01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
With their wrappers seared to a golden brown, the "tonton gyoza" are the signature item at Chinese Cuisine Tenpo, chosen as an Itabashi Ippin specialty. Made entirely without garlic, the filling is packed with vegetables, releasing a gentle sweetness balanced by the chew of the skins. A dip in table vinegar and black pepper complements them neatly, making them just as satisfying as a lunch side dish as they are alongside a cold draft beer or highball.
Another regular staple is the fried rice, distinctively pale and clean in appearance. Egg, chopped chashu pork, and scallions are evenly distributed throughout, seasoned with a brisk saltiness that keeps each spoonful easy to eat without tiring the palate. For hungrier lunch visits, set menus combining dumplings with ramen—which features medium-thick curly noodles in a light soy broth—offer reassuring value.
The noodle list spans numerous options, including the house Tenpo Men topped with a mix of shrimp, meat, and bound egg, alongside tanmen and mixed yakisoba, catering to whatever classic neighborhood Chinese mood strikes. Seating includes conventional tables as well as raised tatami booths, offering a relaxed environment whether dining solo on a quick midday break or sharing dishes with family. Set in Takashimadaira's residential quarters, it remains an easy stop when craving unpretentious, comforting fare.
