Tan Tan Tiger (CLOSED)

This low-key Taito favourite only serves a soupless version of dandanmen but allows for lots of customisation. Here, the customer is king – you choose the level of spiciness (expect plenty of habanero chilli if you’re feeling bold) as well as the the ‘numbing’ strength, ie how much Szechuan pepper you’d like. Don’t be deterred by the dish’s brilliant red colour; the nuttiness from the sesame seeds makes it more flavourful and, frankly, worryingly addictive. Complete your thick, chewy noodles with heaps of coriander – or get what Tan Tan Tiger unsubtly call the ‘ladies’ version’, which cuts down on the noodles and throws in a sprinkling of chia seeds.