“Art & Gourmet” is our recurring feature that recommends restaurants near the venues where we look at art. This time we introduce a shop that makes a strong ally for a round of Ginza galleries.
Today’s spot is “Hashigo,” a specialist dan dan noodle restaurant.
The noodle menu
“Hashigo” has several branches around Ginza. In addition to the main store visited this time, it operates locations in Ginza 4-chome, Ginza 8-chome and elsewhere, making it a small chain.
The house specialty is dan dan noodles, and the simplest item on the menu — “Dan Dan Men” — is our top pick. Thin noodles are wound around a clean, straightforward broth, with a distinctive touch of yuzu perfuming the soup with a bright fragrance.
The menu lets you customize the spice level, the firmness of the noodles, and the amount of yuzu in the broth. This writer always orders “extra spicy, firm noodles, and extra yuzu.”
Dan Dan Men (800 yen)
When ordering you will also be asked, “Would you like some rice with that?” The rice is free, and refills are available. The customary move is to top it with the complimentary pickles on the table.
Complimentary rice (free pickles to top it with)
Adding rice makes it wonderfully filling.
There can be lines at lunchtime, but the Ginza main store has plenty of seating and the turnover is quick.
A magnificent menu
If you are feeling a bit worn out, a beer will do the trick. The drinks list even extends to sake.
Drinks and small-plate menu
The Ginza main store is a few minutes’ walk from “MEDEL GALLERY SHU” in the Teikoku Plaza Hotel and is also close to GINZA SIX.
Dan Dan Men here is a truly addictive gem. Do try it.
It is one of the invaluable places to lean on during a Ginza gallery walk.
Details
Shina-Men Hashigo, Ginza Main Store
Hours:
[Mon–Fri] 11:00–5:00 (next day)
[Sat, Sun & holidays] 11:00–21:00
Closed: Open every day
Address: 1F Dai-Ni Soirée-de Bldg., 6-3-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
