那の福 (Nanofuku at a Highway Parking Area in Saitama)

那の福



Would you ever eat ramen at the Japanese equivalent of a highway truck stop?



I would!



Actually, highway rest stops, called parking areas or service areas, are a sight to behold. There is a toll system across this country on the expressways, and getting off the road is not an option. So for gas and food they have these massive stops every 30 or 40 km. Japanese style fast food prevails, with tempura, rice bowls, and of course ramen being prevalent. Usually it's just a generic soy sauce ramen, but at 上里 rest stop on the Kan-Etsu Expressway there was a cool looking Hakata style shop.



This shop is an extension of a shop in Tenjin, Kyushu. You're a long way from home buddy!



My lens was fogging up, it was rainy and humid out this day. Anyways, very standard stuff. I can't really recommend it, but it's not like you're going to go there anyways (about 2000 yen and an hour each way from Tokyo to this area on the expressway).



But the fun came with a separate bowl of rice, nori seaweed, and spicy cod roe. Finish the noodles, and dump that into your soup!



Mmmmm, pinky goodness. As always, dumping a bowl of rice into your ramen soup turns one meal into two.

In May I truly think it best
To be a robin lightly dressed
Concocting soup inside my nest
Mix it once, mix it twice
Mix that ramen soup with rice

Shop info here

鏑矢 (Kaburaya in Shibuya)

鏑矢


(Exit Shibuya New South Exit and go straight to the main street. I think it's right a block... or maybe left. Anyways, it's close)

After a day of Shibuya, nothing beats a bowl of ramen. What is a day of Shibuya you ask? I could be a standard day of shopping for $600 motorcycle vests that say "Engage the Cool. Porno Story" at the 109-2 men's store. Or maybe it means a leisurly visit to the Tabaco and Salt Museum. Today my Shibuya day consisted of marching in a worker's demonstration. This is slightly relevant to ramen because much of the staff of ramen shops are part time workers who deserve financial stability. Let's eat!



Due to Mos Burger being out of their vegie burger, our non-ramen friend headed out and Nate of Waseda Ramen and I had a discussion. There are a ton of shops around the main street in Shibuya, Center-Gai, but they aren't really amazing. But luckily, there is a less traveled-to south side with a nice ramen presence.



We counted about a dozen shops within 3 minutes of each other. Kaburaya popped out.



The house serves up a porky soy sauce soup, thick noodles, and tons of toppings on the counter. Nothing amazing, but a jack of all trades for sure, this was pretty damn satisfying after a long day's march.

Shop info here

なんでんかんでん (Nandenkanden in Shindaita)

なんでんかんでん


(from Shindaita, make a right and walk about 8 minutes... that's Nate and Keizo in that pic... rock on)

After eating at Basanova at around 8pm, having 2 or 8 drinks at a local bar, and discussing the many fine points of ramen, Keizo, Nate, and I decided to eat another bowl. We passed Nandenkanden on our walk from Basanova to the bar. This is one of those shops you can smell from a block away. Stinky stink tonkatsu soup.



This place is goofy. It was opened by some Indian guy**. Say hello to the wacky Indian guy.

**Turns out he's just an eccentric Japanese dude from Kyushu. Sorry if I offended**** anyone from India or Japan.

****Naw, I'm not really sorry.





The menu includes your standard, but also some バカ items. Baka means stoopid. If you get this, the bowl will be covered in toppings, either nori seaweed, green onions, or quail eggs... or all 3. Having drank a bit, and eaten a lot already, we all went with the standard.



Stinky and simple. It's good stuff. But the fun of Hakata style ramen is with the toppings. Load em on!



Let's see... we've got:



Karashi Tanaka - spicy, pickled mustard greens. Use sparingly, as some shops' versions are much more potent than others.



Crushed sesame seeds - ads a nutty, creamy flavor.



Benishoga - pickled red ginger gives a tangy kick.



Fresh crushed garlic - it's a good thing.



Before...



During...



After...

This shop is open really late. I'm not sure why, it's not really in a happening neighborhood. But that didn't keep the seats empty.

Official Site
More Shop Info Here