Renge no Gotoku (蓮華の五徳) is feasibly the best spot for tantanmen in Shibuya. Make sure to order the tantanmen with deep fried pork rib (paiko)!
Renge no Gotoku - A Tantanmen Reincarnation
Renge no Gotoku is the reincarnation of Asuka (亜寿加). Asuka was a popular tantanmen shop that fell victim to the recent redevelopment around Shibuya station. Adored by locals, Asuka was around until 2018.
But Renge no Gotoku picked up the threads and might even be better than Asuka! Tantanmen, for reference, is a spicy ramen style originally from Sichuan province in China (think dan dan noodles).
Spare Ribs Tantanmen in Shibuya
Renge no Gotoku has a few ramen options, including shoyu (soy sauce) and shio (salt) ramen. But tantanmen is the way to go. Furthermore, this tantanmen has to be with "paiko". Also referred to as pako, paiko is pork ribs in deep-fried, cutlet form.
Juicy on the inside and with a proper crispy coating on the outside, they steal the show. The bok choy topping provides a crunchy contrast, especially when the paiko aren't as crispy after soaking up the soup.
The soup itself is whole chickens, pork bones, vegetables, homemade sesame paste, homemade chili oil, and multiple types of togarashi spice. This all adds up to a full-bodied soup that's rich, delicate, and spicy all once.
The noodles are medium-thick and made with strong wheat flour. This gives them extra bite.
In summary, Renge no Gotoku should be your go-to spot for tantanmen in Shibuya. The spirit of Asuka lives on through them.