Tanpopo Noodle Shop: The Tour

If you frequent Lowertown St. Paul and still haven't visited Tanpopo Noodle Shop, you're missing out on a local paragon of Japanese cuisine. Though you can get any of Tanpopo's soothing, filling, soul-satisfying noodle soups with udon noodles (thick, chewy, and made mostly of wheat flour), try the soba noodle option, which has a more complex texture and flavor thanks to the buckwheat. The mammoth portion is one of the best deals in town at $9.50, but this friendly, airy restaurant has plenty of other tempting dishes. PHOTOS BY ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ

Cheap eats around the Twin Cities

Published on September 4, 2012