いらっしゃいませ!

Welcome to my ramen dream... Currently being interpreted in Ramen Burger Land... Looking for a good slurp? Email me ! - Keizo

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Pleasureful potage...

Day 604:

I couldn't be more pleased with how today went. It began with an innocent pasta lunch in Kichijoji with relatives.


The focaccia was awesome!


The chicken tataki was great.


But the pasta? Let's just say I was in good company.


After lunch I rode my bike along the Kanda river and came across this cool looking bird. You can't really tell from the picture, but this bird was beautiful.


Anyway, I found a real hidden gem near Nakano-Shimbashi station. Just over a year ago, the "next" ramen trend was declared as potage ramen. Uzen (うぜん) in Honcho got it's share of the fame, but seems to have since fizzled out of the spotlight.


I came here to try one thing and one thing only...Torishio Potage Tsukemen.


Wow! This is not your traditional tsukemen, but I like it! Creamy without being too milky, flavorful without being too salty, and dreamy without being too sleepy. It had a very nostalgic feel to it too. I can't pinpoint it but it felt like it invoked a memory of a flavor from my childhood. This is definitely something that I will have to try again.


Have I mentioned that it's rainy season?


Can't wait to visit home...

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Butamen...

Day 603:

It's hot, but it's only going to get hotter. I was craving tsukemen so naturally we went back to Seisyomaru, the only shop in Ebina with a decent tsukemen.


濃厚味噌つけめん (Rich Miso Tsukemen). Mouthwatering...


Butamen?


After work I met up with Jamie at Bassanova. He's now three weeks into his IR+ experience and it was good to hear that he's doing well. Go Jamie!


Surprisingly, I decided to order the Tondaku Soba today. Something felt different, but it was still good enough to slurp the entire bowl.


Thanks for the material Jamie! It will prove to be very useful someday.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

An improved species...

Day 602:

Everyday we try to make improvements. And although some things are better left untouched, we still try hard to enhance our lives in every way possible. Check out this creation: Tan Tan Tataki-han. It's like the Hiyashi Tan Tan on rice. You'll have to thank Martin for this idea.


It's funny how a picture can make me so damn hungry. haha.


Lately I've been thinking a lot about Ranchu (中華蕎麦 蘭鋳), curious to see how much they've improved.


At first glance, I noticed that the soup was a lighter color than the past couple times I've been here. Sure enough, it tasted different too. It tasted better. A lot better. And after striking up a brief convo with the master (he remembered me!), I found out that they've been using a better quality niboshi.


Now this is one bowl I can slurp more often. And that chashu is amazing.


Hmm...how can I improve upon my slurp count...

Monday, June 27, 2011

Blackout...

Day 601:

As we were finishing up our morning prep and getting ready to open, it happened. All of the lights turned off.


We first thought it was just our shop and that our breaker had dropped, but looking out the window it seemed the whole block went down. People were flooding out of the malls and traffic was getting backed up. Apparently (as I found out later), this power outage was not associated with the rolling blackouts I had mentioned in an earlier post. It lasted about 20 minutes and we were able to go on with business as usual.


The business of making ramen and eating it.


On my way home, I stopped by Ryu-chan Ramen for some Spicy Shio ramen.


With extra chashu! 旨い!!


Made in paradise...



Small room went boom...

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Going back to cali...

Day 600:

It's official.


Hey, look who it is!


Sorry, I got sidetracked.


As I was saying. It's official. I'll be going home next month.


No not for good...yet. But for good cause. I'll arrive on 7/19. So if you're free, let's go grab a bowl!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Getting used to it...

Day 599:

The rain was once again starting to fall, reassuring that the rainy season was still among us. It's nasty this time of year, but despite our complaints we all just get used to it.


I took a walk to one of my local spots only because it was close.


The chashumen is always a little too salty, but I've gotten used to it.


There are many things I've gotten used to recently.


And quite frankly I'm getting tired of it. It's time to shake things up!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Instant blah...

Day 598:

With the heat, things are definitely starting to slow down. Or maybe it's my medication. Whatever it is, I feel lazy. Luckily, I only had to work the lunch shift today and got to eat some garlic rice.


With the usual shio ramen.


Speaking of lazy, I didn't want to leave my house once I got home so I opened the Toyama Black instant ramen that I had been saving.


Unlike traditional instant noodles, these are non-fried.


Add hot water and wait 4 minutes...


And you get a bowl of instant blah that tastes nothing like the real Toyama Black.


The soup is way too peppery, but the noodles were...well...they were non-fried.


Did I just say peppery?

Ramen Bull

I'm pretty sure you've heard by now (the buzz is all around us) that Breadbar's West 3rd Street location is hosting a "pop up ramen concept" by Chef Noriyuki Sugie that features an all beef-based broth. If you're in Los Angeles you should definitely check it out.


I'll be there next month...

Peko Peko

A little overdue, but please consider buying this cookbook for a great cause. A friend of ours has a recipe in it, as well as many other popular bloggers you may recognize. All proceeds go to GlobalGiving and their Japan Earthquake And Tsunami Relief Fund. Buy it now!!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Secret cells...

Day 597:

After a painful visit to the ward office, Mensaibou (めんさいぼう五郎左) was waiting for me around the corner. As I walked in, a VERY friendly waitress was there to greet me (you'll see what I mean if you go there). I had my heart set on trying the Special Curry Tsukemen, but had it broken when learning that it was only served on weekends.


Although Mensaibou is known more for their tsukemen, I decided to go with their ramen.


A little sour, very fishy, with the chicken and pork stock yielding a tangy creaminess. The noodles are satisfying, but the overall bowl is like a lesser-developed Tsujita.


Inari time!


As you can probably guess, it's my day off. Time for another shop! Tokumen Kotsuicchou (特麺コツ一丁ラーメン) in Hatagaya has always been on my radar but whenever I'd go there it would be closed. Funny enough, I wasn't planning on going there tonight and it was open.


The master is a friendly dude in a quirky sort of way. His mannerisms are just a joy to watch.


I ordered the Wontonmen with garlic. The soup here is great. With plenty of oil and seabura it goes down nice and smooth.


The noodles, on the other hand, are a bit too dry and not as chewy as I would've liked.


The wontons were moist but mediocre.


But this red stuff was bomb! Two types of chili mixed with a little rayu added to your bowl will leave you extremely satisfied.


Time to walk off the calories...or should I say limp.


Saw the doc today and my foot will be okay. It's just badly bruised and thankfully not broken.