Dassara surprise...

Day 1290:

The best part of going back home...

to Tokyo...

is getting re-acclimated to my favorite bowls of ramen.

And the best part about going back this time...

was surprising a ramen comrade.

No not Oohashi-san (he's always surprised), but Josh from Dassara in Brooklyn!!

Welcome to Japan Josh!

Shio Ramen

Hope you enjoyed Menya Sho.

Shoyu Ramen

A big thanks to Oohashi-san too!

And now...time for the GCS. He was blown away.

And I was blown away on my way home.

It really hit me that DT was over forever...

A favorite bowl...

Day 947:

When someone asks me to take them to eat my favorite bowl of ramen in Tokyo I always hesitate. Not because it's a difficult thing to do, but because I have so many favorite bowls. And although many of them are the best I've ever had, the amateur slurper still may not understand.

One bowl that is sure not to disappoint (although I wish they were still in Toritsukasei) is a bowl of shoyu ramen from Menya Shichisai.

And since we were in the neighborhood, a second bowl at Rokurinsha Tokyo (六厘舎TOKYO) was in order.

Sorry no pictures please! haha.

Believe it or not, this is the first time I've ever eaten Rokurinsha, aside from the take-home-pack.

I wish the Osaki honten was still open!

After all that, I still ate a bowl of GCS. (Like our new bowls?)

And had dinner with the president!

Okay, now I'm stuffed.

Prior Tasting Event...

Day 519:

While I was in France, I received an email invitation from an agency organizing a "prior tasting event" for the newly expanded Tokyo Ramen Street in First Avenue Tokyo Station. (If you're not familiar with the Tokyo Ramen Street, what originally started out as four shops has now expanded to eight!) Not knowing if I could attend because of the new job, I signed up anyway. Luckily, everything worked out.

I was actually completely surprised that I got this invite. It turns out that Koda-san, our representative from the Agile Media Network, found us just by searching google. Sweet!

And by 'us' I mean me, Brian, and Hiroshi. Alright, let me fill you in on the rules. Rule #1: Eat as much FREE ramen as you can. Rule #2: Blog about it. Ready...set...GO!

Maejima-san!! Takeda-san!! 行ってきます！

First up, Shichisai. No introduction needed here. Shichisai will always be in my top 5.

Kitakata Ramen.

Looking back on this day, I should have just stayed here the entire time eating bowl after bowl.

I'm really digging the layout of the new ramen street. There are windows to everything.

Second up (if I can say 'first up' why can't I say second up?) was Ikaruga. I've never been to their original shop, but I'll get around to it someday.

Tokyo Eki Ramen.

Paparamenzzi!!

A little sour.

Three Cheese Mazesoba.

With raw egg.

Mmm...but I need more cheese!

Ebi Rayu Tsukemen.

A nice spicy kick...in the mouth.

Third up was Honda.

The news crews and idols were out in full force.

Tokusei Shio Ramen.

Wasaaaabi!

Shoyu Ramen.

This reminded me of my pain in my shoulder. Yeah, it still bothers me.

Tokusei Miso Tsukemen. The signature dish at this shop.

Recommended!

Fourth up, Junk Garage.

Junk "in the trunk" Garage.

I was about to explode, but sometimes you need to do what you need to do.

Especially in the presence of ramen gods.

Okay...get ready for the next boom...Maze Tsuke Soba.

Maze.

Maze.

Tsuke.

Tsuke.

Hello models.

What a day! I'm glad we survived. haha. FYI, Keisuke has changed his ramen from shrimp-base to crab-base. I regret not being able to try it since I was so full, but I'll be back. Also, I received a call while I was at this event informing me of my start date for the new job. It starts tomorrow!!