No noodle soup-free Chen Mabo noodles (1,100 yen)
マーボー丼ハーフ（440円）
We visited during lunchtime. Since we arrived a bit later than the peak time, the restaurant was in a calm atmosphere. We were guided to a table seat.
Last time, and even before that, I ordered Chen Mabo Tofu. So, I wanted to try something else, but it wasn’t easy to decide. After some thought, I decided to order Chen Mabo Noodles without soup.
For lunch, you can get the half-sized Maro-don for an additional 440 yen, or you can choose the Chen Maro-don for an extra 473 yen. Therefore, I would like to order the regular Maro-don separately from the main dish.
First, half of the Mabōdon was delivered, followed by the sansou Chen Mabōmaki a little later. When compared, the color difference is quite noticeable. The Chen Mabōmaki has a darkish color, with an abundance of mountain pepper, and its aroma is also very fragrant. Along with the pungent taste of chili peppers, the intense numbing sensation is truly overwhelming. This combination is perfectly matched by the thin, straight noodles, which have a crisp texture that enhances the meal experience.
However, the usual marobo has a strong spiciness, while also possessing a rich umami flavor that spreads throughout. It complements the rice perfectly, making it an extremely delicious combination. Both the noodles and the rice are delicious in marobo, but the rice is even more flavorful than the noodles.
Chen Mabo Tofu (1,100 yen)
I visited this restaurant during lunch. After climbing up to the second floor where the store is located using the elevator, I was guided to a table and checked the menu. The soyless mapo chuan noodles looked extremely delicious, and I hesitated for a moment before finally deciding on the Chen ma po tofu, which really caught my interest. I ordered rice with a large portion.
The lunch set includes the main Chen Mabo tofu as the core dish, along with rice, soup, zaise, salad, a small plate of food, and almond tofu. Rice and soup are available for free.
Makoto Tofu is immediately filled with the fragrant scent of Shanjiao upon arrival, stimulating the hunger. As soon as you take a bite, a moderate numbing sensation and a strong, well-rounded spiciness spread throughout your mouth, along with an unparalleled umami flavor. The balance between spicy and umami is quite good, and it pairs perfectly with rice. The large portion of rice disappears quickly. The finely textured minced meat and the slightly overdone texture of tofu also contribute to the deliciousness.
This soup is made with eggs as the main ingredient. It contains shiitake mushrooms, giving it a flavor that combines the saltiness of Chinese broth with a hint of acidity. It’s truly delicious. If I had more time, I would definitely eat both ingredients.
Chen Mabo Tofu Set (968 yen)
I visited this restaurant for lunch. I sat at a table on the window side, going straight from the entrance. I checked the menu. The lunch set includes two types of mapo tofu: the usual mapo tofu and Chen Mapo tofu. Both options are available at the same price. The Chen Mapo tofu is described as having a spicy taste enhanced by Shanjiao pepper. So, without hesitation, I ordered Chen Mapo tofu. As for rice, I can choose between white rice and porridge. Again, without hesitation, I chose white rice.
A set menu featuring main mapo tofu, white rice, zha sai, cabbage salad, egg soup, steamed chicken with green pepper sauce, and almond tofu was served. The mapo tofu exudes a refreshing and stimulating aroma of mountain pepper, while the bright red color and flavor of chili oil stimulate hunger.
As soon as I took a bite, I was struck by the stimulating spiciness and the pleasant numbness that came after a certain time. In addition, a rich umami flavor spread throughout my mouth. The finely chopped green onions added a nice texture, effectively enhancing the taste of other ingredients such as ground meat and tofu.
Even if eaten plain, it’s still delicious. But of course, Onza Rice is indispensable. The texture of the hard-cooked rice combines perfectly with the spiciness and umami of the mapo sauce. As expected, it’s incredibly tasty. No matter how you eat it, it’s delicious. The gradual onset of the spiciness and numbing sensation is simply irresistible.
