A note on the words: yodaredori (kou shui ji) is poached chicken served under a spiced chili sauce, here laid over crisp bean sprouts with a savory, spicy kick. Kaenzan, evoking the Flaming Mountains, is the house name attached to several of its mapo tofu dishes. Tsukemen are noodles served with the broth on the side for dipping, and ankake refers to a thick, savory sauce poured over noodles. Sansho is numbing pepper, and yakuzen denotes cooking that incorporates medicinal herbs and spices.
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Jun Dento Sichuan Katei Ryori Senpinshan Bekkan on Tabelog (English) — opening hours, payment details and the Japanese address are kept up to date there, not here.
Hello, this is Hangover Meshi. The place I visited this time was Senpinshan, located right near Ichigaya Station. In truth, I had planned to go to the eel restaurant next door, but it had already closed at 14:00, so I stepped into the appetizing Chinese restaurant next to it. Apparently it is a spot for home-style Sichuan cooking, and judging by the signboard at the entrance, the yodaredori (poached chicken in chili sauce) seems to be famous, though everything on the menu looks delicious.
They seem to use premium local Sichuan sansho (peppercorn) and yakuzen (medicinal-herb) spices.
The original Kaenzan stone-grilled mapo tofu — 850 yen
Stone-grilled mapo tofu tsukemen — 980 yen
Kaenzan mapo tofu ankake noodles — 950 yen
Kaenzan mapo tofu fried rice — 1,000 yen
Sichuan yodaredori — 850 yen
Chilled yodare eggplant, in the same spiced chilli dressing — 850 yen
Chilled yodaredori noodles — 1,050 yen
Some time ago, I ate yodaredori that felt very close to the real thing inside the Japan-China Friendship Center, and it was quite delicious.
Truth be told, the chilled yodare eggplant looked very tempting, but there was a small note saying it was sold out, so I went with the yodaredori set.
Either way, having everything priced so reasonably around 850 yen is great.
I wonder if these spices on display are those local Sichuan spices.
After waiting a short while, here it is:
By the way, I asked for a smaller serving of rice. Refills are free, so I figured I could always ask for more if it was not enough.
Even with a smaller serving, however, they dish it out pretty generously, so this looks like plenty.
And as for the star of the show, the yodaredori… looks delicious!
The one at the Japan-China Friendship Center was covered completely in sauce, but this one might be closer to the yodaredori I am used to seeing.
Taking a bite: yes, delicious indeed. The chicken is tender, and the sauce has a great authentic feel to it. Spicy and good. The heat is moderate; apparently you can ask for extra hot or similar, but they did not ask me, so I assume this is standard. It is not overly fiery, perfectly manageable. The bean sprouts seem to be spread underneath, and eating them with the chicken adds a crisp texture that makes it even tastier.
Above all, the rich seasoning goes wonderfully with rice. I can certainly see why this place is popular.
They also do delivery, and it seems a substantial amount goes out.
Judging the yodaredori on its own, the one at Iidabashi packed more of an impact, but this is plenty delicious.
At this price and this quality, I would happily come again!
The chicken portion was quite large, so even with less rice I was completely stuffed. Half a serving of rice might have been enough. In any case, it is fantastic having such an extensive menu with every item so reasonably priced. By the way, the restaurant has “Bekkan” (annex) in its name, but I wonder where the main branch is? Even around 14:00 it was quite busy, so I imagine people around here visit often. If the chilled yodare eggplant comes back, I might just return!
Jun Dento Sichuan Katei Ryori Senpinshan Bekkan (Sichuan / Iidabashi Station, Kudanshita Station, Ushigome-kagurazaka Station)
Tabelog lunch rating ★★★☆☆ 3.5
I ate here and paid for it myself. Nothing on this site is a comped meal.
One more for the road?
