Horai

Tucked into a residential pocket of Tateishi in Katsushika Ward, Chinese restaurant Horai offers the classic pleasure of combining noodles and rice dishes to your liking. Pairing a simple ramen or a clean-tasting shio ramen with a half or bowl-sized portion of fried rice is a perennial way to match your appetite. Alternating spoonfuls of the wok-scorched rice with hot soup delivers the honest, comforting fullness typical of a neighbourhood machi chuka.

The noodle menu covers generous ground, making tanmen or vegetable stir-fry ramen appealing choices when you want plenty of greens. Other options include vegetable miso ramen, warmed by the gentle aromatics of ginger and garlic, or rich, spicy mabo noodles. A plate of gyoza with finely minced filling alongside a cold beer is another unhurried way to round out the meal.

Inside, counter and table seating welcome solo diners dropping by for lunch or an easy dinner after work. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays, and opens from 11:00 to 14:00 for lunch and 17:00 to 20:00 for dinner on Mondays and Wednesdays through Sundays. Payment is cash only.