Sunday, March 15, 2009

Ramen!

This is my "Random Thought on Japan" for the day (maybe).

Soon after hearing we were moving to Japan, I began to hear the strangest comments from those who have lived in there. "You'll get Ramen Stands!" And this was said with ENVY. In fact one dear friend sent the name of his favorite Ramen Stand in the Misawa area. I have to admit that I was perplexed. My thoughts went like this..."If Ramen Stands are the best thing to look forward to in culinary delights in Japan - we're in for a LONG three years!"

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I went online to find a photo of a Ramen Stand...

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Pretty much what I was picturing...but look at this "Ramen". Two things are quickly noticed....1. to think Top Ramen is Ramen is like thinking Taco Bell is authentic Mexican food and 2. CHOPSTICKS???? Soup with chopsticks????

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Ah....spoons...

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I can't wait to try authentic Ramen from an authentic Ramen Stand.....though the geeky American pizza below looks appealing too. ::snort:: For a list (and photos) of different types of Ramen click here. I'm learning which type to avoid if I don't want pork. ::snort::

I'd best quit posting things I discover and photos or you'll be tired of hearing about Japan before we arrive. I suppose that is ONE good thing of having only 3 months before our adventure begins instead of the expected 6 months..... less time for me to wear y'all out. (Yes, I'm a visual learner and am spending time searching for images of things I'm told about....and yes, the whole Pizza Hut thing was a rabbit trail as I searched for a photo of authentic Ramen and a Ramen Stand....do you SEE why we get behind in school? ::snort::)

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

7 comments:

April said...

I am a visual learner also and seeing the pictures makes things become real. I would be doing the same thing as you.

Heather said...

I love all the facts about Japan. Keep them coming!

Anonymous said...

Ramen is my most favorite Japanese food! We had an awesome stand near Yokota that actually had three booths (on the floor) and a small counter with a few stools. No water is on the menu -- but they did have a small water dispenser (with tiny cups), mostly for Americans.

You'll be so close to Hokkaido. It would be worth taking a trip to the northern island, especially in February for the Snow Festival. Google it; you'll see the huge sculptures made of snow and ice. Sapporo, Hokkaido, has THE BEST ramen in the world. Man....I get excited just thinking about.

On my trip home from Seoul, I purposefully selected the 2-hour layover in Tokyo -- just to eat!!

Cynthia said...

I'm enjoying your journey. Keep posting!

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Funny, Mel. I'll probably forget about the ice festival until we hear it's coming up once we are there. LOL THEN I'll remember - sounds like fun.

Kristine said...

LOL, I was going to write that you'd probably get to Japan and eat Chik-Fil-A--and then I glimpsed the Japanese Pizza Hut box in your next post!!!

BTW, I love your little Japanese lady in your weather box.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Isn't it funny Kristine. BUT I really want to experience Japan not lock myself away on the base...just like we experienced Alaska and Texas....if you don't get out and make local friends you simply don't really KNOW the area.....so I want to eat Pizza Hut once in a while but I really want to get out and do the ramen thing etc. LOL