February 2004 Archives
There was an interesting editorial on the current issue of BusinessWeek (March 1, 2004, p. 56) titled, "Pyongyang: Will Its Recovery Speed a Deal?" by Rose Brady. This is on the report by several American Asian experts who visited North Korea in January.
The bustling, 500-stall private market on Pyongyang's Tong Il Street ... where North Koreans can now buy everything from food to pirated videocassettes of South Korean soap operas ...
I find this very promising although the article discusses about whether the current Bush Administration's hard-line wait-till-it-implodes attitude will every work. Not that I don't think so, but I found it extremely interesting and promising that the foreign observers were able to see that pirated South Korean TV shows were circulated.
On one hand, I think it's hopeful that this can be used to bridge some of the cultural gaps between the two Koreas. But on the other hand, I am worried that all the twisted problems that some of the soap operas portray would be all that North Koreans think of the South.
I am really glad that the economic situation in North Korea is getting better. It's always nice to have non-desperate people as your neighbor.
368 Castro Street
Mountain View, CA
650.564.9931
M-Th: 11:30 - 14:30 / 17:00 - 22:00
F: 11:30 - 14:30 / 17:00 - 23:00
Sat: 11:30 - 22:30
Sun: 11:30 - 21:00
While doing a web search, I came across this name recently. It seems the shop is really new. It probably opened this year, or December last year at the earliest.
I've heard that it is run by the same guy who runs Sushi Maru, so I guess this means that more people see the opportunity and maybe this will make restaurant ramen more popular.
MaruIchi Noodle House is in downtown Mountain View, where Ryowa Ramen is. It's a bit away from Ryowa and since it is new, it doesn't seem to draw as many people yet.
The location used to be a Vietnamese restaurant and it seems they've inherited most of the stuff. Although it has several TVs showing some taped Japanese programs, the decor is definitely not traditional. There is no "bar" as one might expect and it is all tables.
One nice thing is that most of those seatings are diner-like booth seats. There are about 13 or so booth seatings with some regular tables, so the seating wouldn't be a much problem.
Its main menu is, of course, ramen that comes in three flavors (tonkotsu/pork, shouyu/soy sauce, and miso/soy bean paste). You can add several toppings for a buck or two. The soup is, I think, on par with Ryowa. But I liked Maru Ichi's selection of toppings.
They also have Maruichi Ramen, which is a tonkotsu ramen with stewed pork (as well as regular chashu) and spice cod roes. I think the stewed pork if very good and those who like the same thing from Santa should enjoy it as well. (But if you like some other soup flavor, for the same price you can add stewed pork and spicy cod roes to the basic ramen.) Anyway, this probably means that I don't have to drive up to Santa as much. :)
Other than ramen and some set menus, they have udon and stuff, but I haven't tried them. All their menu price includes sales tax, which I though was a good thing.
Each table has a container of kimchee a la Ryowa. It is less spicy Japanese stuff, not the real Korean ones, but it's good not to be charged extra. There is also a bottle of roasted shavings of garlic that you can put in the soup. I thought this was an excellent idea.
The food is good and the ramen is good. I don't mind the non-traditional decor and stuff. My problem is that the shop is not visible from outside! The shop name is on top of the entrance, but there is small roof (?) that blocks it unless you are on the other side of the street.
I think they can do a lot better business by putting up the rod and the shop "curtain" thingy (I don't know what that's called) outside the entrance. Maybe put "RAMEN" on the window or something.
375 Saratoga Ave. Suite M
San Jose, CA
408.246.3933
M/T/Th/F: 11:30 - 13:30 / 18:00 - 21:30
W: Closed
Sat: 11:30 - 14:00 / 18:00 - 21:30
Sun: 11:30 - 14:00 / 17:00 - 20:00
This seems to be the latest ramen-ya in the South Bay. From their website, Ramen Halu (ラメン晴) opened in early 2003. I came across the name while "researching" for other entries and we decided to try it out.
It is not too far from Tokushima Ramen Dohenkotsu. It seems the place draws quite a few crowd and I think it will draw a nice contrast to slightly different styles of ramen.
The shop has a small counter (seating maybe 5 or so) and about 9 tables. There is a signing sheet inside the shop. I guess the owner likes surfing because there are a couple of boards up on the wall.
They have three flavors: Halu (pork), Tokyo (soy sauce), and Shio (salt). You can add more toppings (e.g., chashu). Actually chashu looked leanest.
The interesting thing about the place was the noodle. Halu ramen comes with thicker ones and the others with thinner ones. The thicker ones are thicker than those found in other places. I really liked the thicker ones. I didn't care that much for the thinner ones.
For dinner they seem to have some more appetizers, but mostly, it's only for ramen like most other places.
