Year-end gifts (歳暮)

Day 68:

Seibo (歳暮) are year-end gifts that people send each other as a custom in Japan. We've received a lot at Ivan Ramen but this one has to be the best so far.


I was still pretty sick today and I started to lose my voice towards the end of work. My body feels a bit better, but I'm still better off not picking up one of these cans of beer. Speaking of beer, Jay2Dee2 stopped by Ivan's today to say hello and enjoy a good bowl. He writes a blog called Odakyu Beacon which is about my two favorite things--ramen and beer! Check it out when you get a chance.

The girls are back!

Day 67:

I was more sick today than yesterday and could barely stay on my feet by the time we closed up shop, but when I got home I got to see these smiling faces and they brightened up my night in a flash. It's been over three weeks since I saw them last. Welcome home girls. And bro and sis-in-law too.


I also walked in to my first home-cooked meal in what seems like ages. My sis-in-law cooked this delicious chanko nabe. Mmm いただきま～す。


ごちそうさまでした！

Back to...

Day 66:

Bassanova!! A week without Bassanova felt like a year. I'm glad they're back open! I had a runny nose all day, which made work feel like a struggle so I really, really needed some comfort. Today I ordered the regular tsukemen with extra meat.


If this doesn't make you drool then you are not human.


I tasted lime in the tsukedare. This is actually some pretty amazing s***! I mean, the tonkotsu and fish blend is eye-opening to say the least. Don't forget to ask for soup wari when you finish the noodles!


My timing could not have been better. Shortly after I received my tsukemen they ended up running out of soup.


I can sleep peacefully now. Goodnight.

Go Clips!!

Day 65:

I just got home from work to learn that the Clippers beat the Lakers. Sweet! Yes, if you haven't heard I am a huge Clippers fan.

Anyway, nothing else really happened today. Work wasn't too busy but it was still fun to get back into the groove of things. Ivan made us a new prototype ramen that was nice and creamy. Hopefully after a few more tests it'll make the "specials" menu. And since I promised at least one pic a day, here is where I park my bike everyday.


Speaking of clips, I need a haircut.

Back to work for the new year...

Day 64:

Ivan Ramen will be back open tomorrow, so today was spent prepping everything for the upcoming week. It was good to be back, but I'm not gonna lie...I probably could have used another day.

Anyhow, I often walk through Okinawa Town on my way home and I wanted to share with you these cool chalk drawings that I sometimes see in front of the market. I'm not sure who draws them but the kids must love it. Shimajiro!


This was the one from last week. Pretty cool, huh?


Big day tomorrow so I'm gonna rest now. The first day of work last year holds the current record for customers on a weekday. Let's see if we can break it!