Cleaning day...

Day 275:

Believe it or not, I got a flat tire. But that's okay, cuz on my way to get it fixed I got to see my nieces. I can't believe how fast they're growing up.

Then it was off to get some mabo ramen before work. You might think I'm weird, but I enjoy eating a hot bowl of ramen in this hot ass Tokyo weather, even though it makes me profusely sweat.

Now here's a shot you don't see everyday. Yes, it was my turn to sweep the hall.

After work, Shuga and I had a talk about the future of Bassanova. We could do this, I told him. We could do this with just the two of us. We are the future...

The lucky one...

Day 274:

Even with my recent string of bad luck, I feel like I've been pretty lucky overall. So after an intense workout at the gym, I thought I'd head on back to Ichifuku (一福), a.k.a. Lucky One, in hopes of continuing my lucky streak and preventing the bad.

I've said before that they're signature Irori Ramen (囲炉裏麺) is solid and I'll say it again. It's solid!

I feel like my list of favorite ramen shops in Tokyo is finally starting to come together. Ichifuku would definitely be top 5 and I would highly recommend this ramen for you to try.

Trust me, it's good. And the staff here is fantastic! As I got up to leave, the old-lady-ramen-chef sincerely thanked me for finishing the entire bowl. I guess I can now forgive her for not telling me what those crunchy things were. haha.

Back at Bassanova, I decided to change things up and go with the Tondaku Garlic Soba.

I guess I am pretty lucky...

Ramen summer school is in session...

Day 273:

As promised, gramps let me hang out and help out at his restaurant today. But when I arrived there were no customers so he just told me to sit down and ask away. So I did what I was told. "What's that in your hand?" I asked. "It's a pickled eggplant that I flavored myself." he answered.

"What are you making now?" I asked. "Gyoza filling." he answered.

"So how do you make the tare for the shoyu ramen?" I asked. "Fill ___ to this line and then fill the rest with ___." he answered.

"So what goes into your soup?" I asked. "___, ____, ___, ___, and _____." he answered.

"What are you doing now?" I asked. "Flavoring the chashu." he answered.

Then some customers came in and gramps got busy doin' his thang.

He even let me try some sui-gyoza when he was done. Then he turns to me and says, "I'm tired. I'm gonna go take a nap. You should come back again and I'll teach you some more." Gotta love gramps!

The rest of my day was full of the same bad luck I've been experiencing recently. I guess there has to be a trade off somewhere. Anyway, I stubbed my pinky toe against my bed and it literally ripped my toe nail off. Then I went to go for a bike ride and this happened...

Later in the night after having a few beers with family, I headed back to nearby Katsuraya for some Iekei ramen.

I have a love/hate relationship with Iekei. And today I hated it. It tasted too bloody. I think I'll stay away from Iekei for awhile.

Are those bones stored under the sink?

Maybe I should get one of these...

Yeah right. haha.

Do you have a ramen dream?

Day 272:

Look! I'm eating a salad!!

And negi toro!!

Anyway, Bassanova is hiring!! Are you interested in being a part-time ramen chef? If so, then email me, leave a comment, or call the shop! If you can read the sign below, then you are eligible. And if you are not a Japanese citizen, you must have a valid work visa. Other than that, I'll teach you everything you need to know.

And did I mention you get to eat ramen for free?!

Haha, I'd do it just for the ramen...

Nine months and counting...

Day 271:

It's hard to believe its already been nine months. I thought it would be fun to count the number of bowls of ramen I've eaten since I started this dream, but then my curiosity was quickly squashed by the amount of time I thought it would take. In any case, I hope you enjoy this little recap of the past ninety days. It will surely be ninety days that I'll remember forever.

Moca was in Australia, but her friend was visiting from Singapore and wanted some ramen. So when I received an email asking to take her on one of my adventures, I happily obliged. Menya Warito (麺屋 和利道) has been on my radar since I saw them ranked as the #1 new tsukemen shop for 2009. Moca's talked about a good tsukemen near her house, but I just realized yesterday that she was talking about Warito the entire time. Sorry moca!

Warito is another one of those gyokai-tonkotsu shops that have been popping up like weeds across Tokyo. It's very similar to Tetsu and as you'll see later, they also use the yaki-ishi gimmick.

The noodles look beautiful, but beauty is only in the eye of the beholder, as they say.

I'd have to say that Warito is good, but it's still just another gyokai-tonkotsu tsukemen shop to me.

As I mentioned before, here's the yaki-ishi used for heating up your soup at the end.

Speaking of end, I don't see one in sight. At least anytime soon.

I'm looking forward to the next 90 days and beyond. I hope you are too...