Kintaro

Tucked inside the Metro-road shopping arcade near Shimura-sanchome Station, Kintaro centers its noodle offerings around a tonkotsu soy sauce broth that balances a sharp soy seasoning with mellow pork richness. Alongside the standard tonkotsu shoyu ramen, the menu features generously portioned bowls like scallion ramen topped with mounds of sliced white leeks and miso vegetable ramen loaded with stir-fried bean sprouts and other greens. Grated garlic, doubanjiang chili paste, and red pickled ginger sit on the counter, allowing diners to adjust the flavor profile as they eat.

Drawing just as much attention as the noodles are the combination sets paired with diced-chashu fried rice, as well as hearty teishoku sets designed to go down easily with bowls of white rice. From the karaage tartar set featuring large pieces of fried chicken coated in sauce to the yakiniku set packed with well-browned meat and vegetables, each option delivers plenty of substance.

Orders are placed via a ticket vending machine near the entrance, and counter seating makes solo dining straightforward and relaxed. Because the shop opens from 9:00 in the morning, it also serves as a handy stop for an early lunch or a substantial breakfast.