022 The Kannana Ramen Wars with Abram aka Ramen Beast and Keizo Shimamoto

Joined by friends of the pod, Abram Plaut and Keizo Shimamoto!  First we discuss Keizo's new position as Director of Innovation at Myojo Noodle (0:44) Abram also shares updates on MENSHO's activities in the US (9:00). The guys also discuss the new trend in Japan of Ramen Vending Machines with frozen noodle kits (15:13). Will this be a thing??

We get into the background of Kannana (33:40), a 50km road arcing around Tokyo  that is dotted with Ramen shops. This stretch of road heated up in the 80's in 90's, with legendary shops leaving their mark on the Ramen history.

Before jumping into shops on Kannana, we start with Hope Ken Honpo in Kichijoji (39:36), which introduced Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen to Tokyo. We discuss how shops from the extended tree of Hope Ken Honpo went on to be major players in the Kannana boom. We get into Kannana legends Tosakko, OG Seabura Chacha-kei spot (47:20) and Nandenkanden (56:48). We also discuss present day Kannana and some notable shops (1:08:58).

Guest Links:

https://www.instagram.com/goramen/
https://www.myojousa.com/

http://www.ramenbeast.com/