Shoyu, Shio, and Spicy Ramen at Shiba Ramen, Oakland (Northern California) USA

Clear Dark aka Shoyu Ramen

Shiba Ramen opened their second location in Oakland Downtown. I am so glad they finally can serve their ramen at an actual restaurant now. They still have their original shop inside "Emeryville public market," which is a food court that really limits their potential to serve pipping hot ramen. Anyway, I tried three ramen at the new location: Spicy, Clear (Shio), and Clear Dark (aka Shoyu Ramen). Out of all, I highly recommend Clear Dark, which its soup shows the strongest depth in flavor.

Spicy Miso Ramen at 鬼金棒 カラシビ 味噌らー麺 Kikanbo Spicy Ramen, Chiyoda, Tokyo JAPAN

Spicy Miso Ramen Special (Medium Spicy)

The ramen here has really strong sesame aroma. The miso broth has moderate amount of pork fat. Small pieces of ginger can be found, and makes the savory broth really tasty! The chashu meat is extremely soft that melt in your mouth. The spiciness of the ramen came from the spicy oil and sanshou mix. It is the savory type, not that kind you get in American food. (sour type spiciness)

Miso ramen (Non-spicy)

If you have a cat tongue 猫舌 (sensitive tongue on hot or spicy food), you can order a non-spicy ramen too, which the quality doesn't drop at all. 

Photo by 全国ラーメン食べ歩き情報

The Japanese name of the store is called "鬼金棒 カラシビ 味噌らー麺," translates to "Demon Kanabo Kara Shibi Miso Ramen." Kanabo is the spiky truncheon that demons are holding at all the time. And then what's Kara and Shibi? It is what this ramen shop is special for, their level of spiciness. The spiciness of the ramen is actually based on two things: your level of Kara (the regular hot) and your level of Shibi (the shop's special Sanshou mix - Sanshou 山椒 is a Japanese spice that is very similar to Sichuan Pepper, and is often used on charbroiled unagi)

Great noodle for slurping and tsukemen!

The ramen noodles they use are thicker and I realized it's so easy to slurp, which makes it great for tsukemen noodle. (Their tsukemen shop is around the corner)

Black Sesame Oil & Red Spicy Tantanmen at JTAN, Tokyo JAPAN

Red Spicy Tantanmen  900 yen

Black Sesame Oil Tantanmen 850 yen

Although the chashu (roasted pork slices) are tough, both black & red tantanmens were good overall. They are still better than most ramen I've had in the States, but not better than Oakland's Ramen Shop's Spicy Tantanmen. 

Katsu Curry at Curry Zen, Las Vegas USA

Katsu Curry $8.95

In Berkeley, I think Muracci's has pretty good curry with their fried katsu (chicken) and tonkatsu (pork cutlet). In Las Vegas, I found that Curry Zen is another nice spot for a comfortable meal of Japanese curry rice.

I ordered a Katsu curry rice plate, which is great! The katsu is fried with thin layer of batter (that doesn't detach from the meat!) it is crispy outside, yet tender inside. The curry I got is non-spicy, which obviously you can adjust the level of spiciness you want from the menu below.

level of spiciness!

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.

Spicy Shrimp Tantanmen at Ramen Shop, Oakland USA

Spicy Shrimp Tantanmen $17.5

I am not a spicy food-eater, so I was very glad that the spicy shrimp tantanmen is something that I can truly enjoy. I can finally taste the chili oil and the spice that were simmered in the broth. This is one of the few times that I am very happy with a spicy dish.

Mixing with white parts of leeks and other veggies, this spicy tantanmen is something that I would love to come back and try it again and again.

Shio and Spicy Miso Ramen at Ramen Shop, Oakland USA

Shio Ramen

Ramen Shop always have the best presentation for their ramen. Since the day I was introduced to Ramen Shop by Jason, I just can't stop coming back at least twice a week for a hot bowl of Shio Ramen. Their marinated egg has a very beautiful orange yolk color. Mixture of green onions and cabbages taste satisfying with the Shio broth. 

Spicy Miso Ramen

Their Spicy Miso Ramen has a thick-texture broth that compiles both the miso paste with chili oil. There's also a subtle hint of ginger.