Day 764:
I woke up with a desire to try a very 'locals only' ramen shop. Not that it's actually 'locals only', it just seems that way. But anyway, I chickened out. Yup, I passed by and just couldn't find the courage to walk in. Shocking, I know...
So instead I went back to Rinki (臨機) in Nishieifuku.
And ordered the Moccos Bomber 2012.
Um, that looks nothing like the picture...
To describe it, it was just a garlicky tonkotsu ramen. It was good, but not exactly satisfying. Perhaps due to my regret of chickening out with the 'locals only' shop. Anyway, I need another bowl...
Okay, time for redemption. Niko Niko Tei (ニコニコ亭) is the 'locals only' shop that I've been referring to. It's not a popular shop, nor is it even recognized by most ramen aficionado's, but it's always filled with locals. I only know this because I peek through the crack in the door every time I walk by. Alright, time to face my fears...
Here's how it went down: I walk in and there's one seat open. Every other seat is filled with a local who seems to personally know the master. As I walk in, EVERY single head turns to look at me. And they weren't just glances, they were stares...deep 30 second stares...followed by quiet whispers. The master, on the other hand, didn't even acknowledge I was there. No greeting, no いらっしゃいませ, not even a glance. So I sit down and after a couple minutes of debating whether I still have time to run out or not, the master finally turns to me with a blank stare. I then nervously squeak out 'Chashumen kudasai' and he looks away as if I didn't say a word. This is when I tweeted: "I am terrified right now. I've never felt so out of place before." The rest of my time there was spent trying to blend in. Eventually the focus was off of me and I just kept my eyes on my bowl. Not wanting to cause much more of a stir, I only took this one picture. The ramen was delightfully average yet it calmed my nervous soul. Then after I finished my bowl, the shop began to feel different. As if I actually belonged there. Suddenly, it wasn't so intimidating. Even the people around me were now laughing and joking around. And as I got up to leave, the master finally smiled and apologized for making me wait. Wait...could it really be? Did I just get accepted? Am I now a local??
I guess I'll have to go back to find out. Btw, the master looked EXACTLY like this.
Life is just so pure...
Special thanks to Kate for coming in all the way from Ottawa, Canada!!
And thank you for the bracelet!!!!
Chances are I'll still be wearing it the next time we meet. Thanks again!!
hey Keizo,
ReplyDeleteit was great to finally meet you! Love the GC ramen...definitely coming back next time I'm in Tokyo...
and どういたしましてon the bracelet!
cheers
kate
Haha, Niko Niko Tei sounds like a scene out of Tampopo.
ReplyDelete