Ramen Dojo...

It was an honor to help my mentor teach at the Ramen Dojo (食の道場) in Chiba today.

It wasn't my first time, if you recall, and even though I was there to help teach, I was eager to learn something new.

Jiraigen Boss.

皆さん頑張りましょう！

And then a storm hit. I was lucky enough to make it back to Saitama in time for...

Shabu-shabu!!!

But it was a crazy drive home.

The Dojo...

Day 1256:

Somewhere out in Chiba, there is a ramen school. But it's not just any ramen school. It's where the best of the best share their fabled ramen secrets.

食の道場。

Sponsored by the bowl-cut ramen geek himself, Ishigami-san, the Ramen Dojo consists of a 15-day course taught by twelve master ramen chefs.

And today I got to tag along with Jiraigen Boss as his assistant.

And although I had to teach some of my secrets, I learned a whole lot more in return.

Lunch break!

Miso Curry Ramen from Junki (北海とんこつら～めん純輝八千代店).

Back to school.

Class dismissed!

Afterwards we stopped by Tenunwariniari (背脂野菜ドカ盛りラーメン天運我に有り八千代店) a.k.a. the shop formerly known as Jimmy for a taste test.

And to see if Jiraigen Boss approves.

Approved!

Then Jiraigen Boss took me to one of his favorite shops in Chiba.

Kaikudo (海空土).

It's like ET but not ET.

ニボニボ系！

I think I've earned my ramen black-belt for the day...

Yukichi...

Day 1222:

The best part of this whole ramen dream...is seeing my friends succeed. Mendokoro Yukichi (麺処 ゆきち) is Kurai-san's new shop in Chiba.

Please please check it out! 3/15 grand open!!

If anyone really deserves to succeed, it's Kurai-san. He may even love ramen more than me.

For now, there are three ramen on the menu.

One shio ramen and two types of shoyu ramen.

I started with two.

A young master at work.

Shio Ramen.

Having not tried this last week I really wasn't sure what to expect. Upon first sip, I was caught off guard. Lemon? Yup, this chicken and fish based soup is infused with a hint of lemon. But it's not just a typical lemon ramen. The blend of oils and salts give it a refreshing depth.

Shoyu Ramen A.

I tried this one last week and wasn't to keen on it. But after I taught him some new techniques the other day, he actually took my advice and it turned out 10 times better.

Hmm...room for one more? Of course!

Shoyu Ramen B.

This one still impressed me the most. Tomato-infused-shoyu if fantastic!

Go Ramen! Go Kurai-san!!! お互い頑張ろ！！！

By the way, Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!