Da cafe...

Day 1262:

Day 3 here we go.

I thought you'd want a closeup.

I got a special visit today so it was time for a special lunch at the most popular booth--DaCafe.

Amazing pancakes!

Tasty garlic shrimp.

Thank you for the special visit!

Sweet sogo...

Day 1261:

Day 2 here we go.

Being that this is my third year, it's like riding a bicycle. Have you seen my tenkuu otoshi? haha.

For lunch I stopped by the Chibakiya (ちばき屋横浜ポルタ店) branch in Porta Yokohama station.

Good ole wontonmen.

I wouldn't mind seeing this chain in the states.

Anyway, this is what happens when you become friends with the girls in the sweets booth.

And then the girls in the other sweets booth. haha.

Okay, enough with the sweets.

Time for some teba!

Yokohama SOGO 2013...

Day 1260:

For the third year in a row, I'll be helping out at the Yokohama SOGO gourmet fair for Nakamuraya.

This year we'll be serving along side Iida Shoten (飯田商店).

And this year's special ramen limited to 30 servings per day will be this Tokusei Shio Paitan. It doesn't look very pretty here but it's dam good when it's all dressed up!

Iida Shoten's Shoyu Ramen isn't bad either.

But if you want something that'll punch you in the face, the Tan Tan Men (Ｗａｋｉｙａ流辣香担々麺) from Turandot will definitely leave a contusion.

And these wontons dipped in a creamy sesame sauce will help you lick the wounds.

For lunch I ventured out to Hamatora (麺場 浜虎) on the north side of Yokohama Station.

I thought I had ordered the regular shoyu ramen but I guess I pushed the button for the Black Bean Natto Ramen. lol. My mistake. I won't be doing that again. haha.

Sweets!! They just keep coming!

And now for the real sweets. These teba-saki are bomb!

See you tomorrow! Unlike last year, I'll be helping out all week!

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.

Nakamuraya re-reunion...

Day 1129:

Ebina is far! haha. I still can't believe I used to commute here everyday.

Anyway, today I came to visit my friends.

And try the new Ginger Shio Ramen (生姜塩らーめん).

Ginger is perfect for Winter. It really warms you up.

And these Tori Dango's were like chicken meatballs!

One bowl down. I think I still have time for another.

I couldn't leave without sippin' on some shoyu.

Hirauchi-style.

Okay, now I'm full.

Thanks to the awesome Nakamuraya crew! Looking good, as always!

Looking forward to that collabo we've been always talking about...

Nakamuraya reunion...

Day 945:

It's been over a year...

And we still remain good friends!!

Okazaki...

Day 906:

An old friend would probably appreciate this post. With that said, Ramen Okazaki (らーめん屋 OKAZAKI) in Shibuya has been around since 2002, but they moved from Sakurajosui in 2008. Anyhow, that's useless information.

I ordered the Shoyu Ramen, which is a chicken and pork based soup blended with konbu, various vegetables, bonito, and two types of niboshi along with a special shoyu tare.

With one sip, I instantly became a fan. Interestingly, this ramen tasted like Kohryu (during its good days).

After work, it was time for some midnight fun!

Martin!!

Ahhhh...

Yup, for one night only you could eat Nakamuraya's famed shio ramen right down the street from basa. ごちそう様！