Sho time...

Day 1135:

At the other night's Ramen Bounenkai I sat at the same table as Menya Sho's top chef, Nozomi Oohashi.

So I paid him a visit just to say hi.

The special ramen of the week was this Tan Tan Men made with a miso broth.

This guy is a ramen genious.

Hopefully someday we'll get to exchange ideas.

And create even more amazing ramen.

Speaking of amazing, this Cheese Cream Cup Noodle only sounds like it could be.

But my friends back home wanted me to let them know what it tasted like. So here goes...

Yeah, it kinda tasted like plastic. But it wasn't that bad. Happy 12/12/12!!

A box of ramen...

Day 914:

As we were getting ready to open shop, the mailman appeared with a box...a box of ramen!...from Hiroshima!!

I went straight for the Onomichi-style ramen.

Though it was nothing like eating at Shukaen...

 ...or Tsutafuji...

...it still brought back the memories.

But I needed a cheeseburger to wash it down. haha.

The cali connection was back!

Btw, I wonder who sent us that box...

Hanamichi...

Day 852:

After surviving the lunch shift I was in the mood for some miso ramen.

And Hanamichi (味噌麺処 花道) in Nogata was just what I was looking for.

To be exact, I was craving for a good miso tsukemen.

And Hanamichi came through.

After work I enjoyed a bowl of Tonkotsu Scallop Niboshi instant ramen from Setagaya X Muteppo.

Keyword here: "enjoyed."

It's been awhile since I've tasted something this good from a cup.

Instant blah...

Day 598:

With the heat, things are definitely starting to slow down. Or maybe it's my medication. Whatever it is, I feel lazy. Luckily, I only had to work the lunch shift today and got to eat some garlic rice.

With the usual shio ramen.

Speaking of lazy, I didn't want to leave my house once I got home so I opened the Toyama Black instant ramen that I had been saving.

Unlike traditional instant noodles, these are non-fried.

Add hot water and wait 4 minutes...

And you get a bowl of instant blah that tastes nothing like the real Toyama Black.

The soup is way too peppery, but the noodles were...well...they were non-fried.

Did I just say peppery?

Bonus time...

Day 563:

Work is tough enough by itself, but lately it's been the breaks that have been even tougher. Why do I have to be here when she is there? My girlfriend has postponed her trip to France until Tuesday and I'm happy about the extra time I get to spend with her, but not at the cost of seeing her suffer.

Sometimes, even the ramen begins to taste different.

Speaking of different, we tried some different recipes for summer.

Hiyashi (cold) Tsukemen. I'll let you know when they hit the menu.

On my way home, my girl was craving KFC.

And then some ramen. (Remember Misen? Tastes just like the original.)

I'd say she's getting better.

4...

And we're back...

Day 431:

Bassanova is now open for 2011! And of course the first thing I wanted to eat had to be the green curry. Ahhh how I missed thee!

Ooohh yes!

Shuga also brought some nama ramen from near his hometown so you know I had to give that a try too.

This one was from the town of Sano.

I always try to mimic the picture on the box using the toppings I have on hand. So what do you think? If I only I had some naruto.

This bowl was a refreshingly light shoyu ramen. The chicken oil tasted superb and the handmade noodles were very Sano-like.

Anyway, we'll be waiting for you at Bassanova!!

Chocolate Ramen?

Day 98:

You're kidding, right? Nope. It appears that Menya Musashi has teamed up with Lotte's Ghana brand of chocolates and created Miso Ghana 2010 especially for the Valentine season. You can get the real thing at various Musashi locations around Tokyo (I think), but they only serve 20 bowls per day starting at 2pm. I came across the instant version a few days ago while meandering through the local Sunkus and was intrigued. So tonight after work, I finally tried it.

It still amazes me how far instant ramen has come in this country. I wonder when they'll start shipping these to the States...

It's funny to see how the chocolate chips are mixed in with the dried stuff like mushrooms and menma. So after you empty the red packet above on top of the noodles seen below, just add hot water, place the lid back on, and wait 5 minutes. The soup packet and the toppings are placed upon the lid to make them warm.

And there you have it, chocolate miso ramen...

It was actually quite good. The spiciness of the miso was brilliantly neutralized by the sweet creaminess of the chocolate. Wow...

The noodles were surprisingly good for an instant ramen too. I'll probably never buy this again just cuz I'd rather eat a real bowl than an instant one, but I encourage you to give it a try sometime. You'll be surprised.

It makes me want to go slurp the real thing now.

Instantized Ramen...

Day 72:

It's pretty amazing how far along instant ramen has come. I got hungry on my way home from work tonight and decided to pick up the instant version of Keisuke's Shrimp Ramen. I have yet to visit the actual shop in Baba, but it's next on my list.


Just add water and wait 4 minutes...


Once again, it's amazing how far instant ramen has come. Consider this late night craving satisfied.


Afterward, I snacked on some mayo cheese potato pringles. Yup, from pizza to hot dogs to pringles the Japanese love mayo and will put it on anything. Although I have yet to see it on ramen...please don't.


There will be a new special ramen on the menu at Ivan Ramen tomorrow. I'll post more info later, but feel free to come in and check it out!