O-Hanami!...

Day 1243:

While I was in New York, a friend told me that Kanchintei (漢珍亭) would be closing soon. I didn't believe it at first so I had to go check for myself.

It was true. They will be retiring at the end of April.

I must admit. My eyes became watery.

It's not the greatest bowl in the world...

But it's sad to see them go.

Thank you Kanchintei for 64 years of nostalgia.

And thank you for fulfilling my imaginations. お疲れ様でした。

As I wiped the tears away, Hanami was awaiting.

A beautiful sight at a most beautiful time.

I'm glad I made it back in time for this.

When you randomly ask a drunk stranger in the park to take a group picture...?

He takes a picture of himself. And that picture gets seen by the world. haha.

Good times in Yoyogi Park.

After party!!!

Way...

Too much...

Fun!

Abducted...

Day 679:

Before going into basa for 8 hours of prep on my day off, I needed to reach out to my soul.

And reach out I did, but why do I gotta top my ramen myself??

If you do go to Soulmen (SOULMEN魂麺), order this: Tori Paitan Shio Ramen with thin noodles.

In the park, I took a picture of the full moon (waning gibbous to be exact) and noticed a little blue dot below it.

Then I took another picture and noticed that the blue dot moved.

And it moved again.

And again!

The 'energy' was among us.

And I was forced to eat ramen again.

Dokkan (背脂煮干濃厚醤油 どっかん)!!! aka: Gamushara at night.

Seabura Niboshi Noukou Shoyu Ramen.

Wow!

What an awesome mess!

Gochisousamadesu!

どっかん！！

Champ-on...

Day 672:

Stepping into Rai Rai Rai (来来来) in Sancha felt like stepping into...

Well...just a dirty old ramen shop...

That serves a dirty effin' good Champon!

Seriously, this Tori Champon is a champion. The vegetables are so fresh and the chicken just pops with juiciness.

The champon-specific noodles are also thick and poppin'. This is one shop I know my mom will enjoy.

Picnic in the park!!

My friend Banana invited me to hang out with some of her friends in Yoyogi Park. And since this was mainly a place to make new friends, I called up some of my friends to join in on the fun. Next thing you know, the fb friend requests were clogging the inbox. haha.

After a night of fun in the park and even getting harassed by the cops, Brian wanted to check out this Okinawan restaurant by his new pad.

Look! (No not that head coming out of my armpit.)

Umibudou!!

Man do I miss Okinawa.

Brian says to look below.

Souki Soba!!

Hiroshi was getting a little too excited. Or was it because the soba tasted like $#!*. Anyway, I can't remember.

Before we left, Banana had to get some Blue Seal.

And Hiroshi needed to get out of the bright lights.

Awesome night guys! Next week. Same time, same place?

The night was so good, I vaguely remember buying a quarter pounder with cheese on my way home. But I did...