Focus...

Day 1140:

Sometimes we often overlook the things that need to be focused...

Sometimes the out of focus can be more important than the in focus...

Gyokai Tonkotsu Ramen from Bonobo

Life needs to balance between the two.

Consistently.

And regularly.

With a few flaws here and there.

Thank you mister prez!

2013 will be the year...

Tsukemen from Gyorai

The year...

Of the snake!!!

Swamp hero...

Day 872:

While browsing the web for a new shop to visit, Sawagami (澤神) in Shin-Nakano caught my eye.

For this was a tsukemen shop serving only tsukemen and, like all good tsukemen shops should do, they make their own noodles.

But as I stood in front of the ticket machine with all intention to try their regular tsukemen, something else piqued my interest.

Pepper Lemon Tsukemen (ペッパーレモンつけ麺)!

I'd have to say that this was one of the better bowls of tsukemen that I've had recently. Not only were the noodles really good, the soup was a fresh change from what tsukemen soups have been bred to be.

Later in the night I finally got to try a shop that has been eluding me, Shinanoshinmen Resshi Junmei (信濃神麺 烈士洵名) in Kasuga. Bond Of Hearts!

Tokusei Ramen (特製らーめん). My first reaction: Woah the nori is almost as big as the bowl!

The noodles were slippery soft, but the soup here is a work of art. On a side note, it took way too long for my ramen to come out. 35 minutes after sitting down is just unacceptable.

Anyway, time for a cocktail!

WHAT...IS...THAT?!

hahaha...

Retour...

Day 822:

I woke up this morning with the intent of heading to the airport, but on my way I got sidetracked and decided to kill some time in Nishi Nippori so I could check out the oft-hyped Kamunabi (神名備).

I had heard this place was pricey, but apparently they raised their prices again (Shoyu/Shio Ramen: 840円; Chashumen: 1,365円). I think I'll skip the chashu today.

This is one beautiful bowl.

Shoyu Ramen

I almost didn't want to eat it.

Almost...

The soup is what makes this ramen legendary. Although the stiff, bright yellow noodles weren't my thing, this bowl was one that I'd like to meet again.

The rest of the night was spent bursting bubbles.

And shucking tears.

The road ahead was looking so bright...

But as the saying goes, looks can be very deceiving.

Boosha...

Day 805:

Someone told me that Manraiken (萬来軒) near Daitabashi was good. The Tantanmen was average. Maybe they were talking about the non-ramen dishes.

Anyway...

Time for some shabu shabu!

Boosha!

As always, thanks mum!

Afterwards, I stopped by a new bar that opened up near Basa called Kannana Bar (環七バー).

It's a great bar and the owners are really cool. There's even ramen on the menu. I tried to order it but was refused. haha. The owner won't ever let me eat his ramen.

It's cool. I understand.

I think I'm gonna like this place...

Bari bari blah...

Day 784:

I woke up this morning determined to go to a new ramen shop called Akakokko, but they were closed for lunch. So since I already rode my bike to Koenji, I thought I'd just ride it a little further to Nogata. After debating whether to go to Nogata Hope or Hanamizuki, I figured I'd check out Hanamizuki (つけ麺 花みずき) first--the "number one" tsukemen shop in Suginami-ku.

Really? Number one?

Okay it was good...

But number one?

Sen!

Goku!

Shi!!

After a quick snack in Bunkyo-ku, Nobo picked me up in his car and we headed to the "number one" shop in all of Tokyo--Menya Itto. Unfortunately, we were too late. Although it was only 9pm and they close at 10, they had already ran out of soup. 残念。

So instead, we wound up at Bari Bari Johnny (らー麺屋 バリバリジョニー). A friend once told me about this shop and how the owner spent time in America and speaks English and how they also have a green curry ramen. I didn't get an opportunity to speak with the owner...

But I did get an opportunity to try their green curry. No competition (to basa's that is!).

And their Shio Ramen.

I don't know how to say it...so I just won't.

Yo what u doing to my friend!!

Okay, remember this next pic.

So it wasn't a good day for ramen today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better...