Ramenate and I headed out to Kanda on what would be one of our last ramen adventures together for the near future. We've got to make every bowl count!
With a friendly looking oni (Japanese demon) above the door, this place is pretty inviting. By the way, the name of the shop refers to the metal club that the oni bashes you senseless with.
What, in the world of ramen ingredients, could bash your head in with a giant metal rod?
How about not just one crazy spice, but two. Choose your level of kara, the regular hot, and your level of shibi, the shop's special sanshou mix. Sanshou is also known as numbing pepper. It's illegal in some states in America. It's really good.
More oni.
They are watching you.
Amazing. This bowl is regular spice, extra numbing. Good choice for someone who can handle a little heat, but still wants to taste the soup.
Nate went with oni-level of both spices. Reader beware. The numbing spice actually kills a lot of the initial heat, which creeps up a few minutes later. This is dangerous (and delicious) stuff.
Kikanbou gets a high rating in my book. I'll even say that if you are a fan of miso and/or spice, it's a must visit.
Check out my video review here!
5 comments:
As far as I know the numbing pepper federal US import ban had nothing to do with human consumption, but the fact it could carry a citrus tree disease. The US lifted the ban in 2005, so long as the pepper is heated to at least 160F [70C] before being imported.
I'm going to Tokyo for the first time in a few weeks and I'm looking for a recommendation of a great place to go for my first bowl of ramen. Any advice? I'm considering the first place I see when I stumble from the train station, unless you have any suggestions?
Cheers,
Nick
@Anon - Thats the one, I didn't realize the ban was lifted.
@Nick - In Tokyo station is the "Tokyo Ramen Street". It's an easy place to start.
@Nick, there's a great tonkatsu ramen restaurant called Inchiran in Ueno Station. It's an interesting experience. You order from a machine and get a ticket, then fill in a paper about how you want the broth. You go into the dining area, with single stalls at a counter, hand in your paper, and they make your order. It's a fun experience and the ramen is very good! The style originated in Fukuoka, so it's a chain, but it's famous and one of my favorites in Japan.
How dare you put Ichiran in the same post as Kikanbo! I'm NOT a fan of Ichiran at all.
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