Rest up...

Day 817:

For over thirty years, the owner of Chuuka Manrai (中華満来) refused to raise the price of his 200 yen bowl of ramen. He vowed to never change it for as long as he lived.

So imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw that the price had gone up to 250 yen.

Could this really mean what I think it means?

Last October, at the age of 100, the owner suddenly passed away. And his son decided to raise the price 50 yen, hoping that his father would forgive him. I think he will.

Rest in peace, Tsuda-san.

Propane profusion...

Day 753:

Brian and newly friended Sarah came in for lunch today and Brian brought with him a souvenir chanpon from Nagasaki.

Nagasaki Chanpon! haha check out Brian's blog for our reactions. (What happened to Boom? lol)

Anyway, I had a little time to explore for a bowl between shifts and found myself bicycling to Marucho (丸長豪徳寺店) in Gotokuji.

At the time I wrote: "It smells like propane but this ramen is closer to perfect than u think."

Would you like me to expand that thought? Actually, it's almost impossible for me to explain without having you sit down in this exact position. Of course a bowl slurped within good company will always make for a more interesting critique, but a bowl slurped alone without the influence of others can touch your soul deeper than you can imagine.

Just work with me on this...

Blooming...

Day 518:

With a little more time on my hands I'm able to explore the surrounding neighborhood. This is definitely the best time of the year.

But with a little less money in my pockets, I need to budget myself. This calls for Manrai and their 200 yen bowl of ramen.

Actually, I went with the large bowl for 300 yen--a steal!

Only 300 yen AND it comes with a piece of chashu NOT a radish. I could eat this bowl everyday.

Sunsets are always fun to watch no matter where I am.

Yay milk!

Shabu shabu udon!

Big day tomorrow! I've been invited to the new expanded "Tokyo Ramen Street" prior tasting event. Shichisai here I come!!