Rakuta Maratan

At Rakuta Maratan, you choose both the spice level and the toppings for your bowl of mala tang. The soup comes without ingredients, so you select your own additions, and spice levels range from no heat to extra hot. Some diners say sesame paste lends the broth a rich, mellow flavour that works well with the tingling sensation of Sichuan pepper. You can keep the heat low to savour the sesame, or opt for a spicier, numbing bowl. Choosing noodles, vegetables and other toppings is part of the experience.

To accompany the mala tang, try boiled dumplings filled with garlic chives and scrambled egg (10 pieces), or sesame balls (3 pieces), crisp and fragrant outside with a soft, chewy centre. For a lighter bite, there are fried skewers of enoki mushrooms wrapped in dried tofu, served with spices and sauce. Drinks include honey peach oolong, pairing the fragrant sweetness of peach with the gentle astringency of oolong, and ChaPi, a fruity tea drink.

The restaurant is in the basement of Joy Shakujii Building in Shakujiimachi. It offers dine-in service as well as takeaway and collection at the entrance. It is also described as suitable for solo dining, making it an easy place to try a bowl with your preferred toppings and level of heat.