Beni Yoshi Bo

A short walk from the south exit of Nippori Station, Beni Yoshi Bo is the sort of Chinese restaurant diners turn to when craving the fiery kick of chili and the tingling buzz of Sichuan peppercorns. A defining feature of its signature Chen mapo tofu and dan dan noodles is that guests can specify their preferred heat and numbing intensity upon ordering, tailoring each bowl from a gentle warmth to an eye-watering punch.

Fragrant Sesame and Chewy Thick Noodles

The house soup-style white dan dan noodles combine rich sesame aromas with fragrant spices and savoury minced meat, accented by crisp bean sprouts and leafy greens. The noodles holding it all together are on the thicker side, with a hearty, springy bite. Variations on the theme abound, from brothless dan dan noodles slicked with sauce to wide knife-cut versions. Lighter options are also on hand, such as chicken paitan wonton noodles or clams with minced meat miso noodles, offering broad versatility depending on your mood.

Versatile Sets Combining Mapo Tofu and Noodles

Matching the noodle dishes in popularity, the Chen mapo tofu pairs silky bean curd with a robust balance of heat and spice. Combination sets allow guests to add a mini mapo bowl to soup-based or soupless dan dan noodles, or to make the mapo bowl the centerpiece flanked by a small bowl of dan dan noodles—an easy answer when you want to taste both specialties in one sitting.

The casual dining space features counter and table seating, and orders are placed conveniently via a ticket machine by the entrance. Alongside set meals and noodle soups, the kitchen prepares crisp pan-fried handmade gyoza and various small appetizers, complemented by draught beer and sours. It serves just as well for a quick solo lunch as it does for an evening drink.