When many people think of Chinatown, they picture a sesame tantanmen brimming with bright red oils and crowned with spices. But many don’t know that the hidden best meal to be had is the sword-cut noodle stewed beef bowl. The slow-roasted chunks of meat that just fall apart they’re so tender and the tang of the pickled mustard greens, all in a gentle salt-based soup, is unlike anything you can find outside of the Chinatown district.

The portion of the bowl is massive, so it’s also quite nice to have the lighter soup base where you can feast on the noodles and drain the bowl.

This is called Toki and is down a narrow alley covered in flags and lanterns. I always get a side of the steamed gyoza, which comes with their housemade chili crisp. The sword-cut noodles are shaved fresh to order, and the variation in texture and density is incredibly more-ish. Add this to your next Chinatown itinerary on your trip to Japan. You won’t regret it. I never do. Less