Ramen monocle...

Day 1212:

Once a year or so I venture out beyond the Bush to Ramen Nakamura.

The Miso Tonkotsu Ramen is what I usually order.

It's got a great miso-kick with plenty of seabura (back fat).

Back at work I tried to make a French Dip tsukemen.

Let's leave that one on the shelf for now while I enjoy some cheesy rice.

Yo!! It's Michael Booth!!!

It's been almost 3 years since we last saw each other, but he finally got to come back to Japan for another assignment! And in his precious spare time he came to interview me for a Monocle.com Radio piece. Look for it in a few weeks!!!

Worth a thousand words...

Day 818:

Today, I'll just let the pictures speak.

Bassanova/808 Lounge collabo beef jerky.

Made in Paradise

Basa kakuni...

Day 734:

If you've been following my ramen explorations for awhile now, you may have noticed that I like to visit the less-respected old-school shops that have been around for years. Most of the time they live up to their aging taste, but sometimes a local gem is unearthed.

With the master well into his 70's, I was hoping Ramen Tei (ら～めん亭) in Nishi-Eifuku would be one of those gems. Sadly, it was not but I can see myself enjoying a bowl here every now and then.

Back at basa I decided to mess around and make some kakuni.

Then took a break to talk business with Banana and her bf Cho-kun.

And what do you know my winged kakuni recipe turned out awesome.

Wanna try some? Shhh..it's on the secret menu.