麺や葵

Aoi was a quick plan B for a group tour I was leading. Many of Tokyo’s best shops close randomly and without warning, much to the dismay of a tour guide. Thankfully, Aoi was open.

Oh, great. The famous 厚切りジェイソン came here. Atsugiri Jason is an American TV talent in Japan. I have a long story about why I hate this guy (nothing personal!). The short version is that I did a TV gig and they kept saying I look like him. At the time I had never heard of him, so the whole gag was a flop. I looked like an idiot in front of Kyari Pamyu Pamyu and Yoshiki from X-Japan.

It’s a standard tonkotsu gyokai, meaning they cook pork and chicken overnight, and then hit it with plenty of dried fish in the morning. Aoi uses 鰹 (skipjack tuna), サバ (mackerel), and 煮干(dried sardine).

Good stuff. I #crushedit for sure this time.

But seeing that autograph on the wall brought back a bitter memory.

(I kid, but it was a strange experience nonetheless.)

Ramen Adventures

Ramen Shop Reviews from Japan and Abroad

麺や葵 (Aoi in Nippori)

葉山 (Hayama in Shinjuku)

竹末 (Takesue in Sumida-ku)

麺や葵 (Aoi in Nippori)

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葉山 (Hayama in Shinjuku)

竹末 (Takesue in Sumida-ku)