Hello! This is Hina from the Holiday Travel editorial team! ✨
Today, I'd like to introduce you to Red Whale, a fantastic Sichuan tantanmen restaurant perfect for lunch in Ningyocho! I went there with Arimi!
This restaurant has a ticket machine outside the store. You purchase your meal ticket in advance before entering, so ordering is smooth and easy!
Authentic Sichuan Tantanmen with Customizable Spice Levels
One of the great features of this restaurant is that you can choose your spice level and numbness (málà) up to level 3 for free. Even if you're not a fan of spicy food, you can enjoy it with confidence. For those who want to push their limits even further, you can apparently pay extra to increase the spice level!
A Unique Experience: Grind Your Own Sesame Seeds
What makes this place really interesting is that while you wait for your ramen to arrive, you get to grind sesame seeds in a mortar yourself! This experience is so much fun.
My Tasting Report
The tantanmen has such a deep, complex flavor! It looks quite spicy, but since I chose level 1 for both spice and numbness, it was very easy to eat. I think even people who aren't good with spicy food will be fine!
The rich tantanmen soup paired perfectly with the thick noodles, and it was absolutely delicious. And when you add the freshly ground sesame seeds you prepared yourself, the fragrant aroma spreads throughout, making it even more delicious!
If you're looking for lunch in Ningyocho or you're a fan of Sichuan tantanmen, be sure to visit Red Whale!
