The sign used to say Toshu with a logo of something like a Chinese girl, but now it's Renge Shokudo toshu. Still, the mapo don remains and was delicious. I made it a set with mini ramen too. I absolutely love the aroma of Toshu's mapo don that wafts through your nose—perhaps from Sichuan pepper salt?—and its just-right heat. So much so that I'd like them to sell it in pouches like Saitama's Sutacurry. I now live in Saitama, so I only get a chance to eat it when I come to Tokyo, but I'd love them to come to Saitama City too.

+1

【The distinctive scent of white rice, mourning the passing year】 I stopped by Maruetsu Chofu (formerly Korakuen Store) to finish my year-end shopping. Wanting a quick takeout lunch, I bought a bento here. ◆ Mapo tofu bento（702円） The mapo tofu was neither good nor bad. However, the white rice had a distinctive smell that really bothered me…. That was a little disappointing. To think I chose a lunch like this to close out the year. Next year, I hope to make better choices.

+2

I hadn't noticed at all that a “Renge Shokudo Toshu” had opened here. I recently also visited “Renge Shokudo Toshu” in Higashikurume, and because the menu was affordable and delicious, I wanted to go again. This time I chose the half fried rice and half ramen set. The fried rice in particular had nicely separated grains and light seasoning, and was very delicious. Taking a receipt for 500円 or more from eating here and my Maruetsu underground parking ticket to Maruetsu's general service counter got me 3 hours of free parking. You can also pay with PayPay. 【Update 2020/08/02】 I had the mini hiyashi chuka lunch set. It also came with fried rice and gyoza, making a delicious lunch.

+3

A restaurant next to Origin Toshu's headquarters. The menu is the same as at other Renge Shokudo locations. The seasoning seems the same too, but both the cooking and the firmness of the noodles feel exactly right. People from headquarters seem to visit often, and perhaps because of that, the staff seem to work the best here. What bothered me was how those headquarters employees talked to the restaurant staff. Even if the conversation isn't about work, is it appropriate to speak condescendingly and tie up clearly nervous restaurant staff, even briefly, when the restaurant isn't exactly empty and an ordinary customer (me) is right beside them? They probably act this way out of a sense of being among their own, but since it happened more than once, it has left me with a less favorable impression of the restaurant itself.

Cheap and fast. However, the flavors are salty, and some dishes are oily. The Shanghai yakisoba in particular was dripping with oil. You order using the tablet at your seat, and PayPay is also accepted. The interior is clean because it's new, and the staff work briskly. I think it's the cheapest lunch around here, so it gets crowded, but turnover is quick.