Photo by Aeve Baldwin

They say good men are hard to find. Not in Tokyo, the noodle capital of the world. Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Thai - you name it, they' here in such a variety of colors, shapes and flavors that even the most demanding Tokyo Girl can't fail to be satisfied. Slurp slurp. Aeve Baldwin

Kura - Thai Green Curry Udon
A steaming bowl of wriggling udon noodles in a rich and fiery hot Thai green curry married with coconut milk, chicken, shrimp, eggplant and bamboo. Ask for it vegetarian and Kura will add potato, carrots and broccoli. Served only at lunch (evenings the place transforms into a bar with snack foods).
Open 11:30am-2pm Mon-Sat. 3-2-3 Katoreya Bldg 2F (03-5474-0445). Nearest stn: Ginza line Gaienmae.

Hokuto - Goma Ramen
Thin yellow noodles swim in a spicy sesame broth laced with red pepper and topped with a smattering of greens and a dollop of ground meat. This stuff is so good it boasts addicts and - I swear it! - can cure the common cold.
Ginza: Open 11am-4am Mon-Fri, 11am-11pm Sat, 11am-10pm Sun and holidays. 7-8-8 Ginza, Fuso Bldg B1, Chuo-ku (03-3289-8683). Nearest stn: Ginza. Aoyama: Open 11am-12am Mon-Fri, 11am-10pm weekends and holidays. 3-5-17 Kita Aoyama, Haruki Bldg B1 (03-3403-0078). Nearest stn: Omotesando. Harajuku: Open 11am-11pm Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm Sun and holidays. 1-17-1 Jingumae, Ruponte Bldg 1F, Shibuya-ku (03-3405-9015). Nearest stn: Harajuku.

La Grotta Celeste - Penne all'arrabbiata
If you like your penne very al dente, and I do, then this is perhaps the best arrabbiata in town. Perfectly underdone penne in a mildly spicy, mouthwatering sauce. The interior is beautiful as well, like being in a pink cave with a wood-burning stove. Perfect for dates and splurges.
Open 11:30am-3pm weekdays, 11:30am-4pm weekends and holidays and 5:30-10pm daily. 3-3-8-40 Minami Aoyama, Aoyama Center Bldg 1F, Minato-ku (03-3401-1261). Nearest stn: Omotesando.

Senba - Kurumi soba
Healthy and nutritious, Senba's kurumi (walnut) soba is a perfect light meal for the dog days of summer. Tastes even better with kishimen noodles in place of the soba.
Akihabara: Open 11:30am-10:30pm Mon-Fri, 11:30am-4pm Sat. Closed Sun and holidays. 11-1 Kanda Matsunagacho, Chiyoda-ku (03-3251-8645). Nearest stn: Kanda. Aoyama: Open 11am-10:30pm daily. 4-4-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku (03-5474-5977). Nearest stn: Omotesando. Hibiya: Open 11am-10pm Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm Sat. Closed Sun and holidays. 1-4-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku (03-3591-7384). Nearest stn: Hibiya. Kanda: Open 11am-10pm daily. 2-9-7 Kajicho, Onuki Bldg, Chiyoda-ku (03-3251-8007). Nearest stn: Kanda. Nihombashi: Open 11am-11pm daily. 4-1-13 Nihombashi Honcho, Chuo-ku (03-3270-7100). Nearest stn: JR Kanda or Sobu line Shin Nihonbashi.