finish preparing the first batch. After that, they take orders in a fluid manner, based on who arrived first. If you try to order something other than fried rice, the owner will say something like "We prioritize fried rice, so please wait" (paraphrased) in a slightly stern manner. While I understand the restaurant's reasoning, it does come off a bit strong. The owner becomes very friendly when settling the bill as you leave. As for the long-standing challenge of fried rice - I ordered the "Shrimp Fried Rice". It was truly delicious. The rice was fluffy, the flavors were well-balanced, and the taste was clear and distinct. Upon closer inspection, the shrimp was coated in a thin batter and seemed to have been lightly fried with egg whites and oil. The exquisite way the shrimp's flavor was infused and the perfect balance of retaining its firm texture while cooking it just right was truly impressive. However, while it was undeniably delicious for the price of around 1,000 yen, and you could sense the skill of the chef, I can't help but feel that if you look at slightly higher-priced options, there are truly unparalleled ones out there (personally, I feel that "Akasaka Rigyuu" is slightly more expensive but offers more flexibility and a more relaxing atmosphere...). It's delicious, but considering the limited opening hours during the day, the inconvenience of the location, and the strong customer service style, I wonder if it's really worth the hype. I feel like I achieved my goal with this one visit. With a price of 50,000 yen per person and a strict introduction-only policy for dinner, I don't think I'll ever have the chance to dine here at night. Nevertheless, I managed to conquer my long-standing challenge and kick off my vacation with a delicious fried rice, so I'll consider it a great start.