Ten-ichi Ginza Honten (2 Michelin Stars)

People laugh when I tell them the first meal I had upon arriving in Japan was at Tenkaippin. But I stand by my love of their ramen, with the thick "koteri" soup that weighs down every bowl. Mix in the complimentary chili-garlic paste with a sprinkle of white pepper on top and you have yourself one hell of a tasty meal!

Yes, "Ten-Ichi" is a chain, but it's a GOOD chain. Better than a lot of the other expanding ramen shops out there. I've been eating at their counters for the last 24 years and it's just as good as it was two decades ago when I has my first bowl. Consistency is key! I even made a pilgrimage to the original shop in Kyoto a few years back, where they still make everything by hand, and while it was as delicious as expected, they are so meticulous about every shop maintaining the same level of quality, the differences were ever so slight.

JT220913 Ten ichI Celebration