I’ve managed not to break anything this week.
It’s an improvement over last week.
I actually did something to take care of myself – I went to the acupuncturist. As I’m tying this, I realize I should have taken a pic of my back. She cupped me and it looks like I was attacked by an octopus. #hurtssogood
Instead, the above is the pic of the blue cheese olive martini and lobster sliders I had after my session. Vegas joined me after she finished her session.
That was Monday though. Below is what I ate yesterday, including one of the best meals in recent memory! Be sure to link up to Jenn’s WIAW baby at the bottom!
Breakfast:
Vegas is back in town, so my half cup of black coffee was delivered bedside. Then I got up and made our morning cocktails.
That was followed by my new obsession – Avocado Toast with Dukkah. I literally cannot get enough of this spice blend!
Lunch:
After the gym, Vegas and I crossed an item off of my bucket list – ramen from Menya Ultra. The chef/owner has received awards in Japan, been written up in Eater, and visited by Andrew Zimmerman. The wait times can be intense at the San Diego branch, but it’s worth the hype.
We were told the gyoza is amazing, so we started with that. Our source was correct. I think this might be the only time in my life I’ve had gyoza that wasn’t frozen!
After eating way too many of those, I processed to eat way too much of my bowl of ramen. The noodles are made in-house. The broth is the perfect umami flavor. So addicting that you cannot stop eating it. You won’t want to stop eating it!
I ordered the classic: Tonkotsu Ramen. It’s in a rich soup of pork broth, soy sauce, and fish oil.
Vegas went with the Miso Ramen. It was equally good, but the flavor was totally different.
In the miso version, the pork broth is flavored with housemade miso, fish oil, and garlic oil.
Let’s talk about noodles though. At Menya Ultra they close between 3 and 5:30 pm to make fresh noodles. That’s how fresh these noodles are. All 55 pounds of them per day. That’s a TON of noodles!
The dough is simple – just alkaline water, salt, and a special flour imported from Hokkaido, Japan. That special flour must be the special sauce because the noodles are perfect. Flavorful, light, and almost bouncy.
This video about how the noodles are made is mesmerizing.
Dinner:
HAHAHAHA! That was a GIANT bowl of ramen late in the afternoon. Vegas and I came home and plopped on the couch for the rest of the evening. There were a few dark chocolate squares consumed though. 😉
[Tweet “This handmade ramen is drool-worthy! #WIAW”]
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I could literally eat that ramen every day.
Have you ever had handmade ramen?
Are you a martini fan? I always order one if they have good olives!
The umami factor on that miso ramen sounds out of this world! I’ve been on antibiotics for the past 2 weeks and could really go for a good drink. Haha I’m not usually a martini drinker but wish I could grab one from the screen—it looks so refreshing!
I will only drink them if I have good vodka and freshly stuff blue cheese olives. At that point, it’s perfection!
Wow that food looks amazing. I have never made ramen but it is mesmerizing watching it being made. Im glad you didn’t break anything or get a knee boner this week. LOL
never mind, I can’t. Sorry about that.
Fixed it! 😉
That gyoza does look amazing! As does the avocado toast. 🙂
Thanks!. I usually don’t love gyoza, but that stuff was unreal!
Whoa!!! That all looks so amazing!! I’m actually really interested in the acupuncture too. I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now…the cupping, not so much – ouch!!
You should!!! Cupping is the BEST for tight muscles. It’s like a massage… from an octopus. 😉
Yum that ramen looks amazing. I have yet to try ramen that’s not a $0.20 package, lol. And really need to change that. And yay for acupuncture, I’ve always wanted to try it.
HA! This is a HUGE upgrade from the college delicacy. 😉
Ah ramen…I need some!
I bet you can get some amazing bowls over there!
I rarely eat out for ramen, but it’s so much better fresh and from a ramen shop. I should do it more.
So true! I won’t eat the cheap stuff anymore. #spoiled
So glad you didn’t break anything this week! That avocado toast looks delish! And generally there are chunks of dark chocolate consumed here in the evenings too. 😉
I wish I could say the same this week… LOL!
I don’t know what gyoza is but I want some now.
Also Ramen is on my bucket list too.
Seriously?! You have to try it. HAVE to.
That ramen and ALL THE TOPPINGS! I haven’t had that delicious looking of ramen since I was in Japan with my dad about 10 years ago. :o)
I’m so jealous you got to go! It’s on my bucket list, hardcore.
I could noodle all day, everyday! #asiangirlife
I know you get some good stuff in Vegas, too!
I love Ramen too! I often end up making mine at home because it’s hard to find veggie broth ones believe it or not
Not surprised – I don’t think I’ve ever seen one! Doesn’t pork broth define it?
They are building a location in Mira Mesa! We’ll be able to drive by and scope out the lines first! Or run to Target around the big corner while waiting. Great noodle pull pic!
I saw that!!!! So glad one is coming a bit closer. The line really wasn’t bad at 1 pm though!
I had ramen this week too!! My first time ever!! It had been on my bucket list for well over a year. And holy smokes it did not disappoint.
I, like Vegas, went with the miso broth. I wanted to try the classic – mostly so I could have the egg which I find so strange but intriguing – but I just can’t say no to miso. I got to taste my brother’s who got the classic, so all was well. I just can’t believe how different the broths taste depending on the kind you order! It is now my mission to order them all so I know the difference.
I’m so glad you liked it! I rarely eat it, but when I find a bowl that’s worth it… I do not stop!
My mission is the same. 🙂
I can’t believe you’re moving!
So typical… LOL!
Vodka martini with 2 olives, yes please thank you very much!
I haven’t had ramen (not huge over here or in the UK) but I do love pho. I always say I am never going to eat all the noodles as there are so many… But hot damn when it’s that good you just keep going til you can’t!
I feel like we’d be BFFs if we were closer…
I was never a huge fan of ramen, my exboyfriend used to eat it all the time and hated it. Well I had some veggie ramen and omg it was amazing. Now i see why everyone is going to crazy over Ramen, it’s seriously delicious. I’m so happy you didn’t break anything this week, we have to take it one week at a time with you lol. I love fresh gyoza! these look like the real deal. OMG that Ramen is making my mouth water.
Screw the ex. You deserve good ramen! LOL!