Recommended bowl: Aburasoba w/ soup

This legendary old-school style Chinese spot has a strong local following in west Tokyo since opening in 1971. Numerous recommendations on the menu, but the most well known item is the 'takara soba'-- a form of aburasoba. Aburasoba is normally served without soup. It's just noodles, toppings and tare sauce, mixed together with the addition of chili oil and vinegar to taste. However the version at Hōka is served with just a tiny bit of soup served in the bowl at the bottom, a unique style that this place is known for. If aburasoba isn't your thing there are plenty of other ramen options on the menu, all served with choice noodles custom ordered in Kusamura Seimen, based in Suginami-ku. Not-to-miss side dishes include the fried gyoza dumplings and the 'umakara butabara cha-han,’ a fried rice dish topped with stir-fried pork belly and negi. Those who visit this shop seem to leave completely satisfied every time.