I used my lunch break to visit a well-known Inaniwa udon place in Shinbashi. I had been blown away the first time I tried Inaniwa udon, and I had heard this place was very good too. Because of that, I was told there is a long line of nearby office workers at lunchtime, so we met up a little early.
The entrance
It is on the second floor of a run-down building right in front of Shinbashi Station. Inside it is roomier and cleaner than I expected. It had only just opened so the line was short, but 30 minutes later it turns into a battlefield.
Kaisen ikura-don (seafood and salmon roe bowl)
I ordered the lunch special: a rice bowl with udon (small). The freshness of the ikura and sashimi was a work of art, and this quality was only 1,000 yen.
Chirashi-don
The fish is practically glowing. The mix of different toppings is superb, and if you pour on a little soy sauce with wasabi mixed in, the flavor becomes perfect. I have no idea why an udon shop serves a chirashi-don like this. I feel they would be an even bigger hit if they just sold rice bowls.
Tsuyu
This is the tsuyu for dipping the udon. It has fukinoto (butterbur buds) in it, and the slightly bitter aftertaste is superb. It has been a while since I had a broth with this much depth. They say this tsuyu is only served in the spring season, so if you get the chance, go and try it right away.
Inaniwa udon noodles (small)
They come on a bamboo zaru basket. I ordered a small, but the portion was not small at all. If I had ordered a medium I would have been in trouble… The noodles were in good shape too. Shinbashi, where you can have a satisfying meal like this every day at lunch, really is a salaryman’s paradise.