01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Along Kawagoe Kaido in Toshincho, Itabashi Ward, Shirokuma turns on its lights in the evening, beginning service from 19:00. Run by an elderly husband-and-wife duo, the dining room holds a counter and casual tables, carrying the unpretentious warmth of dropping into a relative's home.
Before ordering here, it helps to understand the sheer scale of the portions. Even standard regular noodle orders come with generous amounts equivalent to nearly 2 standard noodle balls, served in broad bowls piled high with toppings. Diners who prefer a more manageable portion can request a smaller size or simply ask for 1 noodle ball when ordering.
Among the noodle dishes, the sesame dipping noodles, tsukemen (goma dare), command a loyal following for their sweet and rich sauce. Thin noodles arrive alongside thick slices of chashu roast pork, wakame seaweed, a boiled egg, and seasoned bamboo shoots, accompanied by a piping-hot ramen bowl filled with wanton soup. Classic standbys also deliver comforting nostalgia, including straightforward shoyu ramen, tanmen crowned with a mound of crisp vegetables, and chashu-men featuring deeply colored, savory pork.
Fried rice tossed briskly in the wok is another favorite, accompanied by a full bowl of wanton soup. When you order bottled beer, little plates of snacks like chashu pork and bamboo shoots often appear alongside it—a hospitable touch that explains why regular patrons keep returning.
Payment is cash only, and table reservations are not accepted. The best approach is simply to arrive with a healthy appetite, ready to enjoy the generous spirit and honest home-style cooking.
