SHINUKU GOLDEN GAI: Nagi for fish broth ramen... it was powerful~ Super friendly staff!!

I'm the biggest fan of Futomen (Thick Chewy Noodle) ramen and I discovered Ramen Nagi ラーメン 凪 新宿煮干 新宿ゴールデン街店 randomly via Ramen Adventures website.

Buy your ticket before lining up!

We peeked in the alley way next to the ramen shop and there was a line... nice older Japanese guy said yup we gotta line up way in the back.  But was a very short wait... maybe 15min?  

We were greeted with this! Super smiley friendly ramen chef... this place was soooo welcoming.

Friendly Japanese guy took the corner seat so I could have a view of the Ramen Chef in action.

2 very kind girls to my right... all smiles. 

Unique chopsticks :)

A solid brick of a Char-siu.  If you are not into fish soup based ramen this spot can be a bit overbearing.  I'm more of a Tonkotsu (pork soup ramen) kinda guy bit this was a great change of pace.  The foodie ranking is a very respectable 3.58pts http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13054766/

Thick chewy noodles! YUM!!

Tight space for the staff

All counter seating.

One of the friendly staff... everyone here was just too cool.

Met a few fellow ramen lovers downstairs... Overall would I go back... absolutely!  Ramen Adventures commented "Perfection"... and I'd have to agree a very memorable experience! Go go go!!

Restaurant: Ramen Nagi

Nagi Website: http://www.n-nagi.com/

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13054766/

Address J: 東京都新宿区歌舞伎町1-1-10 2F

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Kabukicho 1-1-20, 2F
MAP:

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ラーメン, つけ麺, tsukemen, golden gai, bar, noodles, tokyo, japan, foodie, Sony Nex-C3

SHINJUKU GOLDEN GAI: Brian Bar G. with the outlawed Absinthe

After a few drinks at Terry's favorite watering hole San-Tsubo we headed into neighboring Brian Bar for some...

... yup ...

Outlawed in the USA... Absinthe~.  Was my very first time to try this... a very smooth liquorice flavored drink.  Was expecting something a bit deadly but even a sweet gal would enjoy this.

Counter seating for about 8 people... and 2nd floor has one small room that can fit about 5. 

If you have an iPhone they'll let you hook up your tunes to the system.

My pickled veggies (automatically comes out) and the Absinthe.

Looking down at the counter seating from 2F.

Definitely one of the friendlier bars and everyone inside seemed to be a regular... If you are lost in the maze that is Golden-Gai why not stop by Brian Bar?  The kicker is as with nearly all the bars in this area there is an entrance fee...1,000yen for Brian Bar but this can range from 500 - 2000yen depending on the shop.

Shop: Brian Bar - Shinjuku Golden Gai

Shop Website: http://www.apits.net/brianen.html

Hotpepper (COUPON): http://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000723519/

Address J: 東京都新宿区歌舞伎町1-1-8 新宿ゴールデン街 花園一番街

Address E: Tokyo, Shinkuku-ku, Kabukicho 1-1-8
MAP:

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