When walking from Iidabashi Station toward Nippon Budokan, I stumbled upon a striking shop: TOKYO SUNFLOWER IIDABASHI. At first glance, I wondered if it was a surf shop—but no, it’s a Sanuki udon shop! Does its exterior remind you of Tokyo Light Blue Hongo 3 (formerly Kokuwagata)? I thought so too. And I was right—they are related! TOKYO SUNFLOWER IIDABASHI is actually the second shop of Tokyo Light Blue. The manager previously worked at the Oniyanma group. The udon world is small! 🙂
They operate as a stand-up-eating shop, offering udon at affordable prices, just like Tokyo Light Blue and Oniyanma. The shop was bustling with customers, and many people also came for takeaway.
I couldn’t take a photo, but there’s a ticket vending machine at the entrance. The most inexpensive option is Hiyakake (cold udon with soup) for just 390 yen. Their menu includes shoyu udon (with soy sauce), bukkake udon (with a soy sauce-based broth), and kake udon (with soup). They also offer a variety of tempura toppings, including limited-time options.
Inside, the shop has only counter seating with partitions on the tables for a bit of privacy.
I ordered bukkake udon and a soft-boiled egg (onsen tamago). I love onsen tamago—it’s a must-have for me when eating udon! The total cost was just 530 yen, an incredible deal. The portion was 240g, which is quite large for me, so I made sure to arrive hungry. The cold broth was refreshing and had a rich sesame flavor.
The udon was wonderfully springy and satisfying. Despite the generous portion, I finished it easily thanks to the refreshing flavors, enhanced by plenty of green onions and grated ginger. Tokyo is still hot, so this light and cooling dish was perfect!
I also ordered a beer, and the tumbler was kept in the freezer—so it was ice cold!
To my surprise, they served me chicken tempura free of charge! While not officially advertised, it seems that customers who order alcoholic drinks often receive a complimentary tempura. I was thrilled because I had wanted to try it but initially decided against it, thinking I might not have room. The crispy coating and juicy interior made it absolutely delicious! The portion wasn’t too large, so I was able to enjoy it fully.
About
Name TOKYO SUNFLOWER IIDABASHI (トウキョウ サンフラワー イイダバシ)
Open Day through night
Reservation Unavailable
Credit card Unavailable
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