臥龍 Garyu: cluckin' delicious

Run by a tough-looking, no-nonsense dude, Garyu is an intimate 8-seat counter that serves up one of the more highly ranked tori paitan options in the city.

Garyu's highlight is their preservative-free chicken soup, which isn't as creamy and cloying as some other thick porridges. Opting for a cleaner, clearer chicken soup cut with seafood broth, this is a subtle chicken soup that packs the umami-richness of other chicken-focused shops without any of that greasy lingering aftertaste that makes your lips glisten after eating it.

Tori chashu men (850yen)

The thin noodles and bright green onions are solid, though the main feature besides the broth here is the fat slices of chicken and pork chashu. The former is steamed with a black pepper coat, while the latter is marinated in a soy sauce blend.

In the summer, Garyu also provides a couple cold noodle options: a wasabi-infused cold paitan...

Hiyashi shamo paitanmen (880yen)

...and a miso paitan hiyashi ramen.

Hiyashi miso ramen (950yen)

Definitely go with the latter option here, as the former seemed like every bite was coated in wasabi paste. The miso, on the other hand, is mixed with some nice chili oil that gives the bowl just enough spice and a cool kick.

Garyu is a neighborhood treasure in Sangenjaya. In the evening, the place doubles as a ramen bar and serves a bunch of other snacks and varieties of shochu. A great place to end (or continue) the night.

Tokyo, Setagaya-ku, Sangenjaya 1-35-3
Closest stn: Sangenjaya

Open from 12-230pm and 6pm-midnight (closed Tuesdays)

Hearts