A dream connection...

Day 1001:

あっら～めん！

Sakura Shokudo (桜食堂) in Kyodo opened about a year ago with little or no hype.

But I must say that this Shoyu Ramen (醤油ら～めん) is one of the better bowls I've had this year.

It's clean. And by clean I mean crisp and refreshing. An impressive blend of old-school and new-school.

Looking at the chefs uniform, I thought he had some connection with FDNY so I asked him. It turns out he doesn't. Apparently, a uniform shop in Shimokitazawa has these shirts numbered 1 through 4 and although he currently works alone, he thought it would be cool to have his staff where these with a different number. Ha! Now that's some inside scoop! lol.

Anyway, this night was all about the dream connection.

Four years ago, it started with a bowl of dreams...

And then a trek to Sacramento to slurp one of the best bowls of ramen in NoCal.

Yup, Shoki Ramen in Tokyo!!! After a great dinner, Ueyama-san wanted to check out IRP so I took them.

Thank you Ueyama-san!!!

1000 days...

Day 1000:

One thousand days of living my ramen dream...and I woke up craving katsu-don. haha.

But that craving must have been a fluke...

Kai

Cuz I was back to my ramen ways by late afternoon.

Love this place.

And so do the birds.

Jerk GCS!!!

Speaking of jerk...

Haha, jk jerks.

Famlee...

Day 999:

After working the lunch shift...

I got the night off so I could hang with family. Although I may not show it, my family means everything to me.

Immediate or not, family is family.

Friends are also family.

Good Wood Kenta

And enemies?...

Well, who needs enemies.

998...

Day 998:

997...

Day 997:

Six...

Day 996:

About six months ago I ate at Wadachi for the last time. For shortly after that they had closed shop for good. I found out some of the reasons during my recent secret adventure, but I'll have to refrain from posting them today. Anyway, about six days ago I noticed a new shop had opened up in its place. Tsukemen Roku (つけ麺六) in Shinsen.

Just what we need...

Another tonkotsu-gyokai tsukemen shop. haha.

Alright, time to dice some onions.

And let the tears fall...

Guess...

Day 995:

The bowl...

Then phone home...

A rise in excitement...

Day 994:

A simple tsukemen for lunch...

An excellent dinner at my Aunt and Uncle's...

And a meeting for the ages.

盛り上がりましょう！

993...

Day 993:

Hope...

Day 992:

It hasn't been lost, but it has been wandering. The absence of creativity affects the creative imagination unimaginably.

The mind will always race without a finish. Run, stop. Let go, hold on. Let it wander. Let it bleed. After all, everything is meant to be...

Soba ramen...

Day 991:

This could be a crime. And if so, I am undoubtedly guilty.

For I went to a soba shop and ordered ramen--Miso Ramen.

And it was actually pretty good.

Split decision...

Day 990:

On our way to go see the fight of the year, we stopped at Keisuke (肉そば総本山 神保町 けいすけ) in Jimbocho.

Shoyu Nikusoba (肉そば極み 醤油).

Keisuke is, well, Keisuke. You either love it or hate it.

Anyway, time for the title fight!!

Go Nabe!!

After 10 rounds, it was a close fight. But unfortunately the judges were in favor of the champion.

I think Nabe should have won, but he's still young and I know he'll be champion one day.

Hiya nibo...

Day 989:

It was hot and I needed something to cool me down.

Hiya Nibo aka Cold Niboshi Ramen.

Gotta love it!

Classic Saikoro aka Jiraigen.

Koitani-san is a true ramen G!

988 days...

Day 988:

Of this...

bleh

\(^o^)/