Today i got out to Harajuku and although the original purpose was to visit as part of the JR Yamanote Line tour i ended up cutting it short for a few reasons, weather and a hangover being the main 2 though.
I was hoping to get out there on a clear blue skies day, instead it was overcast and started to rain. There were far too many people for me to handle and not enough on the bridge.
Instead of wandering around, i followed the recommendation of a few people from my local bar last night, the scene of the crime, and headed to Jangara Ramen a famous Ramen shop so i’m told. With no real idea of where it was it took me 20 minutes to find it, when i did and i sat down to my Ramen i was well pleased i did.
I’ll be back to try something a little hotter next time but for today i went the Miso Ramen, with Chashew, Egg and extra onion.
Anyone looking for Jangara Ramen – if you head for the bridge turn left instead of going to right to Meiji Jingu and start walking down the hill you’ll see it on the left hand side.
There’s an upstairs restaurant as well as a down stairs one in the Harajuku area. I got there a little before 12 and when i left the line up had started.
Once inside it’s a hive of activity and Jangara Ramen is the quickest Ramen shop i’ve been too. I had a little difficulty with ordering from the menu seeing as it’s themed with varietes like Kyushu Jangara, Bonshan, Mugichan which meant nothing to me.
The guy taking the orders spoke pretty good english and understood my request for Miso, chashew, negi, tamago no problem.
If you want you can check out their webpage before you go and also not restrict yourself to the Harajuku shop, they have other shops including Akihabara and Kanda. Jangara Ramen is on my list of top Ramen shops well worth a visit.
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Looks delicious! When I hit Harajuku, I usually do Brazilian and Mexican.
Neil, you seem to eat out A LOT. Have you ever tried cooking the Japanese food? I’m just curious
-Mike
Now why would i want to go and do that Mike?! No, i don’t cook, not interested … quicker, cheaper and easier to eat out.
Top ramen shops, eh? I’ll have to try it.
Cheaper to eat out? Now I’m certain Japan is a strange country
I’ve never been to a country where it is cheaper to eat out than cook for yourself.
You need to factor in cost of the groceries, which often there’s wastage when cooking for 1 and even in Australia i found it cheaper to eat out each night. Not only is there cost associated with going to the grocery store there’s time which for me has a price, a high price. Time to buy the food, time to prepare it, time to clean up afterwards. I’ll take the eat out option everynight …. and i do.
I will raise this thread from the dead to say that I am a cheap, CHEAP bastard who cooks most of his own food, and I’ve got it down to about 70 yen per meal for breakfast and lunch.
There may well be more frugal fucks than myself out there, but I think this isn’t so bad.