Poppoya/Yushimaぽっぽや/湯島

  

This is the second Poppoya that I have been to - the first one being in Nihonbashi. The portion at this branch was much bigger than the other Poppoya. This branch also has a special abura soba that looked similar to Ikaruga's.... but only a fixed number of them per day. This is probably the smallest ramen shop I have been in a in a while - only 8 seats in an awkward 4x4 configuration. It's right across from Daiki, and you can see the length of the Daiki line in the above picture. There were about 5 people outside, including older and younger couples. If you get the tsukemen you will be asked warm or cold noodles. They have that free Ramen Bank magazine there now, the one that is like the Torasan one but free. This place is closed on Sundays but open on holidays (but check first). The things that distinguish Poppoya from Jiro, even though the pictures look similar, are the garlickyness and onionyness of the broth and the more rounded shape and significantly harder firmness of the noodles. As I said they were much more generous on the portion and the extra chashu. Very quick service. The branch in Nihonbashi is ranked the best as of this writing, but this one is a close second. Always good as a backup if the line at Daiki is too long , which it always seems to be. I always walk out of any Poppoya with the same satisfied feeling (at least taste-wise).

TabeAruki review (much better pictures)
Diddlefinger Map (English labels)
Google Map