kenleewrites in 日本

Today’s stroll is through Shibuya. Sometimes I cringe at the thought of going to Shibuya. It’s swarmed with hordes of people and navigating through the crowd sometimes require the nimble reflexes of a Jedi pilot. I usually only go to Shibuya for 3 main reasons; for the Apple Store, Tokyu Hands (which is a great DIY shop) and Loft. Other reasons for heading to Shibuya usually include some form of social activity such as showing friends visiting Japan around, meeting friends up for food and drinks.

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The main Jiro ramen store is in Mita (二郎ラーメン三田本店). Yeap. The beast I’m talking about it none other than the infamous Jiro ramen. It’s not fine dining, but it will definitely fill you up in ways fine dining never can. ^^. The shop’s about the size of an average ramen store; seats about 12-15. It’s housed up in this tiny triangular shaped building right next to Keio University’s Mita campus. Guess where all the students go for lunch?

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I love the interesting packaging of instant ramen in Japan. Sometimes the packaging is all that’s between me buying or not buying it. Do you have instant ramen where you are? Are there any factors which pull you from your usual pick to try an unfamiliar brand?

That said, I was very intrigued when bears started appearing on the instant ramen packaging. This particular ramen is from the east gate of the Asahiyama Zoo way up north in Hokkaido. ^^.

There are four main flavours of ramen in Japan; Tonkotsu (from boiling pork ribs), shio (salt), soy sauce and miso. I usually go for tonkotsu when I need an energy boost, shio when I’m looking for something light and simple. Miso and soy sauce flavoured ramen… usually depends on how adventurous I feel.

This polar bear version is salt-flavoured. 白クマ塩ラーメン “White bear salt-flavoured ramen”. Noodles come wrapped too. Pretty nice packaging eh. Flavour’s not bad too. It leaves you full with a light salty taste. Doesn’t come with the bean sprouts topping, but that doesn’t require much work in front of the stove. I had a different “brown bear soy sauce ramen” much earlier when I replaced the hard disk for a mac mini. You enjoy ramen?

I have a weak spot for interesting gadgets and novelty items. It’s always fun finding out what creative solutions others have come up with. In many ways, it keeps me inspired. What about you? Do you have the same weak spot? What is your kryptonite? ^^

Keirou no hi. Today’s public holiday in Japan is the Respect-for-the-Aged Day. Don’t forget to wish your old folks a happy holiday. ^^