紅龍門 池袋西口店 at Ikebukuro, Tokyo

An authentic Chinese and Sichuan hot-pot spot by Ikebukuro west exit, famed for its gyoza and split-broth hot pot.

Kouryuu-mon sits on the second floor of the MK Building a short walk from Ikebukuro west exit, just outside the Fukutoshin line C1 exit, and trades in honest Chinese cooking with a Sichuan streak. The around 28-seat room carries an otherworldly mood, and the kitchen prides itself above all on its gyoza, packed tight with the flavour of the filling, alongside a careful dim sum lineup. Diners regularly point to the mapo tofu, Chinese soup and tender almond tofu as reasons to return. The headline dish is the Sichuan hot pot, served as a set for two to three at 2,980 yen, with a fiery red spicy soup balanced against a milder white tonkotsu soy-milk broth, into which guests add their chosen ingredients. Lunch offers a uniform-price set menu with options such as five-mesh fried rice, and an evening drink set from 1,000 yen and all-you-can-drink hot-pot courses from 3,980 yen cover parties and send-offs. Lunch runs 11:30 to 14:30 and dinner 17:00 to 23:30, with the branch closed on Sundays. For anyone after unfussy, full-flavoured Chinese near Ikebukuro west exit, Kouryuu-mon delivers gyoza, dim sum and a warming hot pot in equal measure. Its blend of fair prices, flexible courses and a relaxed mood makes it a handy choice for a quick lunch or a lively evening with friends.