Chuka Soba Aoi

The signature bowl at Chuka Soba Aoi pairs Chinese-style noodles in a broth centred on niboshi with meat-filled wontons. Order the special at the Fudomae branch for a bowl topped with wontons, a seasoned egg and two kinds of chashu. Reviewers describe the broth, made with dried ingredients including niboshi, as both clean-tasting and deeply savoury. The flat, wavy noodles are said to carry it particularly well.

Reviewers note that the special wontons have substantial filling as well as delicate wrappers. With chashu and a seasoned egg in the bowl, they make a good choice if you want to savour the toppings, too. Add grated ginger partway through, then try the sansho on the table to shift the flavour as you go.

Abura soba offers an alternative to the soup noodles, putting the noodles centre stage with a different flavour profile. The restaurant has counter seating only and serves lunch. At the Nishi-Gotanda 5-chome location, you can dine in.