Guts!! for Fukushima...

Day 780:

With Boom gone for the next week, it's gonna be busy. Since I had to start prepping earlier than normal, I decided to stop by Kagetsu and try the new limited edition Kitakata Ramen produced by Osaki-san, the most admired man of ramen.

It's all for a good cause so I won't be too harsh, but as far as taste is concerned, is this really the best they could do?

Well, after all it is Kagetsu.

Eve, eve...

TV time!!...

Day 779:

Enjoy!

Since Boom will be leaving for two weeks starting tomorrow, he let me have the night off. Thanks Boom!

Monja!

When in Tsukushima, must have Tsukishima Rock.

Tsukishima Rock

After unexpectedly running into some old friends and joining them for more monja, I ended up missing last train. A taxi ride home from Tsukishima would have been brutal, but thanks to my awesome friend Hiroshi, I was able to get back without spending a dime. Thanks Hiroshi!! Drinks on me tonight!

Hangin' with Hiroshi in Hatagaya is like walking around with the president.

He knows everyone.

And everyone knows him...

It's Wednesday...

Day 778:

It's Wednesday.

Miso Moyashi Ramen at Ramen Nakamura

The day after Tuesday.

The noodles were too soft this time

The day before Thursday.

Tsukesoba

Tomorrow is Thursday!!! Ramen Walker TV!!!

Jackpot...

Day 777:

A couple weeks ago, I read a comment from Tom saying that he'll be starting his new job at Nagi  (特級中華そば 凪西新宿店) in Nishi-Shinjuku. And then just the other day he came into basa to pay me a visit.

So I repaid the favor. Hey everyone, meet Tom! Mad props! Way to live the dream!!

Interestingly enough, I had never been to this branch of Nagi before. And you know what? I actually like this one the best.

The niboshi here is not as strong as Golden Gai and  it's clearly my type of shoyu ramen. Thanks Tom!

What day is it again?

Oh right, Taco Tuesday!!!

Tequila Tuesday!!!

Salud!!!

More???!!!

No more!!!

Bad Santaroshi!

And his little helper.

A night like this could only end one way...

Thank you.

And goodnight...

Basa bounenkai 2011!...

Day 776:

It's that time again. But first, let's go eat some ramen.

Banana was heading back to NY today so I wanted to meet her for lunch before she left. Without much time and without much thought we hopped into a local chuuka shop cuz their plastic ramen in the window looked pretty darn good.

You won't find shops like Shu-En (秀苑) listed in the ramen database, but it's shops like these that actually made ramen what it is today. And I give them all much respect.

Shu-En's most popular ramen is the Sanmaa-men (サンマー麺).

Banana approves.

As do I. Ain't it beautiful...

Old school toy shop!

I can't believe I woke up so early. Especially since I know it's gonna be one of those nights.

After prepping basa for the night, I went to take care of some biz in bunkyo-ku.

Then grabbed another bowl at Gyorai (魚雷) in Kasuga. The last time I was here was almost two years ago when it first opened.

It tasted the same, maybe even a little better.

The katsuobushi flavor is intense, in a good way. And I swear they put some in the noodles.

Egg shot!

Party time!!!

It just so happened that our bounenkai coincided with Katsu's one-year anniversary party. And it was a lot tamer than last year...our bounenkai that is. But Katsu's party was crazy!

From what I remember...