A visit to Ramenya is like dropping in on your platonic best friend. Sure, she’s just your default when you don’t have a date to the concert, but anything can happen with a shoulder to cry on and a few bottles of biiru at the ready! Right? Right?!!

Vaunted chef Yasuji Morizumi was the force behind Chabuya and Chabuton. Now he also has Kurofune - an assari-kei chain - to his name. Does the so-called “TV champion” of ramen have what it takes, or is Kurofune just another dead pixel on your widescreen?

With so many assari-kei ramen shops in Southern California, how does Eboshi Noodle Bar stack up? A favorite of many Japanese ex-pats, is it better than the rest, or are you better off elsewhere?

Aesthetics are everything at Wagamama UK. Rameniac takes a break from his Japan coverage to hop clear across the globe. Teleporting across the space-time continuum can be so much fun!

Taishoken higashi-ikebukuro will be closing its doors for good come February 2007! Journey with rameniac as he investigates this hugely influential shop, where tsukemen dipping-style ramen was first invented. We’ll miss you, Yamagishi-san!

Find me an island of tranquility amidst a sea of Shibuya ganguro gals, and I’ll find you a full stomach at Kiraku Ramen! Parapara revolution!

Rameniac sneaks his brand-new camera into Tokyo’s depot of decadence, Kyushu Jangara Ramen. When last he tried this, he was told no pictures. Playing up the baka gaijin this time around, he finally captures the experience of dining in Akihabara’s hottest ramen shop. Point-and-shoot for all the sordid details!

Rameniac lands in Japan and immediately makes for the nearest ramen shop! Does he get lucky on his first night in town? Click here to find out!

When high-concept Chabuya opened amid promises of a “premium” ramen experience, Rameniac began stalking the place with some seriously great expectations. Do a pedigree chef, quality organic ingredients and swanky decor a perfect bowl of ramen make? Read more to find out!

Reseda, CA was the fictional home to Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso, a.k.a. Karate Kid. Would they be waxing nostalgic for Ramen Nippon, or catching flies with their chopsticks and hitting Arby’s across the street?

Takeshi Ramen is a suprising oasis of upturned parasols in suburban Glendale, CA. But Brand Boulevard is pronounced “bland” in Japanese! Can ramen survive in this corner of Los Angeles, across the street from a California Pizza Kitchen? 

A cold, neo-noir vibe inhabits old Mr. Ramen. If Raymond Chandler were alive, he might well be penning novels over a half-eaten side of fried rice and a few pieces of gyoza. Get ready for the shoyu showdown in Little Tokyo!