Having been cooped up for several days in an attempt to avoid possibly dangerous levels of radiation that may or may not be permeating the city, I really needed a walk. By which I mean more than the two-minute stroll to the local supermarket with its barren shelves and dreary lines of hoarding, panic-buying obatarians. Rāmen and a look around some bicycle shops (preparation for my flight to hills when the current gaijin exodus turns into a rout) seemed like a fine idea.
Nakaitabashi is just the right distance, and from what I’ve seen has just the right amount of mildly interesting looking noodle sellers. I chanced upon one of the Menya Tenhō chain, which not only enjoys a spot not far from the station, but also sports a rather kawaii noodle-slurping piggy motif. Inside, the usual ticket machine, wooden counter and salt-of-the-earth types manning the steamy stainless steal kitchen and assorted pots and pans. Above the counter a sign suggesting that diners request the preferences, for example firm or soft noodles, strong or thin tasting soups and large or small portions.
Feeling hungry, I worked my way through the tonkotsujōyu zenbuiri rāmen, i.e., the pork and soy sauce broth rāmen with all the works. The works, in this case being four leaves of nori, four good slices of pleasingly lean roast pork, a sprinkling of negi and healthy piles of beansprouts and menma, neatly framed with two halves of boiled egg.
The chef served the bowl with a beaming smile, clearly proud of his creations. All ingredients were delicious, and the veggies nice and crisp (although you have to wonder how regular deliveries of vegetables have been recently). My only niggles were that the first mouthful of menma was somehow sweet tasting, and the egg yolk could have been just a tad firmer. The noodles themselves were firm and slightly wavy. The soup, too, was delicious and the floating globules of fat kept to a minimum.
My dining partner had the tonkotsujōyu (same base broth as above) negi chāshū rāmen, topped with a teetering pile of beansprouts and shredded nori, and lesser amounts of all the ingredients I had enjoyed, with the exception of the egg, and adorned with scattered sesame seeds for good measure. Here too, both quality and quantity were apparently adequate. Certainly not a peep – complaint or otherwise – was heard for a good ten minutes or so.
To fill the corners (as Hobbits are wont to put it), complimentary bowls of rice were served (between 11:30am~3pm). A wholly unnecessary touch. I’d visit again, and you should too if you ever pass that way.
03-5375-1081
http://menya-tenho.jp/
Monday, January 14, 2013 at 7:42PM | 
A venerable soba joint on Platinum Dōri just a couple of minutes walk from Shirokanedai station, Toshian is both popular and worth a visit.
Lunchtimes are especially busy, and on high days queues are to be expected.
Not a large shop, the interior is traditional and sitting face-to-face with strangers is the norm. 
The menu is comprehensive, the service a little brusque, and the food excellent, although the tempura is of the heavy/ oily type rather than the light and crisp variety I’ve come to prefer.
Both the tendon and tempura soba were excellent, the soba being particularly good.
The tamagoyaki, seemingly a dish for which the shop is loved, was fluffy and sweet. 
Not the cheapest lunch around, but thoroughly enjoyable.
