Niigata Sanpō-tei Tokyo Lab Nakameguro

This place always has a line. It is so popular and for good reason. It serves a spicy mabo tofu ramen fusion that's delicious. One rainy day, I noticed some empty seats and no line, so I quickly went in to give it a try. It was still mostly full, but I didn't have to wait. Lucky. I ordered the regular-spicey mabo ramen with pork katsu on top. It was rich and deeply flavored, with tons of little mirepoix chunks, even tiny bits of what seemed like ground pork. There are tofu cubes throughout and a generous sprinkling of green onions. Plus, red chili peppers, obviously. The pictures don't do it justice. You can't see the noodles. The katsu was great, I love the way the breading falls off and then soaks up all the broth. The broth is SPICY. Even at regular heat, I was sweating. I should've expected that since they have tissues in front of you to blow your nose as the heat from the broth makes it run. But the heat is not so much that it distracts or veils the flavor. You get a complex soup that's very filling and gut warming. I also ordered a sake flight, which was kind of cool. It gave me a chance to see how one sake can taste so different from another. But it sort of felt like the wrong setting for a flight. It's a ramen counter so it's about slurping noodles quickly, not lingering to savor flavor subtleties. The service was great. They have an English menu. And the minimalist, concrete and stainless steel aesthetic is a nice touch. I suspect I'll go back. Even if there's a line, it's worth the wait...as long as you like spicy food.

Tasty crab miso ramen. I prefer my noodles more firm but besides that, it was super tasty. Also very spacious and comfortable at the counter.

Stumbled upon this spot on a Saturday evening. There was a line outside where we waited about 20 minutes. There are many counter seats and 2 Tables. The tables can fit 4 people The menu is simple with two main types of ramen: mapo tofu, hot and sour soup. You can pay extra to customize both with increasing levels of spiciness. There are also seasonal dishes but most people stick to the main two. Both Ramens have thick thick startchy broth, rich with flavor. The mapo isn't too spicy so if you like it hot 🔥, I would order extra spicy or try the chili oil on the table. The hot and sour soup ramen was my favorite but I suggest adding a generous portion of the vinegar on the table. 🧼 Hand sanitizer available 🍽️ Indoor seating ONLY 💳 Cash, Credit and IC card 🚻 Restroom available 📔 Reservation NOT POSSIBLE 🍷 One drink per person NOT REQUIRED👍 🗣️ staff speaks some English 📕 English menu available 🥡 Takeout available

Venturing here on a friend's recommendation, I found myself pleasantly surprised. The MaboTufu Noodles lunch was a revelation - a dish that boldly strays from the well-trodden ramen path, yet remains true to the spirit of the cuisine. The spice level was a delightful challenge, enough to induce a mild sweat but not overwhelm the palate. It was a welcome change from the usual, offering a unique twist that made the meal memorable. The price was another pleasant surprise, proving that great food doesn't always have to come with a hefty price tag. It's a testament to the value offered by this establishment. In conclusion, Sanpo-Tei Noodles shop is a must-visit for those seeking a ramen experience that dares to be different. It's not just about eating, it's about embarking on a culinary adventure. I think you will be pleasantly pleased and wanting to return soon, just like me!

We ate the seasonal one. called “Tarako tanmen” The cod roe blends well with the soup and has a thick texture. I recommend ordering extra rice and eating it with soup.

Very well done doing a mapo tofu ramen. The soup was very thick which was a good thing because, the noodles were soaking up on that. The noodles were nice, chewy and smooth. That tofu was incredibly soft when you touch it with your chopsticks it fall apart. The minc meat was like melting in your mouth. It has a really chill and relax atmosphere when you're in there. Great place.

Perfect mapo tofu and ramen married together. If you love both then you’re in for a treat. There’s 3 levels of spice. We got number 2. It wasn’t very spicy at all, so will definitely opt in for number 3. If you love spicy then, I assume the regular would be disappointing. The dish also comes with a small rice which was great for a classic mapo tofu. I highly recommend this place if you’re ever in naka meguro.

Taste more like a Chinese noodle dish rather than ramen though but the taste is customized to Japanese taste (light taste and not spicy). But they do have a crab ramen, which taste pretty good