NERIMA: Ramen Dai... A refined Jiro'esque with a hint of Mexico!

After another long night I was on a hunt for some great ramen in Nerima... 

You'll have to pay for most of the toppings... all color coated chips.

Top left as usual!  But the light blue is Shio-Ramen and red is Spicy Ramen... they also have Tsukemen.

If you want smaller portion of noodles or fat then pick up one of these labels.

When a spot opens up just place the chip on the counter.

All counter seating and this night was packed before, during and after my meal... mind you its was near 1am. Also a nice mix of women that you will rarely see at Ramen Jiro.

Just before you ramen arrives the Chef will look at you... Free toppings!  Veggies (little bit, regular, a bit more, more and "Mashi" (Huge portion like a giant mountain!), Garlic, Shoga (that red stuff that usually comes with Curry), Abura (fat) and thick soup. 

I went for the little bit of veggies, garlic and abura (fat that just looked too beautiful and tasty!).  Oh, the ramen chef looked at me and assumed I didn't speak any Japanese so he was showing me the toppings to see what I'd like... staff here was super polite.

My Video!

The noodles are solid!  Super chunky and a bit on the al'dente side.  

Now this ramen was excellent.  The flavor was very similar to Ramen Jiro but more refined.  

This is really all you need to accompany a massive ramen... just one slice of tender pork.

And thus the Mexico... Habanero spice (the tiny bottle)!  It gave the ramen a very nice kick half way thru my meal.  Oveall I'm absolutely sure I'll go out of my way to close out the evening with Ramen Dai again... It was a pleasant environment and for 650yen a veeeery good deal!

Shop: Ramen Dai Nerima Branch

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132102/13091900/

Address J: 東京都練馬区豊玉北5-32-9 フォレストヒラキ　１F

Address E:  Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Toyotama-Kita, 5-32-9

MAP:

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JINBOCHO: Ramen Jiro revisited! Small with Small portion of noodles... yet HUGE!

The last time I went to Ramen Jiro was on a hot sunny afternoon and by the time I was done eating my noodles I was a sweaty mess as with most of the other patrons in the shop.  But now that it was winter and extra cold I had to give it another try~.  Line was a solid 30 people at 1:20pm... 

2 guys run the shop and one would pop out once in a while to take orders or count the number of people in line as we were approaching the 2pm closing time.  

At 1:40pm the purple guy stepped out with this sign... don't get to Ramen Jiro past 1:30pm or you may get turned away as it can take more than 30min to get inside... 

All counter seating and we are shoulder to shoulder...

I ordered the 650yen "Sho (Small)" Ramen but requested a small amount of noodes "Sukuna-Men" because the last time it was nearly impossible for me to finish the normal small portion with the regular amount of noodles.  

These 2 pieces of pork were Massive... I mean it was like an inch thick and as big as my palm!  So juicy and tender... for 650yen there is no better value than THIS ramen Jiro.  Definitely recommend this shop to anyone  wanting to try the best Japan has to offer.

For Shop Details goto my previous post!

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2011/08/jinbocho-ramen-jiro-full-course.html

JINBOCHO: Ramen Jiro... a full course fulfilling monster of a Ramen! Sooo Good!!

Finally thought I'd give Ramen Jiro in Jinbocho a try... the lines are always 30 deep and extends to the end of the block. But this day the line was only 15 deep... was it my timing?  Then I heard a few salarymen talking about how short the line was and they didn't notice any University students here... thats right! Its summer vacation.  Lucky me.

When you are near the door the staff will ask you what you want.  Just say "Sho" which is a small ramen thats 650yen.  But don't let this "small" fool ya... its massive!

650yen for Ramen, 750yen for a little pork and 850yen for double pork.  Not to worry the 650 yen had 2 huge chunks of charsui pork too.

Place the little blue tab on the counter when its your turn to sit.  Counter only has about 10 seats so if you go in a group you will be seated randomly in the open spots.  When you ramen is almost ready to serve he will ask you if you want "Nin-niku" (Garlic), say "Onegaishimasu" or "Hai" for Garlic or "Nin-niku Nashi" (for no garlic).

This this was massive... all this for only 650yen?!  And whats holding up the bean sprouts isn't more bean sprouts under the soup but a massive portion of thick chewy ramen noodles!  The soup is very thick and oily but clings onto the ramen so well that there is no need to drink the soup separately...  One bite and I was soooo hooked... never have I had ramen this amazing, yup amazing before.  The flavor was so rich and tasty... 

The 2 pieces of Charsui were not the usual thin slices you see at any other ramen shop in Tokyo... These were 2 huge blocks of meat and sooooo tender!  Wow...

Thick and chewy noodles... extremely filling.  

All I can say is that this ramen is as satisfying as a full course meal... never was I so fully content and for 650yen it just added a bit more... only 2 guys run this shop and you know there is some pride in the noodles that could easily command 900+ yen.  But if you go during the summer pls be prepared to sweat inside, the A/C is a bit weak.   Anyways, if you just needed to eat Ramen at one place in Tokyo this is THE place to go.

Shop: Ramen Jiro Jimbocho Branch

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-2pm and 6-9pm. Weds/Sat afternoons closed.

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1310/A131003/13010387/

Address J: 東京都千代田区神田神保町2-4-11

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Kanda, Jimbocho 2-4-11
MAP:

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