Ramen Hunter

Joined on this episode by friends of the pod Abram aka Ramen Beast and Cody aka Ramen Guide Japan.

We first talk about recent slurps, including Ramen Mu (6:21) which provides syringes to shoot up your ramen bowl. Abram recommends Shimomae Shoten (11:27) in Yokohama  Chinatown. Edwin asks the guys about their thoughts on a new "healthier noodle" product launched by Sakai Seimen (13:12).

We get into a legendary Tokyo shop called Ichijo-ryu Ganko Ramen (18:15). You won't find this shop in Michelin or any publications. Strictly for the heads! Learn the backstory, the lineage, and the magic that goes into the bowl. 

Some links about the shop:
http://ganko1joh.hatenablog.jp/ (Ichijo-san's daily blog about the shop)
http://www.goramen.com/2011/09/hero.html
http://www.goramen.com/2011/09/stubborn-special.html (Shout-out to Keizo for sharing these stories)

Guest links:
https://www.instagram.com/no_ramen_here
https://ramenbeast.com/
https://www.ramenguidejapan.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ramenguidejapan/

Joined on this episode by friends of the pod Abram aka Ramen Beast, Brian aka Ramen Adventures, and first time guest Mike Satinover aka Ramen Lord.

Listen as Brian experiences an extortion attempt while we are recording! We cover some recently slurped bowls, and talk about Mike's Ramen journey through Sapporo to his home kitchen in Chicago. 

The guys kick knowledge on Sapporo style Miso Ramen, from the pre-Miso years to the OG shop Aji no Sanpei. We cover the evolution of the Miso Ramen scene in Sapporo, and pick some of our top shops. Get ready to be "edumacated".


http://www.ramenadventures.com/
http://www.ramenbeast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ramen__lord/

Joined this episode by the friends of the pod Abram aka Ramen Beast, Brian from Ramen Adventures, and Frank from 5AM Ramen.

We touch on the recently announced Michelin Guide Ramen list, as well as the Tabelog Top 100. Is Brian a secret Michelin reviewer??

The guys also share their picks  (bowls eaten in 2020) for the following:

- Overall top 3 shops
- Shop that required the most effort to get to
- Coolest shop atmosphere
- Shop that best represents 2020 to you
- Shop that could be a trendsetter for 2021

2020 has been a tough year for all, but hopefully the picks by these Ramen Hunters will give you something to look forward to in 2021.

http://www.ramenbeast.com/
http://www.ramenadventures.com/
http://5amramen.com/

Joined this episode by the friends of the pod Abram aka Ramen Beast and Keizo Shimamoto, noted LA Clippers fan.

We get into current events, especially the recent effects of COVID19 on Abram and Keizo.

Also get to hear about Abram's crazy trip to Fukuoka which segues into a deep dive into Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen. We cover some of the history, and Keizo walks us through the tricky process of cooking the stuff.

We also get into how Hakata Ramen blew up and became a global phenomenon. The guys share their recommendations for top bowls in US as well as Tokyo.

https://www.instagram.com/goramen/
http://www.ramenbeast.com/

Joined this episode by the famed Ramen Hunters Brian from Ramen Adventures and Frank from 5AM Ramen.

The guys share their experience at the newly launched Ramen Walker Kitchen in Saitama, featuring a "who's who" of Ramen Masters. We also get into Franks recent travels in Aomori prefecture to sample the local Ramen styles. Learn about Tsugaru Niboshi Ramen and the infamous Miso Curry Milk Ramen.

We also review the Fuji TV Ramen special "鬼旨ラーメングランプリ第二弾" that aired on 11/08/2020. This show featured 46 shops across various categories, and Brian and Frank weigh in with their thoughts.

http://www.ramenadventures.com/
http://5amramen.com/

Am joined this episode by Abram aka Ramen Beast and Cody aka Ramen Guide Japan, two elite English speaking Ramen Hunters. These guys are on a mission to hit-up every Ramen Jiro, a soul crushing style of Ramen know for volumes of noodles, vegetables, and oil.

Ramen Jiro is a genre that literally has a cult following. Ramen Jiro is also notorious for shunning media, so it's tough to get English language (and even Japanese) info. Jiro Heads are not necessarily Ramen Heads, so the culture has evolved in a bubble. Listen as Cody and Abram peel back the curtain on this legendary style.

We also touch on the new Tokyo Ramen of the Year (TRY) 2020-2021 magazine that dropped on 10/22. What do some top Ramen Hunters think of the rankings?

https://www.ramenguidejapan.com/
http://www.ramenbeast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tokyoramenoftheyear

Abram Plaut aka Ramen Beast joins the pod for a chat. We cover his journey morphing into the Ramen Beast, as well as his involvement with Menya Shono's overseas projects. We also dig into his Ramen travels, specifically his recent trip to Okayama prefecture which has some hidden ramen secrets. Do they really put Tonkatsu in Tonkotsu?? Abram also tells us about some of the elusive bowls on his wish list. 

Listen closely, and take notes on what it truly takes to call ones self a Ramen Hunter!!

Frank from 5AM Ramen joins as we have a conversation with Ramen Walker contributor Brian MacDuckston of Ramen Adventures. Ramen Walker publishes an annual guide of worthwhile shops to check out, and we dig into the Tokyo edition that dropped on 9/07. We touch on new shops, the best of various styles, the Grand Prix Rankings, and more! This years edition features 429 shops, so its a bit overwhelming. Join as as we navigate the content and talk about shops we are excited about.

Ramen Walker Tokyo 2021 available at the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%B3Walker%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC2021-%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%B3%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF/dp/4048968629

Brian MacDuckston of Ramen Adventures fame sits down for a pod! We dig into the tools that Ramen Hunters use to guide their slurping activities. Hear about his involvement with Ramen Walker, one of the top annual guides for Ramen content across Japan. We also get into Brian's TV appearances and interaction with pop idols. Make sure to Google "Go!オスカル!X21" to see some of his hilarious appearances. In honor of (the end of) summer, we also discuss the combination of Ramen and Shaved Ice.  A natural pairing...

Learn about all this and more in this chat with Brian!

Keizo Shimamoto of Ramen Shack/Ramen Burger fame sits down for a chat. We cover his blogging days and journey to Japan. Learn about Tantantei and other shops that influenced Keizo. We also discuss going from being jobless in New York to becoming an overnight sensation with the Ramen Burger. Learn the story behind the Ramen Shack and his current project, Shimamoto Noodle.

Most importantly, listen to the end in order to learn Keizo's DJ name!