From Sardines to Spicy Miso: A 3-Course Ramen Feast for Less than $11!

It was a chilly evening in Hiroshima last night, and I was hungry and wanted something comforting and filling to eat...

Where better than my local ramen restaurant, "Dossanko Ramen"?

I've blogged about this place before, but every time I go there Mama-san serves up a complimentary starter dish. The amazing thing is that it is something different every single time, and unfailingly delicious every time as well.

Last night was no exception. After serving my regular bottle of Kirin Lager, Mama-san came back with a dish of soused sardine served with pickled ginger and a sour plum. She asked me if I'd be okay with sour plum, and the answer I gave was a resounding YES! Down the hatch it went in short order. Japanese sour plum certainly wakes you up, and it might even put some hair on your chest.

Next came Mama-san's cha-han (yaki-meshi, or fried rice). It's a simple but satisfying dish of stir-fried rice with egg and chopped vegetables, served with some red pickled ginger. The key to getting the full benefit of the slightly smoky flavour is to wolf it down while it's still hot.

Meanwhile, Master was cooking the main course - miso ramen. Last night's miso ramen had a bit more of a kick to it than usual. I wonder is Master had decided to spice it up now the weather is getting colder.

I order cha-han, miso-ramen, and bottled Kirin Lager almost every time I go to Dossanko Ramen. It's my favourite combination, comfortingly familiar, and yet never exactly the same because of the amazing variety of complimentary first course dishes that Mama-san serves up, and slight seasonal variations to the main dishes.

How much did this feast set me back? All of ¥1,650, which is just $10.63 USD at today's exchange rate!

I strolled home feeling as warm as toast and stuffed to the gills with goodness.

Cheers!

David Hurley
#InspiredFocus

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