Ramen, for realz
For years I have heard about "ramen enthusiasts" and assumed it was like being a White Castle fan, where the banality of the item in question adds to its mythical appeal. I didn't realize ramen was actually good (White Castle is whatevs).
I had only ever had ramen once in my life when a roommate during my first stint in college gave me one of his little cups of it that college students get. I never thought of it ever again, and continued to buy and eat copious amounts of Kraft mac and cheese.
But then a friend today, 12 or 13 years later, surprised me with a trip to Ichiran, a New York version of what is apparently a common Tokyo "fast-food" ramen. Apparently ramen varieties are as numerous as the sands on the beach, but this place specializes in "pork bone ramen", or tonkotsu ramen (and until I have a different variety, this will just be "ramen" to me).
Guys. I had no idea. This broth was in cred i ble. It was so creamy and delicious. It had so much body. You could customize your broth at the iPad before you sat down. I loaded it up with "richness" ("oil") and garlic (I'll always 10x garlic if given the chance). No regrets. Wow. I have never been more surprised by a food, I think. It took me about half the broth to finish the noodles, and then I ordered a noodle refill.
Backing up for a second, the setup in this place was insane. You sit down at a long line of phone-booth sort of places with dividers between the counter sections that you can swing out of the way if you're with a friend. Your bowl is slipped to you under a "shade" that's lifted slightly to pass things through---you never see who's serving you. It's so delightfully weird and very how I imagine modern Japan.
Your own little cubby
No words, guys, no words
There's a sensor under the counter to let them know you're there, and there's a switchboard outside displaying booth availability.
It's interesting in that on one hand, it's even more mechanical and dehumanizing than American "fast food", BUT on the other hand it is... actually delicious, and actually good for you. That broth really cured me of conditions I didn't even know I had.
I feel like I'm going to be thinking about it constantly until I go back. I wish I could eat there every day.
Wow.
Wow.
Wow.