Ramen, Tokyo Tonkotsu Noodle, Shinjuku, Japan

I woke with a hangover and I need the cure.

A Big Greasy Burrito

Sadly there are none here.  Luckily the Tokyo version of the cure works just fine.

A big bowl of spicy ramen, side of gyoza.  Greasy meaty spicy goodness in a bowl.  

Let's get down and dirty shall we?

Staging area.

A terrible shot of the kitchen.

Gyoza.  Nothing special, just more filler.  They were just OK.

BAM

I agree, looks amazing.

Now those of you that know me well enough know that I despise the local San Diego ramen eatery, that will remain nameless (Underbelly).  And I despise them for many reasons, but the primary one is that the egg in their ramen is too softly boiled leaving the yoke runny.  So, you're probably thinking that I'm not digging this raw yoke thing too much.  But Ohhhhhh how wrong you would be.  I loved the taste and I loved the fact that it's just a yoke, no white.  And I also love it because it reminds me that some times I just have no idea what the fuck I'm talking about.  

But I'm gonna keep talking, and eating, and rollin' on.

My belly is feeling good and that is helping my body recover from the damage I did to it last night.

Maybe I'll check out a Giants game?   Sound good?  Stay tuned....

Eat more ramen.

DVA

Sushi Bar, Tsukiji - Tokyo - Japan

I'll offer no website as I have no idea what restaurant I'm in.  

I DO know that we are in the Tsukiji area, near the fish market (about 1 block away), the largest fish market in the world I might add.

We're here for food, drink, and general merriment.  Let the games begin!

An amuse bouche is presented as we sit.

Baby pickled squid.  Tangy and delicious.  They are gently swimming in a light miso sauce, I think.

Well, hello mister!

Ma'm

Obviously fresh fish abound.

We begin with a standard sashimi offering.

And then deep fried octopus (Tako).  Perfectly fried and lightly salted, Kewpie mayonnaise is the accompaniment. 

Fresh ginger, offered as a pallet cleanser.

Yes please, let's have some Sake!

I don't recall the brand but it's from the Niigata Prefecture.  Dry, crisp, delicious.

Now for one of my deathbed meals.  Chawan Mushi, steamed egg custard.

It's perfection in a bowl.    Custard and a light fish broth, bits of mushroom and shrimp and scallop are suspended throughout.

Time for another Sake.

This one is 20% alcohol, strong for a Sake, so they serve it over ice.

A lot sweeter than the first one, but delicious nonetheless.

Horse meat, raw.

Are you ready for this?!?!

Looks like tuna, certainly doesn't taste like it.

Honestly, not that good.  Tasted very gamey and a little sinewy.  

I have no recollection of what type of fish this is

But I do recall that this stuff is the liver from said unnamed fish.  Simply ground up.  

I was told by the chef to take the fish, dip it in the liver, then in the ponzu, and down the hatch.  I was blown away.  Tasted just like a tomato sauce.  Exactly like a finely ground tomato sauce.  Crazy.  

Good suggestion!

A beer machine.  Automated beer pourer so that a perfect head is obtained every time.

Wow

The machine tilts the glass

And when it reaches the top, it tilts the glass back, gently filling to the top.

 Meanwhile, back in the kitchen....

A torch has appeared and we are cooking a fillet of eel.

Loved it.  Nice work dude!

Anyone for Gizzard Shad?

Apparently it's some sort of fish....  It's the one on the right.  Left side is Bluefin Tuna.

No clue what these are, and I didn't eat them, I just thought that they looked cool.

I didn't eat these either, and they looked gnarly.     It was one of the specials of the day, reference the following sign...

I think the white one on the left was some sort of fish organ, maybe. 

And then the chef got a sense of humor from somewhere...

He began to offer me micro-sushi...

He was cracking himself up.

This was about 3/4 of an inch in size.  Hilarious  :-)  That's a penny next to it.

More food, it just kept coming.

Abalone

And we end with a miso soup, steeped with fish bones.

I'm tired, full, buzzed, and ready for bed.

Wanna get outta here?

DVA