Shibaraku Ramen. Again. And Again.

Thursday, 8 July 2010

Missed the ramen at Shibaraku, and decided I will have my fill before I leave Hakozaki tomorrow morning. I did. twice. in the same night.

First time on the way to Ginza for A&F, and second time on the way back. I had ramen with an egg in round #1, but decided to skip the egg in round #2 (Dr Foo will be proud).

I do not speak Japanese, and the proprietor (right) does not speak English. Through smiles we must have built some bond.

He surprised me by putting an egg (on the house) next to me, and gave me the biggest smile. It was the nicest gesture I had all week, and this time round, the egg was done just right with the york a nice red and not too cooked texture.

I also tried some of the chilli (with a hint of yuzu) and the soup was heavenly! I think I proceeded to empty half the bottle of chilli into my ramen. hahaha.

OISHII DESU NE!!!

Shibaraku Ramen

after the failure at Apple it was time was dinner. At 9.30 I was famished and decided to try Saruyama-san's favorite ramen place near his home and our office. Shibaraku serves Tonkutsu ramen and you can smell the soup before you reach the place. yum.

Just around the corner (turn right) from the Suitengu Shrine along Shin Ohashi Dori Ave, and before the 7eleven store is ramen heaven

At the ticket machine pay 600 JPY for a bowl of ramen, 100 JPY for an egg, and 250 JPY for 5 Gyozas.

OISHII DESU NE!!

hello Tokyo!

Monday 5 July 2010


arrived in Tokyo close to 6pm. temp just outside the arrival hall showed 28C at 6.30pm but feels like 35C! was starving by the time I arrived at the Royal Park hotel next to TCAT close to 8pm. Hotel is 10 mins walk to the office in Hakozaki but far far away from civilization...

I was prepared to eat anything just to fill the tummy. Kudos to self control (pat pat) for waiting till after check in to get hotel staff's advice on a good ramen place in the area. Was recommended to try Manten Ramen (03 5695 0085) next to hotel.

 I had the Miso Ramen and Gyoza and man, it was such a big bowl of ramen with so much yasai for 700 JPY! 5 Gyozas were 300 JPY. Food was so-so and I felt like a salaryman amongst the men in suits tucking in their ramen after work. 

simple pleasures

the egg best eaten with a little salt (check out my teeth marks). the egg yolk is all soft and ohh so good - c had 2 on our second visit this trip to Tokyo

my ramen - start...

... and finish

Ichiran system

after buying the tickets. wait for an empty table, as indicated by the blue light on the panel. each button represents a cubicle and seat. so there are 2 rows of cubicles, seperated by a center aisle where the food's prepared and served by 'faceless' staff because you only get to see their hands and hear their voices. this outlet has 21 seats but as no one stays for long, it's a fast moving queue - just do not expect to get side by side seats. anyway, you will be in a cubicle so don't expect dinner conversation with your family or friends

the system explained. in japanese.
i have been there 5 times so here's my simplified english version:
1. buy your ticket(s)
2. get a seat
3. ask for a English menu (you get to select how you like your noodles - fully customized!)
decide the texture of your ramen, amount of garlic, special sauce, spring onions, roast pork, fattiness of the soup etc). My favorite is firm noodles and regular everything else. no spring onions of course!)
4. press the button on the table when you need attention
5. if you need to order extra ramen or egg or a 'beauty slimming green tea', you can always order direct and pay cash. check out the chopstick sleeve - it's actually for any extra orders!

each diner seats in his/her cubicle, with no distractions in order to fully enjoy the ramen (at least this is what I understand the creator's concept was - however, I think it's a very clever way to ensure that no empty seat is wasted (3 people at a table for 4? what a waste of space (25%!) in Tokyo). after your ramen is served, the staff lowers the bamboo chick curtain, and it's just you and the ramen. intimate.