無頼庵

I am NOT a Jirorian. A Jirorian cares not for the stink of garlic that seeps from his pores. A Jirorian can pinpoint the minor differences between the Jiro branch in Nishi-Shinjuku and the Jiro branch in Kabukuicho, a five minute walk away. A Jirorian thinks that bean sprouts count as a healthy topping.

And when a new Jiro-style shop opens, I don’t really care.

But when a Jiro-style shop called Buraian opens, I take note. Because that is my name! I’m Brian!

In typical Jiro-style fashion, a single shred of cabbage was the only spec of health in this bowl. In typical fashion, I felt like crap after eating it. In typical fashion, the soup is rich and porky and delicious.

Then I was hit was some of the best news of 2013. I asked the master what 無頼庵 means. 無頼 – burai – means villainy, non-trust. 庵- an – means hermitage. Put them together, and buraian means desperado. A bad-ass dude, living day to day by his own rules.

When I first came to Japan, some Japanese friends wrote my name as 武雷安, a nonsense grouping of Chinese characters for samurai, thunder, and cheap.

I’ll take desperado any day.

東京都世田谷区経堂2-14-13
Tokyo, Setagaya-ku, Kyodo 2-14-13
Closest station: Kyodo

Open 11:30-15:00, 18:00-22:00

Ramen Adventures

Ramen Shop Reviews from Japan and Abroad

無頼庵 (Buraian in Kyodo)

次郎長 (Jirocho at the Sapporo Airport)

麺巧潮 (Ushio in Ogawamachi)

無頼庵 (Buraian in Kyodo)

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次郎長 (Jirocho at the Sapporo Airport)

麺巧 潮 (Ushio in Ogawamachi)

麺巧潮 (Ushio in Ogawamachi)