I’m seriously a lover of food. All kinds. There’s nothing I won’t try. I thought I’d share Nobuhiro Hashiba’s (AME/KYH) info as he’s been both interested in US culture as well as sharing Japanese culture. This is from a Ramen shop in Osaka, Japan called “Kappa Honpo.” They serve Tonkotsu (pork bone base soup) and Shouyu (soy sauce base) type. It’s richer than Shin Sen Gumi. In anycase, Hashiba says that people in Japan during the end of the year will drink sake and eat this. Eating things that are long such as noodles represents a long, healthy, prosperous life for the new year and beyond. Me, I just love the food. The cha shu is so tender and the soup so oily. Good ramen places in Japan..and I mean really good ones..won’t even open up if they don’t feel the soup base and/or noodles are up to par for that day. There’s a chain called “Ganko Ramen” literally meaning “Stubborn Ramen” which hangs a bone on a chain if they are open. If you don’t see a bone on a chain hanging in front of a pitch black door, it means they are closed. Real discreet. For the serious ramen enthusiast. Gotta be grateful for food.