I am not the pack leader

All I can say is, "selective hearing."

Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen

Let's roll back time to Spring 2002 when Edwin and I decided to rent a car for a road trip to LA. We spent approximately five days there. We met up with my cousins who introduced us to Shin-Sen-Gumi, a Japanese restaurant. I was told they were known for their Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen, a pork and ginger flavored soup with various toppings you can add. The noodles were freshly made. You could order the noodles hard, medium or soft. We actually saw the noodles being made and cooked which made me even more excited. Once I tasted the soup and asked for a second helping of noodles, I knew my quest for finding it in Houston would begin once we drove back a few days later.

So time now equals a few days ago. Oishii was again busy with a long wait and no parking. So naturally, option II was in effect. As we drove down 59 towards Bellaire I remembered Kubo's Cafe was open. When we walked in, it was surprisingly cute and casual. We stood around like dorks until we saw the "order here" sign at the counter. What do I see on the counter as a new item on the menu? Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen ($6.99). Are you freaking kidding me? I thought, "I should keep my expectations low." You know what happens when someone tells you something is really good? You expect too much and then you get disappointed. And then, you remember it. "Remember when so-and-so told you to try that dish or that restaurant and it was just "eh...ok"? Yeah, let's not rush over there to try it today."

The smell of the soup brought back memories of the many times I visited Shin-Sen-Gumi. The soup was extremely hot but flavorful. The noodles was almost the same but since I haven't had the dish since September 2009 I couldn't really tell there was a big difference. The cha-shu was round and tender with some fat. Fresh was evident and surprisingly delightful. I was quite surprised. Even to the bottom of the bowl, the noodles and soup were worth the wait for the find. Though the soup was a tad on the salty side at the end, I walked away wanting more even though I was stuffed. All these years of looking for Japanese food that didn't include sushi and this is what becomes of my search. AWESOME!

I won't be waiting for Southwest's LA flights to go on sale so I can go visit Shen-Sin-Gumi (and my brother and cousins)... that also doesn't mean I won't stop by if I'm in the area.

*Available at Kubo's in the Rice Village ($8.50) during lunch and after 5pm at Kubo's Cafe ($6.99).

Update: I was really curious if Kubo's in Rice Village would be as good or the same as Kubo's Cafe on Bellaire. Unfortunately it is not. For some reason the broth is not as flavorful. I found that disappointing since I was looking forward to having lunch there sometimes. On a brighter note, Kubo's Cafe does serve it all day during the weekend. Even if the noodles don't seem as fresh as Shin-Sen-Gumi, it's still pretty damn good.















Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen @ Kubo's Rice Village

What's in your head?

• I wish my dogs would stop peeing in their cage.
• Hmm... what else can I throw away in this storage room?
  
• Just one more episode of The Big Bang Theory and I'll head out to work.
  
• Not much traffic today surprisingly with all this rain
• I guess I'll park in my option 2 spot
• Man I'm hungry. Is it lunchtime yet?
• That's weird, my image for HoustonGrows actually loaded last night. It kept giving me an error. Stupid Facebook lag.
• Ugh... it may snow tonight.
  
• Nice article about Google Buzz vs. Facebook vs MySpace vs Twitter
  
• Nice, Nick Anderson kept the door open for me.
• Maggie Ritas is packed. It's weird people are sitting so low to the ground now. I remember when they were looking down on my head.
• What to eat? What's hot? What can I eat with a spoon/fork/chopsticks?
• What's worse? Not knowing what to eat or wondering in the tunnels saying "no, no, no" to places you pass? No wonder I frustrate Edwin.
• Chicken or Beef? ooh... Chicken with shrimp or chicken with beef?
  
• Where's your head at? Basement Jaxx
• What's in your head? in your head? Zombie Zombie Zombie eh eh eh oh oh oh ... Cranberries
• When emerging from an eatery inside the tunnels, it is always wise to slowly walk out while looking left and right for traffic and unaware talkers, phone users and cart pushers.
• Whoa, keep to the right else confuse the heck out of people walking. Tunnel Tips... I should write a blog about it?
• Is anyone walking behind me?
• Oh Rodeo tickets... correction carnival tickets. Concert tickets? Who's playing? Do I want to go? hmm... fried oreos... yeeeeeeeeees
• Alex, where'd you go? ... wait, how come you never want to lunch with me?
• Who's chatty on twitter?
• More how to-s about Google Buzz
• Eww... what is that? fat? no, it's meat ... ok. I don't eat fat.

Shinjy's mad

My friend foolishly asked me to feed her cat while she's away. I said. "Sure, that can't be hard." I don't have to take him out for a walk. I was told Shinjy, her cat, was shy. I'm asthmatic so that cuts down too long of a stay. So, I go over one morning so my friend can train me... location of food, water intake and waste procedures. Hello! Easy!

The first night, Wednesday, was as expected. I walk in to look for Shinjy. I say hello and introduce myself and inform Shinjy of my duties. I fill the bowl with food and then see if he will interact with me. He peeked his head out but then quickly hid. Maybe it was my breathe ... it's not. I'll try again the next day I told Shinjy. Have a good night!

So today I'm thinking, "Awesome! Today is Friday." Work was going well and I was heading home soon. Then I looked at the little animal figures that "watch" me as I work. Oh holy crap of kitty cat fur! I forgot about Shinjy yesterday! Cheese! He's going to be so pissed.

Fast forward to Shinjy's kingdom. I walk in and I'm quickly greeted by Shinjy. I say "greeted" but I really mean "SCOLDED." Shinjy was not happy with me. "You irresponsible little girl. I thought you knew your duties. Follow me." He leads me to his bowl. Of course it's empty and I'm totally ashamed and embaressed. Shinjy turns and gives me "the look." I grab his food and start filling the bowl as he waits and all the while I'm apologizing over and over. I'll find out tomorrow if he forgives me.

Easy, I said. Right? Kharma is what it is. Easy if my old ass can remember!

Update: Shinjy was not happy with me. I brought Edwin over to visit Saturday. Shinjy is done with me. So... that's that. Remember, I said it was easy.