A food enthusiast explores the diverse world of ramen in Tokyo, Japan, visiting various restaurants and trying unique flavors. He is accompanied by a ramen expert, Frank, who shares his knowledge of the dish. They visit a small restaurant where they try "dry" ramen, with noodles and broth served separately, and then head to Ramen Nagi, where they try a pork-based broth with squid ink and other toppings. The next stop is a laboratory-style ramen restaurant, where they try a spicy, sticky broth made with fermented broad beans and chili paste. Finally, they visit Menya Fujishiro, known for its creamy chicken ramen.
Throughout the episode, the host learns about the different components of a good ramen, including the broth, noodles, and toppings. He also discovers the variety of ramen styles and flavors available in Tokyo and develops an appreciation for the art of creating the perfect bowl of ramen.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Tokyo, Japan is a popular destination for food, with 17 million foreign visitors coming to try ramen noodles every year.
2. The narrator is joined by a ramen expert named Frank, who has tried over 500 ramen shops in Tokyo.
3. There are approximately 3,000 to 4,000 ramen shops in Tokyo.
4. The narrator and Frank visit several ramen shops, including Ramen Nagi, Menya Fujishiro, and a shop with a "Tokyo laboratory" theme.
5. Ramen Nagi is known for its porky broth, which is made by boiling pork bones for several days.
6. Menya Fujishiro is known for its creamy chicken ramen, which is made with premium-grade chicken from the mountains of Tolstoi Prefecture.
7. The narrator learns about different types of ramen, including "pi time" ramen, which is a style of ramen that originated in Japan.
8. Many ramen shops in Tokyo use vending machines to take orders, which can be confusing for tourists who don't speak Japanese.
9. The narrator and Frank try different toppings and broths at each shop, including squid ink, spicy miso, and coriander.
10. The tour is organized by a company called Tokyo by Food, which offers over 75 food experiences in Tokyo.
11. For each person who makes a reservation for a tour, the company donates enough food to feed 10 people in Cambodia.
12. The narrator recommends a company called One Trip for tours in Vietnam, which offers food tours, adventure tours, and more.