01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
When the craving calls for an unpretentious, old-school bowl of noodles, Daruma in the backstreets of Mukojima, Sumida Ward, makes for an easy stop. The house signature is traditional shoyu ramen, where familiar soy sauce notes spread gently across the palate—the sort of honest bowl you could happily eat every day without tiring of it. The soy sauce offerings also branch out to suit your mood, ranging from delicate, light-colored shiro shoyu to richer, deeper koikuchi varieties.
Beyond classic soy sauce, the soup repertoire runs wide, featuring seafood ramen and tsukemen accented with gentle katsuo bonito dashi, alongside mild, gently sweet white-miso ramen. Diners looking for brothless noodles can opt for mazesoba, served hot or cold, with extra toppings and larger noodle portions available to tailor the bowl to taste.
To round out a meal, an assortment of compact sides proves handy: boiled gyoza ordered in modest portions, chashu don topped with braised pork, or simple nori cheese. With bottled beer, highballs, and sour cocktails on the drink menu, it is just as easy to drop by for a casual drink before finishing the evening with noodles.
Furnished with counter stools and table seating, the modest dining room has a relaxed, welcoming air that works well for a solitary lunch or an impromptu dinner. Payment is cash only, so be sure to have yen ready before taking a seat.
