The Best Food We’ve Had on A Trip: Part 1

Sometimes, we bring home the memory of the taste and the experience of being lucky enough to have had our little pieces of umami heaven.
by Desiree Pore | July 12, 2017

I first experienced the real Japan during my first ever visit in January. As a part of my trip, I made it a quest to experience their culture in the best way I know how — through their food.

While Japan sure has a broad array of specialty dishes, it was Ichiran Ramen’s version of its namesake cuisine that left a lasting mark in my tongue, and in my being.

Ordering the ramen was quite an experience in itself. After all, it required me to customize my own ramen using a vending machine.  There’s a certain novelty and thrill in waiting for a booth to open. I truly appreciated the cook preparing my ramen just for me and having it delivered through your own personal window (each booth has one). It was like eating in my own little room with my beloved ramen and me. You get the intimate picture!

Since it was super cold in Dotonburi during that time, the ramen’s spiciness helped me warm up quite comfortably. Serendipitously merged with the cold weather, the explosion of flavors in my personalized ramen left within me an enduring homey memory that I will forever associate with that particular Osakan branch of Ichiran Ramen. —Raniera, 20

Tainan’s Chicken Curry and Latte Ice Cream (Tainan, Taiwan)