Recommended bowl: O.G. heavy tsukemen

Tetsu is one of Tokyo's original great tonkotsu gyokai tsukemen shops – up there with Tomita, Rokurinsha, and Ganja. Thick, viscous tonkotsu-gyokai soup (pork bone and seafood-based blend). Rich, decadent and deeply satisfying. Back in the tonkotsu gyokai boom days six or seven years ago, Tetsu was known to boast a two-hour line every day. Thankfully, the hype has subsided but the food remains legendary.

Tsukemen noodles typically come 'hiyamori' style, which means they are rinsed in cold water and served slightly cold. Another common option is 'atsumori,' which involves a quick dip back in hot water after a rinsing so that they are served warm. At Tetsu, if you order 'atsumori' your noodles are served in a warm dashi soup. Tetsu also offers yaki-ishi, a hot stone that you can drop into your soup at any time to heat it back up. If you leave it in long enough, the stone will bring your soup back up to a boil.

There are no gimmicks or games at Tetsu. The shop interior is plain and functional. It's all about glorious noodles and deep, bold soup.

Tetsu has launched several locations around Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa since the flagship opened in 2005. The original shop remains the best, of course. Expect at least a short wait for a seat.