Huge line-up, even on a weekday!

I arrived thinking it would be pretty empty, but I was wrong. It was 11:30 AM, a fairly early hour for lunch, and yet the restaurant was completely full, with three people in line.

Because of the now world famous Tokyo Sky Tree, the Solamachi branch of Rokurinsha seems to be crowded everyday of the week.

I might as well use the time waiting to check the menu. After some deliberation… tsukemen (noodles served with dipping sauce) is my pick!

Very efficient operation and customer serving style

It was pleasant to see the waitress do her job in an efficient and smooth manner, especially as I had to wait a little while.
What I often see in popular restaurants is, tables not being cleaned up even though they are no longer occupied. A little detail like that can sometimes incite the irritation of a hungry customer. However, no such situation was seen at Rokurinsha Solamachi branch. The staff were all coordinated and efficient.

Five minutes later, I am introduced inside.

First, I need to buy a “shokken” (meal ticket). I press on the button marked tsukemen. I noticed that the buttons on the shokken machine were bigger and clearer than that of many ramen restaurants, making it easy to chose.

I was lucky to be taken to the table at the very back, which I find is the most comfortable one.

It’s packed with customers like this everyday. But you can still hear thoughtful words toward the customers, coming from the kitchen. The customers are able to enjoy their meal comfortably. Excellent!

Vinegar, “kuroshichimi” (pepper), toothpicks and white pepper are placed on the tables. I was given a paper apron so the soup doesn’t splash on my shirt. A very considerate gesture.

As it was the tenth anniversary of the Rokurinsha franchise, there was also on the table a message expressing the restaurant’s thanks to the customers. The spirit to want to give back to the customer maybe one of the reasons of Rokurinsha’s continued popularity.

Rokurinsha, for tsukemen of various flavors

Five minutes after I handed my shokken, my tsukemen was served!

I can’t hide my surprise to the pretty large quantity of noodles.
First, I tried just a couple. The noodles were nicely drained, chilled and firm. Tasty!

The dipping sauce on the other hand is boiling hot with “chashu” (roasted pork), “menma” (fermented and seasoned bamboo shoots), “naruto” (sliced fish cake), “nori” (dried seaweed) and fish powder.

Umm, smells amazing. Let me try the soup. The unique flavor of the Rokurinsha soup is so good, I found myself quietly nodding of approval.

I scooped the noodles, dipped them in the sauce and carried the chopsticks to my mouth. I repeated this chain of movements, enjoying every moment of it of course, but wow, my plate is still full of noodles!

The menma has just the right texture.

The chashu is so big; it doesn’t fit on my spoon. Look at the size of it!

Phew, halfway there! But I’m already pretty full. So, I decided to try something different. I added the kuroshichimi in the dipping sauce. Yup, a nice piquant flavor for a change. Go me! Almost there!!

To finish, add a little yuzu (citrus fruit)

I added yuzu to my soup as recommended by the waiter. I enjoyed the soup even more with fruity scent of yuzu.

I consider myself a pretty big eater, but wasn’t able to finish the noodles.

Next time I will order a smaller portion. Oh do I feel bad to have left it over!

I exited the restaurant and saw that the line had got longer. Doesn’t seem like this place is going to lose popularity anytime soon.

writer：Yoko