Daiichiro

A simple bowl of ramen in clear broth, paired with a small serving of fragrant fried rice, offers the unpretentious satisfaction of a neighbourhood Chinese-style diner. In Toshima, Kita City, Tokyo, 第一楼 is a Chinese restaurant familiar to the local area—a relaxed place to drop in for lunch or unwind over an evening meal.

The menu pairs ramen with five gyoza, or offers tempting set combinations such as a small curry rice alongside it. For a generous helping of vegetables, there is tanmen or moyashi soba, ramen topped with bean sprouts. When a rice dish sounds more appealing, options include ginger pork with rice, meat and vegetable stir-fry with rice, and grilled liver with rice.

Crisp, pan-fried gyoza and other small dishes also make an easy accompaniment to a bottle of beer or an oolong-hai, sipped at leisure. The calm interior makes it comfortable to take a seat alone, with the reassuring warmth of an everyday neighbourhood spot.

Payment is cash only, so bringing coins or banknotes will make things easier.