Tenko

Tenko, located in Shiba-Daimon, is a famous Sapporo-style tonkotsu shoyu (pork bone soy sauce) ramen restaurant that inherited the lineage of Roppongi's 'Tenho.' Its distinct atmosphere, more akin to a small traditional Japanese eatery than a ramen shop, is created by its tasteful Japanese exterior reminiscent of a soba restaurant, a cozy L-shaped counter interior, warm ambient lighting, and the proprietor and proprietress's friendly service in traditional Japanese aprons. There are two signature ramen types. 'Ichi San Go' is the standard shoyu ramen, offering classic deliciousness with its rich and flavorful soup combined with yellow egg noodles. 'Bari San Go' is a popular menu item featuring the same shoyu soup but with firm, curly egg noodles from Nishiyama Seimen, boiled even harder, creating an addictively crisp texture. The soup is a mellow tonkotsu shoyu with a strong bonito dashi (bonito broth) flavor derived from Roppongi Tenho; though salty, the umami of the bonito provides a solid base. The noodles are thin, curly egg noodles from Sapporo's Nishiyama Seimen, which absorb the soup well. The chashu (braised pork) is thick and tender, and can be added for an extra charge. The miso ramen is also excellent, a hidden gem topped with julienned chashu, shredded green onions, and stir-fried bean sprouts. The menu also includes a variety of others like Ton-chan Ramen, Tan-tonmen (dandan-style pork ramen), and Tsukemen. After 2 PM, the proprietor operates the shop alone, and this becomes a special time when the half-size fried rice (han-chahan) is available. The shop operates only on weekday lunchtimes, closing once sold out. It offers thoughtful services such as complimentary half-size rice, two oshibori (wet towels) – one hot and one cold, and service tickets for future visits.