The most fun of any activity or pursuit is the beginning, not knowing how things will turn out, curiosity without a road map. In this respect, beginnings are also humbling as folks have to admit having no idea regarding something they’re truly excited about.

My first [real] ramen experience was about a year ago at Biwa. It was fantastic, but it was the third dinner of that particular night on our first trip to Portland.  We sought to soak up as much experience as we could, our stomachs and livers be damned. So, it was a long night of frequent stops to eat and drink, but I remember delicious noodles in salty broth; they also prepared a plate of scallops in sake lees. Yum! There was a lot going on that trip, but I remember a note-to-self moment: “put ramen on the list of things to contemplate later.”

A friend of mine Jesse Bates and I were drinking beer last week.  He said he wanted to check out Wafu; he heard it might be good. He knows a lot more about ramen than I, he’s had some really great ramen in his life, been to Japan and all that. So off we went.

I wouldn’t know how authentic Wafu’s ramen is; how would I?  Even reading all about ramen in Lucky Peach, David Chang’s inaugural quarterly, isn’t going to make me an expert. Actually, it does the opposite; I realize how little I know.  Is authentic ramen really what I should be looking for? Can it exist here in the USA? Those are questions for the experts. So the real question is: what did I think of Wafu’s ramen? The ramen at Wafu was so good, the very next day I wanted to go back and eat it again. I’ve been twice now, having ordered the pork bone ramen and the Wafu ramen.  I will soon be back again.

Pork Bone Ramen with ginger pork sausage and slow poached egg 

Wafu Ramen with pork belly, slow poached egg and confit chicken leg 

I’m a ramen fan, very late in the game, but a fan all the same and at the very beginning of the journey. Everything is new. Everything is delicious. Everything is an education. I have no level of discernment, I have to admit. I don’t know what I’m doing, only that I’m enjoying the trip, finding pleasure in what I’m sensing, smelling, tasting and above all compelled to learn more about it and to respect the endeavor of the folks bringing it.

I have to advocate picking up a copy of Lucky Peach, particularly this ramen issue. It’s provocative, educational, funny and smart; the art direction rocks; and it’s well worth the ten-bucks.  You might not agree with everything that’s said in it and isn’t that refreshing?

Anthony Garcia
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine