If only everyday were like this...

Day 231:

As I walked my friend to the train station, the new zaku-zaku rayu burger from Mos Burger caught both of our eyes and we just had to try one. As much as I miss a good burger from the States, I will miss Mos just as much when I go back. If you have yet to try this burger, go get one now before it's gone.

Then after realizing that I'd left my bike in shimo the night before, I decided to stop by Taisho to say hello to pops. And that's when I surprisingly ran into Uno-san from the 808 Lounge slurping on this hiyashi chuuka.

I ordered the miso ramen, which was surprisingly better than I expected.

I wasn't in the mood to die, but the garlic shichimi goes great with the miso. Thanks pops!

And then it was time to chill at my new fave cafe.

Yeah, if you haven't noticed, I like to chill...

A change of pace...

Day 230:

Whenever I visit a ramen shop, I hardly ever order a non-ramen meal. But after hearing from a reader that the tonkatsu from The Bush is 'really good', I was intrigued.

I was in the mood for some katsudon. Wow, she was right! The katsu IS really good.

But ramen is still my thing and it always will be.

After work, we went singing. There's nothing like a little karaoke after a long day of...

Imagine...

Day 229:

Imagine it was 1949 and you were walking along the banks of the Zenpukuji river from Honancho to Ogikubo in search of a ramen shop named after a strange man.

Imagine that you found it and the strange man also had a strange wife.

Imagine a bowl that you could gladly eat everyday regardless of your mood or the weather.

Imagine it was the best shoyu ramen you've ever had. It was close...

Imagine a world where emptiness is fabulous.

Imagine a peaceful walk through one of the coolest parks in all of Tokyo.

Imagine being watched...

Imagine...

Just imagine....

The strange ramen phenomenon...

Day 228:

There's something weird about Eifukucho Taishoken's ramen. I don't particularly like it that much, but I find myself craving it often. Perhaps it's the fishy smell they pump into the air or the giant bowl that seems to provide an overwhelming feeling of comfort.

Nevertheless, I needed this today. For once, I took my time slurping this monster of a bowl. It's 普通に美味い (ordinarily delicious)!

Back at work, like everyone else in Japan, we had our eyes glued to the Japan vs. Nederlands soccer match. Needless to say, our night was slow. To give you an idea of what it was like, we only had a handful of customers come through during the entire match.

Oh yeah, we finished another batch of green curry paste today. You know what that means!

In the wee hours of the morning after we closed shop, some of us headed over to the music studio to jam. Could there be a Bassanova rock band in the works?

Perhaps someday we'll be opening for Blackmarket...

A devilish night...

Day 227:

On a rainy Friday night, after almost being crushed in the train during rush hour when someone pulled the emergency brake, I finally made it out to Kikanbo (カラシビ味噌らー麺 鬼金棒) in Kanda to say hello to Sugimoto-san.

If you don't remember, Sugimoto-san used to work at Bassanova way back when I first became a regular. As of tomorrow, he will be moving on to a different ramen shop so I wanted to come check out Kikanbo while he was still there.

Kikanbo is known for their spicy, mouth-numbing miso ramen. You can even choose the levels for each one. Be careful though, my tongue tingled for a good hour after eating this. AND I only chose the regular levels for both spiciness and numbness.

Wow! I bet I know who would like this ramen. The noodles look familiar.

I don't think I can eat this everyday. Maybe once a year would do. Not that it tasted bad, it's just that intense. Anyway, good luck at the next shop Sugimoto-san!

Then it was time to chill with the fellas at Alps in Shinjuku where the beers are only 150yen.

And where the entertainment of drunk college kids is always free. There must be something cool about sticking things up your nose here. I'm not sure I understand why, but it's hilarious.

What?! U.S. down 2-0! I can't watch. Let's go grab a bowl.

A new branch of Ichiran opened in Shinjuku.

And Brian was trying to figure out the best way to wipe his you-know-what using a single sheet from every roll. I'm not sure what the logic is behind all the rolls, but Ichiran is an unusual place.

Where you can enjoy a bowl in complete solitude. Dude, quit peeping over at my bowl!

Here's a behind the scenes look at the kitchen.

Ichiran is good. But none of their branches come close to the main branch in Hakata.

But it serves it's purpose. As my boy Darin says, "Ichiran is the McD of ramen!"

I'd have to agree.

Why is it that we must always end our nights here?

I guess cuz this is home...