I have a slightly embarrassing confession to make: I have been in Japan for nearly two weeks, and only today did I eat ramen for the first time.
Can you blame me though, really? With udon noodles, tempura, and sushi to sample, I have hardly had time to squeeze in a taste of the famous dish in between all my travels! Having a bit of a break in my touring schedule, however, I decided that it was about time I rectified the gap in my culinary experiences. Kyoto is where my ramen deficiency ends.
Strolling around the Gion area on my first evening, I passed a tiny hole in the wall. It was packed with patrons shoveling in steaming soup and glistening noodles. It looked like the kind of spot within which I wanted my first experience of the hallowed meal to be, so I made a mental note to return. How glad I am that I did. Ramen NON may not be particularly big, or even very well known by travellers, but what it lacks in fame it makes up for in flavor and service. I slunk in rather tentatively, unsure of the ramen restaurant etiquette, and slightly nervous about trying the dish for the first time. What if I ate it incorrectly? What if I hated it? Would the Japanese government somehow know, and have me deported for deploring their national treasure? It was an all-round anxious affair.
Immediately, however, the friendly staff made me feel at ease in this uncharted territory. I was seated at the sleek mahogany counter and I proceeded to order their best bowl.The chef began to expertly assemble what I was later told was their special soy-based ramen. Noodles were tossed in the air, eggs were boiled, broths were scooped and seaweed was garnished, all within the space of minutes. The final product that was placed before me was a work of art. It was also enormous. Noticing that I was unsure of how to tackle the dish, the kindly waiter showed me how to gobble the roast pork, slurp the soup and devour the noodles. No one sighed when I needed a fork to cut the egg. No one laughed when I inhaled too hard on a noodle and got hot soup in my eye. In fact, I was given nothing but perfect service and a warm reception. As for the ramen, I am hooked. Thank heavens I have a few more weeks left in this country. If it all is as good as the dish I had at Ramen NON, I intend to eat it every day.
If you find yourself in the Gion area and are after something fast, delicious and reasonable, look no further than this warm little spot. It will have you dreaming of salty soup and tender roasted pork for days.
