Takadanobaba's Ramen Jiro

A new grocery store opened up near our apartment while we were in Japan. I noticed this ramen shop in front of the grocery store frequently had a long line in front of it. One day, when the line wasn’t too long and the grocery shopping could wait, I decided to give it a try.

Ramen Jiro (ラーメン二郎)

It turns out that Ramen Jiro is like no other ramen I’ve had before or since. I ordered the regular version–even though you have the option of extra (or less) garlic, pork, pork fat, vegetables (mostly sprouts but also some cabbage), and spiciness. The amount of garlic, pork, and sprouts was incredible for a regular bowl. The taste was really good for the first dozen or so bites/slurps, but I was full less than halfway through. I labored on but still didn’t finish it all and felt rather sick after.

I would certainly go back (now that much time has passed) and hope to get something smaller. I would also go much lighter on the garlic. I love garlic (にんにく) but this amount was ridiculous. You’ll want lots of water in any case.

If you want to give this one a try, the address is 豊島区 高田 3-17-8. As the sign says, Ramen Jiro is only open for 4 hours a day (and closed two days a week), or until they run out of noodles–whichever comes first, so you have a very narrow window of opportunity.

Posted on August 24th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: food, ramen, signs, takadanobaba. Comments: 1

If you see a sign that looks something like the above as you are traveling through Denmark, think not that the store it is attached to is selling pretzels. No, this is the sign where you can get a real Danish pastry (wienerbrød). What you will find inside is a much wider selection and far more tasty treat than what we normally call a danish in the U.S.A.

These sweet snacks melt in your mouth. After having the real thing (too many times to count now), I’m always a bit disappointed in the danishes I eat when I’m back home in the states.

Posted on July 3rd, 2011 under Denmark. Tags: food, signs. Comments Off on The sign of a real Danish danish

My random wallpaper for the day is this image, a photo I’ve never before seen. I’m guessing Ellie took this before consuming the ice cream inside (with a knife and rice cooker scoop?!?!). Two questions…

1) What is Hokey Pokey flavor?
2) Why would ice cream be imported from New Zealand to Japan?

Posted on April 14th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: food. Comments Off on Ice Cream from New Zealand in Japan

Unfortunately, the misinformation about Japan’s radiation situation continues to seep into the consciousness of society and become a false reality. People, in the USA anyway and probably much of the world, picture Japan now as a radioactive wasteland thanks to the media not presenting an accurate picture. If you look at actual radiation readings taken by independent citizens (or even biased groups like Greenpeace) you will see that radiation levels in 99% of Japan are no different than they were prior to the Tohoku Quake, tsunami, and Fukushima Nuclear Reactor problems.

The media’s influence is even warping the minds of Japanese living in the USA. The top photo is from a Bento/Hot Dog stand in Ashland, Oregon owned and run by a Japanese person.

In addition to the top photo sign, which made me cringe, Koko’s Bento Dog helped raise some funds during Friday night’s “art walk.” I attended and it was a great event. I didn’t realize there were so many Japanese people in my hometown.

Despite the radiation sign, which I disapprove of, Koko’s Bento Dog Cafe makes a fine hot dog.

Posted on April 3rd, 2011 under Japan, Oregon. Tags: food, signs. Comments: 2

While I enjoyed my bento at Ikegami Baien, these Japanese kids feasted on McDonald’s. Ironic, isn’t it?

Posted on February 21st, 2011 under Japan. Tags: food, kids, lanterns. Comments: 1