Usagi

"Usagi," a Tantanmen (担々麺, spicy sesame ramen) specialty shop founded in 2007, is located on the 1st floor of the Argus Shimoda Building, 8-13 Shinsen-cho, a 3-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio Inokashira Line. Despite its limited operating hours—lunch only on weekdays (Monday-Friday, 11:30-14:30), closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays—it is a prominent establishment in the Shinsen area, widely supported by international visitors. The owner, who hails from "Menya Yu" in Ichinoe, Edogawa Ward, established "Usagi" in 2007. True to its name ("Usagi" means rabbit), the shop's charming rabbit logo is memorable, and its atmosphere is designed to be welcoming for solo women and international tourists alike. The signature Tantanmen (Level 1 spiciness, 1600 yen) features a harmonious balance of piquancy from chili oil and umami from an animal-based broth, layered with the mellow richness and aromatic depth of homemade sesame paste (芝麻醤, zhimajiang). The rich umami derived from sesame adds profound depth to the flavor, creating a robust yet not heavy taste. It's a highly refined dish where the rising aroma of sesame and chili oil, combined with the rich umami of the animal-based broth, can be pleasantly enjoyed until the very last drop. Spiciness can be selected from three levels (1 to 3), with an authentic specification that allows the intensity of the numbing sensation (痺れ系, shibire-kei) from Sichuan pepper (花椒, huajiao) to be adjusted. The noodles, made from Hokkaido-produced Kitahonami wheat, offer a delightful chewy elasticity and supple texture, with a gentle wheat sweetness that perfectly complements the rich soup. The generous topping of kaiware (カイワレ, daikon radish sprouts) provides a unique element; its refreshing flavor and subtle bitterness act as a pleasant palate cleanser between sips of the rich soup. In addition to Tantanmen, the Soupless Tantanmen, Truffle Shoyu Ramen, and the side dish of Truffle Chashu Rice (500 yen) are also highly recommended. The Truffle Chashu Rice, in particular, is an exceptionally flavorful item with a small amount of black truffle. The seasonal Chilled Tantanmen, available in summer, combines the numbing sensation of Japanese sansho pepper, the umami of sesame, and kaiware, creating a composition that will make you want to revisit depending on the season.