Full circle...

Day 750:

I lost the game of darts...but I found a place that's willing to revive my dj skills. (details to come!)

Anyway, I felt like taking a ride to Koenji for lunch. Menya Hayashimaru (麺屋 はやしまる) is famous and it's practically in every ramen magazine every year.

The Mixed Wontonmen (Shoyu) is a shinasoba that's been freakishly charged with a fat, homemade noodle.

With obvious roots connected to that shop in Hamadaya, this is an impressive bowl. It might take some getting used to seeing a shinasoba with a thick, udon-like noodle, but after a few slurps you won't want anything else.

And the wontons are very, very special.

Hey look what we got delivered from next door!

The circle is still far from being full...

Dosanko...

Day 749:

Happy Birthday bro!!!

After a quick workout I needed some protein and carbs so I settled on nearby Goukai for some Fat Meat Ramen (太肉らーめん).

Fat Meat = Fat Kakuni!

Then it was off to a local bar for some Anchovy Garlic French Fries.

And as Nobo and I were enjoying our drinks at the bar next to basa, a customer came in with a fat piece of maguro to share with all of us.

But when another customer heard that we worked at the ramen shop next door, he told us that we have to go to Dosanko (どさん子大将) down the street. I've passed by this shop plenty of times. But...I mean...it's a Dosanko. Right? Well sort of. Dosanko might be one of the oldest ramen chains in Japan but this one seems to have earned its independence.

From the outside it's a filthy, dying shop. I guess it's like that from the inside too. Anyway, the locals seem to love it here and I can('t) see why.

hey dad, didn't you have on of these too?

I got the shoyu ramen.

And Nobo got the miso.

We also ordered gyoza.

Yup, it's still a Dosanko.

Anyone up for a game of darts?

Caught in a web...

Day 748:

Whenever I feel reckless, I feel like a bowl from Gamushara. Or was it the other way around?

Regardless, I felt reckless.

Well look who decided to finally come into Bassanova, Mihoko and Regina!!! Mihoko and I go way back...high school back! And they came at the right time because today was my day to get off early.

And this is where things get a little blurry.

But a stop at pops brought things back into focus.

Then there was my encounter with this fella.

Seriously, this fella was bigger than my middle finger...

Chanpon craving...

Day 747:

After a slow day yesterday with the rain, today was the complete opposite. And during break I had a huge craving for Rai Rai Rai's chanpon that I desperately needed to fulfill.

The master behind the glass is a tireless magician who has sure enough perfected the chanpon craft.

And after one bite I'm sure you'll absolutely agree.

I want to learn how to make this someday. No not just any chanpon...THIS chanpon.

Men burger!!

It's been awhile since I made one of these...

Rain equals...

Day 746:

3 bowl day.

And it was pouring. What would normally be a busy Saturday was just a lazy day mostly filled with prep and checking out the competition.

I guess people don't like to go out and eat ramen in the rain.

Anyway, I need to start counting my bowls again.

I must be over 500 for the year by now...