I love ramen…
For some, it’s the marbled fat and delicate color of farm-raised Kobe beef. For others, it’s the delicate flesh and buttery taste of wild salmon.
For me however, it’s got to be ramen, Nature’s most perfect food.
Although I’ve spent several years living in Tokyo, for some strange reason I never had the privilege of dining at Ippudo (?????), a world famous chain of ramen noodle shops.
Originating in the city of Hakata (????) on the island of Kyushu, Ippudo pays homage to its roots by serving up some of the best damn Hakata-style ramen on the planet.
Hakata ramen is distinguished by its rich and milky pork-bone broth, thin noodles and unique toppings such as pickled ginger, crushed sesame and pickled greens.
So how good is Ippudo you ask?
Put it this way – one doesn’t merely jump right into a bowl of Ippudo’s signature Hakata ramen.
On the contrary, it must first appreciated and respected before even a single slurp of soup and noodle can be savored.
So, without further adieu, I present to you today Zen and the art of ramen appreciation.
Upon arriving at the table, don’t lose face in front of the chef by diving into the bowl like an uncouth barbarian.
Instead, take a moment to appreciate the immaculate presentation, the intoxicating aroma and the beauty of the meal before you.
Ippudo ramen is best served up with a dollop of fiery red miso paste and a squirt of black sesame oil.
However, don’t let these culinary flourishes distract you from the heart and soul of the meal, namely the honorable pig that gave up its life for your dining pleasure.
Indeed, the fat from the humble pig comprises much of the bulk of the broth, while cuts of tenderloin float delicately on the surface like sakura petals on a still pond.
Next, use your chopsticks in a precise and exacting manner to explore the delicate coil of noodles that lie in waiting beneath the surface of the broth.
At Ippudo, these handmade noodles are thin yet resilient, and are expertly crafted to capture globules of rich fat and flavorful broth.
By this point, your mouth is salivating and your stomach is growling, so give a polite bow to the chef and say a small prayer for the pig.
Now that the appropriate amount of respect has been given, dive right into what will most likely be the most heavenly bowl of ramen you’ve ever tasted.
And of course, don’t forget to slurp your noodles – not only is it polite, but it also enhances the flavor!
Ippudo has several locations in Tokyo, though I tend to frequent the one on Meiji-dori in Hiroo-go-chome. If you happen to see a fellow gaijin noodle lover there, be sure to say hi.
** Special thanks to my fellow diner and all-around partner in crime, Will-san, who understands whole-heartedly that no two bowls of ramen are ever created equal **
