| Dohenkotsu (San Jose, USA) |  |
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| Even though Japanese ramen lovers are aware of what "Tokushima Ramen"
is, they will get surprised to hear there is a "Tokushima Ramen"
specialty shop outside of Japan. It is named "Donenkotsu" and located in San Jose, CA, USA, the heart of Information Technology industry. This ramen shop was opened in 2001 by Mr. Masuda, a chef from Tokushima prefecture (located south-west in Japan). He's been in US for long and owned Japanese restaurants in California. Mr. Masuda was frustrated to realize almost nobody (including Japanese living in US) did not know anything about "Tokushima Ramen." This frustration moved him to open up the specialty shop in San Jose. But "Tokushima Ramen" was firstly introduced nationwide in Japan just a few years ago when the shop called "Inotani" was invited to Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum. Till then most of us living in Tokyo were completely ignorant of it. With this low level of recognition, it was daring to open a "Tokushima Ramen" specialty shop in US where most of people mistakenly believed "Ramen" meant instant noodles. In addition, Mr. Masuda has reproduced "Tokushima Ramen" till its detailed characteristics so faithfully that some reader of World Ramen.net cast an inquiry "Ramen at Dohenkotsu is different from "regular ramen in that its noodles are more "straight" more similar to Chinese style noodles and it's topped with thinly sliced pork meat marinated/cooked in dark soy sauce. I'm wondering if this is a "typical" Ramen style in Japan." Before opening up Dohenkotsu, Mr. Masuda went back to Tokushima, his home town, to study recipe. More surprisingly, he is importing noodles from there! Anyway, Dohenkotsu is the only one serving "Tokushima Ramen" outside of Japan. It is interesting if "Tokushima Ramen" grows as "Regular" ramen in Silicon Valley ! (BON. 2002.07.18) Mr. Masuda e-mailed and informed me that now the shop is called "Tokushima Ramen" since nobady called shop's real name, "Dohenkotsu". (BON. 2002.09.10) |
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| (Information source）http://www.awaawa2.com/bang/bang/bang011006.htm | ||
| Yamato (Burussel, Belgium) | |
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| Most of the reviews about ramen shops outside Japan sent are not really
favorable. Especially those sent by Japanese are severe. It is no wonder
because Japanese customers accustomed to tastes which overwhealmed others
in the battle field with over 5000 ramen shops competing cannot satisfy
themselves with ramen shop outside of Japan where there are only few ramen
shops in a city. But there is an exception, whose reputation has never been negative. The raman shop is "Yamato" in Burussel, Belgium. Its chef Mr. Inagaki trained himself at some hotels in Tokyo, and became an Itamae (Cook of Japanese cuisine) in Europe.Then he met Mr.Gilder, the current co-owner of "Yamato". Mr. Inagashi impressed Mr.Gilder so much that two agreed to open "Yamato". "Yamato" is popular and busy with not only Japanese cutomers but also Belgians who are reputed to be quite selective when it comes to food. They serve both Shoyu and Miso flavor ramen, but the No.1 popular menu is "Miso Ramen with Pork Cultlet", which is large in quantitiy. "Miso Ramen with Pork Cultlet".... Mmm, I'd prefer simple Miso or Shoyu. (BON. 2002.03.25) |
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| (Shop Data）http://www.belgium-alacarte.com/News-5.htm | ||
| Suchan Ramen (Astasion, Paraguay) | |
| When I found a new ramen shop outside of Japan, I felt like discovering
a treasure. Especially when I found one in some country in which I had
never imagined of, my heart bounced indescribably. Paraguay.My knowledge about this country limited to its succer team that appeared in the World Cup Succer tournament sometimes. In its Capital city, Astasion, there are around 2,000 Japanese and Japanese descents living. The ramen shop that is easing their strong cravings for Ramen is "Suchan Ramen." A lady is managing the ramen shop which she named after her dead husband's nickname. Reflecting the taste of her homeland,Shikoku (western island of 4 major islands of Japan), her ramen consists of rich soup with mixed stocks, pork and chicken, and hand-made noodles. It is enjoying good reputation in this Latin country far away from Japan. The menu which consists of Ramen and Gyoza (Pot sticker) and shop appearance remindsus of Ramen shops in Japan. But the shop curtain is imported from US. (BON. 2002.02.18) |
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| (Shop Data）Suchan Ramen | |
| Ami-ja (Tallinn, Estonia) | |
| The info. of this restaurant was provided by a visitor to World Ramen.net. It is named "Ami-ja", not a ramen speciality shop but a Japanese restaurant. So usually it is not qualified to be introduced here, but its unique location, a former Soviet Union country= Estonia, has made itself stick-out. To tell you the truth, I did not know where Estonia located. Ami-ja is considered to be a valuable restaurant which conveys charm of ramen in this far country from Japan. I'd love to visit this shop once, if the chance comes. BTW, the building in which Ami-ja located used to be Soviet Baltic Fleet Sea museum. Mmm...interesting, isn't it? (BON. 2002.01.06) |
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| (Shop Data）http://www.amija.ee/index.htm | |
| Ryu Michinoku (Tokyo, Japan) |
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| I have been introducing ramen shops which are operating outside of Japan.
But this week, let me introduce one in Tokyo, Japan. The shop is named Ryu Michinoku. It is run by the guy called Ali from Iran. Miso Ramen trapped him with its charm and has led him to open his own ramen shop. But the main menu of his ramen shop is Obura soba called "yahagisoba" at his shop. Although he is carrying Shoyu, Shio, and Tonkotsu Ramen in the menu, but not miso which triggered Ali's ramen life. The reason is that Ali himself has not bee satisfied with the quality of Miso Ramen he creates. This episode itself implys Ali's deep love and respect towrds Ramen. Ali's example eloquently shows that even a guy with a totally different food culture from Japan cannot be resist against the charm of Ramen. Ali will stay in Japan and keep his shop, but his story convinces us that in the near future there will be someone wlse who would bring back ramen to his home county and widely spread its charm here. (BON. 2001.12.10) |
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| (Shop Data）Ryu Michinoku | |
| 2 Daime Ganko (Conneticut, USA) |
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| Even though it is not located in real heart of the city, it is not quite surprising to know there are a few ramen shops in Conneticut which is close to NY with a lot of Japanese living in. But when it is a mobile shop or "yatai" called "yonaki soba", the thing is different. A Japanese guy named Mr. Fujio Mojiyama, a former gardener, is running this yatai. His yatai was order-maded with the cost of $20,000 and is located in a parking lot of a Japanese grocery, Fuji Mart. Though the menu consists of only Ramen and Chashumen, he hand-make not only Menma or Chashu but also noodles. It tastes authentic Tokyo-style shoyu ramen reproducing ramen of his father who used to be running a Chinese restaurant. The word "2 daime" which means "second generation" eloquently expresses the shop master's strong will to succeed his father's ramen. It is colder in New England than expected in winter time. Eating ramen at yatai in this cold weather is unforgettable experience. To let US people enjoy real rame, World Ramen.net is supprting 2 Daime Ganko to keep on its operation for long. (BON. 2001.12.2) |
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| (Related Article *in Japanese）Media・Japan This info. is quite old and I do not know whether he still runs his shop or not. If someone knows, please let me know. |
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| Aska (San Paulo, Brazil) |  |
| Which is the farthest country from Japan in which I can find a ramen shop?
Spinning a terrestrial globe, I FOUND one in Brazil which is on the other
side of the world. The name of the ramen shop is "Aska." It is quite new there opened in 2000. The shop master is Mr. Takeshi Ito, who lived in Brazil for 25 years. After retiring from the CEO of Yokogawa Electronics, Brazil, he decided to start a ramen shop without hesitation. But he had never been a cock, especially as a professional. Then he went back to Japan temporarily and apprenticed himself to a ramen shop. During this training days, he seems to have equipped himself with skills to create and reproduce "real" ramen in Brazil. He sometimes has problems in finding appropriate materials, but his ramen seems to be enjoying good reputation due to Mr. Ito's effort. Mr. Ito claims that he opened his ramen shop in return for good experiences Brazil brought to him. World Ramen.net will keep on supporting Mr.Ito and Aska behind the scene. (BON. 2001.11.24) |
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| (Related Article *in Japanese）JapanBrazil.com | |
| Cocolo (Berlin, Germany) | |
| I heard Berlin has been it the Tokyo boom since last year. The idea "there must be a ramen shop there" urged me to look for one, then I FOUND! It turned "Outrageous" It is managed by 2 Japanes DJ's, named "Cocolo", and opens on week ends only. Their shop is "Yatai style" one located inside of a cafe. It is so popular among not only Japanese but also Berliners that local guides recommend to visit the cafe at around 8:00pm right after cocolo starts to get seats. Besides its novelty, their ramens of Shio, Miso, Shoyu(called Tokyo), and Tonkotsu (called Sumo) are enjoying good reputation. Cocolo is not sticking within Berlitn, but made expeditions to other cities in Germany and European cities. With their ramens, they are contributing to increase of ramen fans all over Europe. They have their own web site introcucing charms of rame which offers fun to vist (though the language is in German). Though I do not like the picture of sumo on the top page, I am happy to see their strong will to spread the truth of ramen. |
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| (Official Site: Germany) http://www.ramen.de/ (Their announcemen page: Japanese) http://www.berlinnet789.de/today/cocolo/1.htm (Japanese) http://www.bn789.de/052001/main/gu5_11.htm |
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