Mikawaya Noodle Factory...

Day 1242:

Kenshiro flew into Tokyo last night just so we could go here...

The new Mikawaya Seimen noodle factory. And just like the last time, the only pictures I could take were in the men's restroom. haha. Anyway, this factory is amazing. Amazing!

After a tour and an inspiring meeting with the Mikawaya boss, he took us to Bario (らーめん バリ男 吉祥寺店) in Kichijoji.

"Ramen of the man, by the man, for the man. (Ladies also welcome)"

Bario is another shop that they call Jiro-kei or Jiro-inspired.

It's a beauty.

And for those of you who live in LA, the soon-to-be open Tsujita Annex will feature a ramen based on this one.

A man always finishes the entire bowl. hahah.

The rest of the day was spent at Nakamuraya...

in Ebina...

And after a quick meetup with Jiraigen Boss...

It was back to Bassanova so Kenshiro could sample our noodles.

And then we partied.

Xmas eve...

Day 1147:

Still never understood the whole Japanese obsession behind KFC and Xmas. haha.

Xmas eve dinner was actually at a yakiniku shop in Kichijoji, but that wasn't very fulfilling so ramen was in order.

At Harukiya in Kichijoji.

For some reason, the ramen here tastes better than the honten.

And the noodles are a bit chewier too.

I like.

This is what I'll leave out for Santa.

Have a safe and merry xmas everyone!!

Family day...

Day 790:

Although I yearn to be with my family and friends back home, I'm also blessed to have relatives here in Tokyo to spend the holidays with. I almost thought I wouldn't be able to eat osechi this year, but my aunt and uncle didn't let that happen. Arigato!

Lasagna!! My aunts lasagna made me feel like I was at home.

But, of course the day wouldn't be complete without some ramen.

With many shops still closed for the new year, Bubuka (ぶぶか 吉祥寺店) was not.

Once again I skipped the abura soba and stuck with the Tonkotsu Ramen.

Yeah it's been a bit lonely, but at least I still have my ramen.

A heller of a day...

Day 675:

Business meetings are fun, especially when they involve family.

But why do we always end up eating noodles? ahaha.

After lunch I went home to catch up on some sleep, but then woke up with a mad craving for mabo spice, aka Mabo Ramen.

Then it was off to dinner to meet a longtime fan...

Who has quickly become a lifetime friend.

Thanks Richard!! It was an awesome night!

Old grand dad here agrees.

As do Hiroshi and Banana.

Honestly, I can't thank you enough. I've always looked forward to seeing your comments come through. Especially during those difficult times. Next time, we gotta kick it in 'upper belly'!!

One two three...

Day 652:

After spending the morning with family in Kichijoji, it was time to have my first bowl of the day. Hifumi (一二三) has long been on my radar because it's practically in every ramen magazine I've ever read, but it just never was a priority until today.

Open since 1987, the infamous Hifumi Soba is a remarkably clean and refreshing bowl that is carefully prepared with only the best ingredients, but many who have tried it think that it shouldn't necessarily be classified as ramen. Sure the name contains soba, but soba is not really soba unless it's found at a soba shop and since Hifumi is a ramen shop soba in this case means soba ramen and not soba soba. So...bah! I guess one should really ask, is Hifumi really a ramen shop?

The soup, as plain as it is, is incredible. The noodles, which contain soba flour, is basically soba. But it's ramen...that looks like soba...that smells like ramen...that tastes like soramenba. Anyway, that was bowl one.

In the afternoon, I took my old commute down to Ebina to meet up with the Nakamuraya crew. A lot seems to have changed since I left (What? Ramen California closed?), but I won't get into it now. It's time for some guts!

Suishoen (酔笑苑) in Atsugi is a famous yakiniku shop that's been around since 1965. Our reserved room was down this narrow alley and up the stairs in the back.

Aw yeah, horumon!

I didn't ask what these were, I just ate them while chugging my beer.

And yes, we grilled everything before eating.

Good times!

Yes! They also have ramen! It was simple and straight out of 1965. haha. Anyway, that was bowl number two.

?????

After a nice walk in the hot, humid, sticky, Atsugi heat, checking out three or four famous ramen shops that were all on vacation, we finally settled on Honmarutei (厚木本丸亭).

Widely known as Nakamuraya's closest rival, Honmarutei also specializes in a Tanrei Shio Ramen.

The soup is primarily chicken (I couldn't taste much pork, if any at all) and worked well at settling my guts. The chashu wasn't as tender as I thought it would be and the noodles, imo, didn't match well with the soup's lightness.

Nakamuraya's rival? Pshh... Anyway, that was bowl number three.

Pleasureful potage...

Day 604:

I couldn't be more pleased with how today went. It began with an innocent pasta lunch in Kichijoji with relatives.

The focaccia was awesome!

The chicken tataki was great.

But the pasta? Let's just say I was in good company.

After lunch I rode my bike along the Kanda river and came across this cool looking bird. You can't really tell from the picture, but this bird was beautiful.

Anyway, I found a real hidden gem near Nakano-Shimbashi station. Just over a year ago, the "next" ramen trend was declared as potage ramen. Uzen (うぜん) in Honcho got it's share of the fame, but seems to have since fizzled out of the spotlight.

I came here to try one thing and one thing only...Torishio Potage Tsukemen.

Wow! This is not your traditional tsukemen, but I like it! Creamy without being too milky, flavorful without being too salty, and dreamy without being too sleepy. It had a very nostalgic feel to it too. I can't pinpoint it but it felt like it invoked a memory of a flavor from my childhood. This is definitely something that I will have to try again.

Have I mentioned that it's rainy season?

Can't wait to visit home...