Let's try Ramen in the "Tangyo" Sanctuary.

 Ramen is one of the most typical dishes in Japan. Have you ever tried it? Ramen is a noodle dish consisting mainly of Chinese noodles and soup, combined with toppings such as char-siu pork, seasoned bamboo shoots, seasoned boiled egg, nori (dried seaweed). 1) Chinese noodles: Should the noodles be thick or thin? Should the cross-sectional shape be round or square? 2) Soup base: Soy sauce or salt? Miso (soybean paste)? 3) Toppings: What to put on top? Each restaurant offers Ramen with its own unique twist. Japanese imported this dish from China and put their own spin on it to make what is one of the fast foods in Japan. There are many types of local Ramen throughout Japan. Tokyo Ramen typically consists of thin, frizzled noodles, chicken broth flavored with soy sauce, and toppings such as char-siu pork, seasoned bamboo shoots, and nori.

Typical Tokyo Ramen

Ramen is very familiar to the Japanese. There is an area in the Kiba/Toyocho neighborhood of Koto-City that offers a unique way of eating Ramen. It is to eat Tanmen and Gyoza (crescent-shaped pan-fried dumplings stuffed with minced pork and vegetables) as a set. It is called "Tangyo" for short. Tanmen is a dish of stir-fried vegetables and pork, simmered in a chicken broth, and served with Chinese noodles.

Ordering Gyoza as a side dish with Ramen is by no means special, but the style of ordering them as Tangyo has been around for a long time and is unique for the reason. I am not sure how this style came about (Although I have looked into it).

Tangyo (Tanmen and Gyoza)

As you can see, it's a very hearty meal! Just order "Tangyo" and you will be one of the locals! Get a taste of Japanese food culture in the Kiba/Toyocho neighborhood of Koto-City, where you will find a several popular restaurants serving Tangyo. Last but not least Japanese people believe that slurping will enhance the taste of noodle and stimulate their appetite. The nearest stations to the Tangyo Sanctuary are Kiba Station (T13) or Toyocho Station (T14) on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.

ATSUGI, Takeshi