the canDIshhh tales

We fell in love with Ichiran Ramen when we visited Tokyo last year .  And since learning that we would be going to Osaka - I made sure to know where Ichiran was in Osaka.  It was going to be a sure restaurant to eat at, no matter what.  It was along the Dotonbori River - I looked at the map online and saw that it was fairly in the same area as our hotel, Fraser Residences.  I informed my Panget that it might be a long walk - but we knew that wherever it was - we had to dine there again. And two Tuesdays ago - it happened.  It rained the whole day that Tuesday - and I was telling myself that getting to Ichiran was quite impossible.  But when I asked my Panget and my friend Selene - well, they both said to go ahead with the plan.   Bahala na! So we walked it - while it was drizzling.  Imagine a good 15 minute walk to the Dotonbori River.  It was no joke.  We had to cross three (3) major roads to get to Dotonbori River.  The kids, ...

Enjoy you ramen in isolation, that is what I thought of Ichiran Ramen. Its apparently a chain of restaurants around Tokyo - and they serve only ONE dish.  Yes, you read that right - just one dish - and that is the Tonkotsu Ramen.  You can though, make it to your exact liking because they let you fill out a form that will determine the exact outcome of your ramen. Ordering food in Tokyo was a bit odd, but when you think about it - it makes sense!  They use a VENDO machine to accept all the payments and to get your orders.  This eliminates theft with regards to money - and eliminates one less person to man the cashier. We queued for about 15 minutes then, you are met at the entrance by a vendo machine where you will pick your order - it will spit out tickets - which you will then give when you are seated:  After paying for your meals, you are given a form to fill out: After filling it out, you then wait to be seated.  Mind you - its count...