いつもと違う料理を注文しました : Shisen Tei

This time, I would like to introduce "Shisen Tei."

Since I visited during the year-end season, the usual lunch set meals were not available.
It felt like I had to choose from the regular menu.
In that case, I wanted to try something different.
I decided to take a little adventure and opted for noodles instead of rice dishes.

I ordered the "Pork Rib Soup Noodles."
I usually go for the mixed fried noodles, but I thought it would be nice to switch it up for a change.
The pork rib is likely a spare rib.
I often see it in Yokohama's Chinatown lately.
My impression is that it has a spicy flavor with a soy sauce base and a crispy coating.
However, the pork rib at Shisen Tei didn't have a crispy coating.
To be more specific, it had an extremely thin layer of batter? (It might not have had any at all.)
The spiciness was more of a curry-flavored spice rather than just hot.
I had imagined something heavier, so my excitement dipped a bit.

The noodles were chewy and delicious, and the soup had a good balance.
I think it's interesting to order different dishes once in a while.

This time, I'm introducing "Shisen Tei."
Whenever I visit Karuizawa and crave Chinese food, I always come to Shisen Tei.
I usually order something with a variety of ingredients.
However, this time I chose the "Spicy Yakisoba with Assorted Ingredients" instead of my usual plain yakisoba.
It was lunchtime, and the parking lot was nearly full.
I was surprised to see quite a crowd, as I usually come earlier when there are fewer customers.
But it's not surprising considering how delicious the food is!

"Spicy Yakisoba with Assorted Ingredients"
The ingredients were the same as the regular yakisoba.
However, the level of spiciness was completely different from what the name suggests.
It's not just about being spicy; rather, it has a gradual heat that builds in your body.
At first, I thought I could handle it, but soon I felt sweat forming on my nose, followed by beads of sweat on my forehead.
It's not just spicy; the deliciousness remains, so I couldn't put my chopsticks down.
I truly believe the only difference between the spicy version and the regular yakisoba is the heat.
By the time I finished my meal, I was completely satisfied and happy.
Lunch comes with coffee, giving me a chance to relax afterward, which made me very satisfied.
I can't wait to see what to try next time.

This time, I would like to introduce Shisen Tei.

I have visited a few times, but it always seemed to coincide with their irregular closing days, so I never had the chance to dine there until now. I was really happy when I found it open this time!

The interior has a typical Chinese restaurant vibe. The staff were dressed in uniforms provided by the restaurant, which added a formal touch to the service.
The menu was filled with a variety of Chinese dishes. Among them, my companion highly recommended the Gomoku Soba (mixed noodle soup), saying it was their favorite.
I thought I would definitely burn my mouth on a thick noodle dish, so I ordered the Gomoku Yakisoba (fried noodles).

While waiting, the atmosphere felt quite elegant. The restaurant was not noisy, allowing for a calm dining experience.

As for the Gomoku Yakisoba, it was just as the name suggests, packed with various ingredients. The dish included cloud ears, bok choy, pork, cabbage, carrots, and bamboo shoots, all colorful and appetizing! Although the ingredients had similar cuts, the thickness varied depending on the type of food, making it easy to eat as a whole.
The noodles were perfectly fried to my liking, providing the right firmness. Recently, I’ve seen fewer dishes like this type of fried noodle.
I was lucky to find one last year, and now I’ve discovered another early this year!
The flavor was just right, and while the portion might be a bit generous, it was filling and absolutely delightful. Each ingredient delivered a unique texture and umami that makes you want to come back for more.
It’s a recommended Chinese restaurant in Karuizawa.