Soy Milk Ramen & Spicy Ramen at Shiba Ramen, Public Market Emeryville, Northern California USA

Soy Milk Ramen, menma, bean sprout, egg, squash $9.5

Spicy Ramen, menma, bok choy, egg, spicy stir fried pork, bean sprout $11

Soy milk ramen feels very light, almost feels like there's no taste. But when I think back, what does it taste like when drinking soy milk? It feels light but almost no taste too. I guess it fits with what soy milk supposed to be without too much artificial flavor.

Spicy Ramen tastes a lot more flavorful right after I had the soy milk ramen. The ground meat is tasty and the broth is not spicy at all. If I can eat this, I am sure all other non-spicy eater can enjoy this "spicy" ramen too.

Clear Ramen & Miso Ramen at Shiba Ramen (Soft Opening), Public Market Emeryville, Northern California USA

Shiba Ramen with Clear Broth, menma, egg, chashu $9

Shiba Ramen with Miso Broth, corn, ground pork, egg, menma, bean sprout $10

Tonight is a soft-opening for Shiba Ramen! Here's all the ramen on their menu: Clear or Miso. Clear is actually very flavorful. The only down-side is that the bowl of ramen is overall warm, not hot. It will be GREAT if they can make a delicious hot bowl of ramen for this type of cold weather! 

Miso ramen is heavier than I thought, but is it still good. (especially for people who love heavier broth type) Along with menma (bamboo shoots) corn, and bean sprouts, the miso ramen is well balanced countering the heavy miso broth. 

Taiyaki at May's Coffee Shop, San Francisco USA

Taiyaki $2

This snack shop is located inside Japan Center. It has a large Taiyaki drawing at the front of shop. There are two flavors: chocolate or red bean. Also, I recommend coming at the morning so you can get fresher Taiyaki. From what the set-up tells me, it seems like they make a bunch in the morning and leave it at the front.

Salmon and Hamachi Bento at Kirala 2, Berkeley USA

Hamachi (Yellow Tail) Bento: Grilled Hamachi, Tamago, veggies cooked with dashi broth, rice $10

Salmon Bento: Grilled Salmon, Tamago, veggies cooked with dashi broth, rice $10

Kirala 2 is located inside "Epicurious Garden." It can be easily found on the right-hand side once you enter the building. Although it is a small space for Kirala, there are constantly at least 3-4 sushi chefs who's making sushi all the time. I once met a Japanese girl while waiting in line and she said their bento is very close to the ones in Toyko, which is where she was from. Their bento box usually includes protein (either grilled fish, chicken, or deep-fried tonkotsu) and large variety of Japanese veggies cooked with fish stock.

Shoyu Ramen at Santouka, San Jose USA

Shoyu Ramen with marinated eggs and ikura don in the back $11.94

Shoyu ramen tastes very similar to the miso, shio, or spicy I had before. (Check out this post about miso ramen) The broth is great, but the noodle can't be compared with Ramen Shop's freshly homemade ramen. I actually enjoy the mini ikura rice more now!  

Miso Ramen at Santouka, San Jose USA

Miso Ramen with Marinated Egg and Ikura Don (Salmon Roe Rice Bowl)

Santouka is located inside a Japanese market called Mitsuwa Marketplace. Their ramen is based on the Hokkaido type of ramen. Their broth is saucy and thick. Topping includes Nori (Seaweed Sheet), Bamboo Shoots, Pork Slices, naruto (Fish Cake), green onions, and sesame seeds. Their noodle is not handmade, and it is very average.