While sushi is considered to be the quintessential Japanese food, walking around Japan you'll often find just as many (or more!) ramen shops. The capital of the Tohoku region, Sendai, is no exception. The problem the ramen lover runs into is whether he or she should stay with a ramen restaurant he or she loves, or risk going to a new restaurant with little information beforehand. Also, the price of 600-800 yen for your average bowl of the good stuff means it is on the cheaper side for eating out but just pricey enough that most people wouldn't go out for ramen too often. What should one do when their taste buds begin tickling and stomach starts rumbling? The noodle gods have listened to their subjects and created a miracle in the form of a book released late November 2014. It's time to a take an express trip to the nearest ramen restaurant with the Sendai Ramen Ticket.
The Ramen Ticket is a book modeled directly after the wildly successful Sendai Lunch Passport. The basic idea is by buying this book through the website, bookstore, or even some convenient stores for 1080 yen, you'll be able to take advantage of near limitless discounts on ramen restaurants throughout the entire city. You'll be offered the same exact ramen or ramen set meal other customers can purchase for regular price, but with the book you get it for just 500 yen, tax included! The book features large pictures and information, plus directions/map of the restaurant (Japanese only). Each restaurant can be visited up to three times during the eligibility period of each current Ramen Ticket volume. The usability is generally about three months per volume. Unlike the Sendai Lunch Passport which only offers their meals during lunch hours, most ramen restaurants in the book have special hours during lunch and dinner. So there are more chances to eat, and more chances to eat more. The times you can use the Ramen Ticket vary at each ramen shop, so check it carefully on the corresponding page in the book. However, with over 70 participating restaurants, you should always be able to find a nearby restaurant when your cravings hit.
With just three or four visits out to eat ramen with the Ramen Ticket, you can save the money you spent on the book. But it's not all about money. What better way to explore a city than through your stomach?
