Seeking Food - By Ketojinic

We finally make it to Ippudo after having drinks and fries at Frying Pan. Of course, the first thing we do is down a few shots of sake! Check out the ramen underneath the bar counter's glass! Who would have thought instant ramen could be used as decoration? One of my friends orders this and for the life of me I cannot figure out what the heck it is but check out how cute it is! We also get the philly cheesesteak eggrolls and hirata buns, which are very popular with all the carnivores in the group.  The hirata buns are heaven in your mouth. There really isn't enough to go around so get your own! Some people say they are better than momofuku's version. I think it's different. Not as sweet, for sure. As for the veggie lovers in our crowd, the agedashi tofu is one of the most clean and popular starters. It still doesn't beat Raku's version but it comes a close second to me. The Tan Tan Ramen is the special ramen so I have to get ...

Torn between Shin-Sen-Gumi or Spice Table because it is just so dayam hot outside and I'm not the biggest fan of slurping hot ramen in hot weather. But, I am also curious to see if there really is a legit rival in town so that I don't have to wait in Daikokuya's epic line when winter rolls around.  So I did what anyone in my position would do. I tweeted...and waited. Sinosoul tweets back "gumi fo sho." He hates carbs and he said to go here so...Gumi it is! My friend finally joins me and we snag a seat before the lunch crowd comes bursting in. The decor is kawaii in that Japanese cafe style and the seating is intimate. There are tables or you can sit at the counter around the ramen creators. The chandeliers are made out of ramen strainers. Too cute. Inspiring, funny, and seriously, too cute. We decide to share a Sapporo so we can harden up the place a little. The waitress comes over and asks us if we wanted to do a loud toast. We definitely wan...