Recommended bowl: Tokyo legend

This legendary Tokyo ramen shop opened in Takadanobaba in 1995, where it developed a cult following with long lines daily. In mid-2014 the shop closed (with 4+ hour waits during its final days), only to reopen again in 2016 in Narimasu, Itabashi-ku. The soup is made from pork and gyokai, with choice of the standard and recommended shoyu tare or shio, also popular. Salty, slightly sweet and slightly tangy, with options for spicy too. In some ways the soup is reminiscent of Higashi-Ikebukuro Taishōken, but unique enough for many to consider this its very own 'Benten' style. Noodles are house-made. Still run by the original master Tanaka-san. Ramen and tsukemen are both available, both equally popular.