Mitsuwa Hokkaido Fair 2008

Ramen is back at Mitsuwa in this weekend's Hokkaido Fair! (Actually, it starts on Thursday)

Here is the lineup:

Asameshi Maeda Honpo: Shoyu Ramen
9/11(Thu) - 9/14(Sun) Costa Mesa Store
9/18(Thu) - 9/21(Sun) New Jersey Store

Sumire: Miso Ramen & Miso Butter Corn Ramen
9/11(Thu) - 9/14(Sun) Torrance Store
9/18(Thu) - 9/21(Sun) Chicago Store

Santouka: Shio Ramen
9/18(Thu) - 9/21(Sun) San Jose Store


Other non-ramen specialties include...

Bake De Arle: Cream Puffs and Ice Cream
9/11(Thu) - 9/14(Sun) Torrance, Costa Mesa Stores (Cream Puffs, Ice Cream)
9/18(Thu) - 9/21(Sun) New Jersey Store(Ice Cream, Yuki Roll)
9/18(Thu) - 9/21(Sun) Chicago Store(Ice Cream)

Pullman Bakery: Curry Pan
9/11(Thu) - 9/14(Sun) Torrance, Costa Mesa Stores
9/18(Thu) - 9/21(Sun) New Jersey Store

And more...

See you there!

Ramen Kagetsu 嵐 - Narita Airport (Day 13)

The sound of airport ramen may make you cringe, but not in Japan! Even though there's hundreds of Ramen Kagetsu's located all over Tokyo in which I'll never step foot in, trying one at the airport is a different story. It's a great way to say sayonara to an awesome trip!


Genkotsu Ramen: This shoyu-tonkotsu soup was surprisingly good and had a nice, rich flavor that doesn't weigh you down. The toppings (chashu, egg, menma, negi, nori) were about what I would expect from a chain--full of preservatives. The curly noodles were also pretty decent for fast-food food-court ramen.


I can't believe this trip has already come to an end. I've been averaging some record hits in the past couple of weeks so thank you all for joining me on this little journey. I hope I was able to give you some good ideas for your next trip. If you're the adventurous type, I highly recommend the Fujisan climb...but make sure to go prepared!

By the way, I did end up going to Bassanova again (for the 3rd time) last night. I'll miss that place the most.

Tsukumo Ramen Ebisu Honten 東京都渋谷区広尾 - Tokyo, Japan (Day 12)

Another reason that dreams do come true, Tsukumo Ramen in Ebisu was worth the trek on my last full day in Tokyo. Did I ever mention that Tokyo is the greatest city in the world for ramen? The best ramen from all around the country somehow makes it to Tokyo and there's no need to leave. I'll surely miss this place!


Sometimes the best stuff is the free stuff. One thing I've noticed with the tonkotsu ramen-ya's is that they have a lot of free stuff--great stuff.


Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen: A tonkotsu ramen with a special shoyu sauce drizzled on top, this ramen was definitely worth the trek. I never thought a shoyu flavor could be so creamy. The toppings (chashu, menma, nori, negi) could have been better, but this is my last day and I'm not going to complain a bit. The noodles were typically thin and delicious. Tsukumo also serves a cheese ramen that I've heard is pretty good, but it'll have to wait.


So I've been debating on whether to pack or visit Bassanova one more time. It's getting late, but then again Bassanova is open late (3am). Maybe I'll pack and then go. Who needs to sleep tonight anyway. We'll see...

Ramen Jiro Mita Honten 東京都港区三田 - Tokyo, Japan (Day 11)

Perfection is a place least visited, if at all, for anyone in search of that bowl, but according to one of LA's most renowned ramen blogger's, he's found it. And after waiting in that same line for almost an hour, I nearly found it too. What I mean is, Ramen Jiro in Mita is probably some of the best and most authentic ramen around, but I just had a horrible time leading up to it. I just don't think I was in the mood to fully enjoy it. No matter, I still wrestled the pig with incredible tenacity.


It finally stopped raining today and the mosquitos were out in full force. I must have been sucked a total of 8 times while standing in this long line. Ramen Jiro is a tiny triangular ramen-ya that can be very entertaining to someone like me or purely disgusting to others. The soup is rigorously stirred with a block of wood that resembles the leg of my dining table and pork fat literally flies everywhere. My clothes afterwards were as if I'd wrestled a pig to the death...I'm still not sure if I won.


ぶた入り Ramen: Ramen with pork is more like ramen with chashu and a huge pile of cabbage and moyashi. There's no napkins and no renge (spoon). Just you and this gigantic bowl. If you desire, they will also pile on the garlic. This geniune bowl of ramen is made with a soul that has been around for a long time. Even though I fasted for breakfast, I still had trouble finishing it, and not to mention the train ride home.


The noodles are incredibly fresh and honest. The most amazing part was the way that they're cooked. The tensho continually adds noodles to a huge vat of boiling water and is able to discern which ones have been cooked to the desired texture. It's pretty amazing if you ask me.


Perfect or not, this ramen kicked my butt! Perhaps I would enjoy it more under different circumstances, but it was still pretty damn good.

Bassanova (The Return) 東京都世田谷区羽根木 - Tokyo, Japan (Day 10)

It's official, Bassanova is now my favorite ramen-ya in Tokyo and so far the only place I've gone to more than once on this trip. If you happen to be in the neighborhood or living somewhere on the planet Earth for that matter, I recommend that you come to Bassanova. You won't be disappointed!

豚濁和出汁肉 Soba: A closer experience with the tondaku wadashi soba containing extra meat has led me to believe that an entirely new generation of ramen is emerging. This half tonkotsu, half seafood blend of soup is pure ramen fusion ecstasy, especially after a night filled with drunken madness. The toppings (thick-cut menma, ham-like grilled chashu, negi, nori) were so good that my keyboard is now soaked with drool. The noodles were also good, but I think I'll ask for the thicker cut next time.


Take one look at the pic below and dare to tell me you don't want to try it.


Tom Yum Soba: Another Thai-influenced ramen at Bassanova is the tom yum soba. If you like tom yum soup then you'll love this ramen. To quote my brother, "Bassanova rocks!"