Ramen: Reinvented

Pork Belly Ramen

You know what I dislike more then almost anything? Having no plans, goals, or things to look forward to in your day! ESPECIALLY a day off of work!

It is incredibly rare for me to have a day without obligations, commitments, or fun plans but when I do my reaction is generally negative! I do not function well without having something on the horizon. It is a blessing and a curse. So after Brian left to go shoot a wedding over at the TCF stadium yesterday, (I know what a cool venue to shoot at!) I got bored after two hours of nothing to do. I read a few food blogs, cleaned up the house a bit, started laundry but I looked at the clock and it was still only 9:30am! (Remember I'm a baker.) Day off, no plans until the evening, freedom to sleep all day if I wanted, definitely time to squeeze in a food adventure.

I had found this blog about the top 5 places to get Ramen in the cities that really piqued my interest. The only Ramen I've ever had came in a hard block with a microscopic sized pouch of dried herbs and veggies. They're always packed to the brim with sodium and nothing but noodles. So when I saw this picture (the one above) I thought I might be able to get on board with that! I usually don't struggle with finding a food joint to adventure to but my problem almost ALWAYS lies with finding an adventure sidekick. I must admit sometimes my ideas entail LONG drives, uncertainty in actually being able to purchase the product, sketchy locations, and odd hours. But it is ALWAYS worth the memories it creates. Along with the bragging rights when you score big on a delicious new spot to eat ;)

You have to pick the right people for each adventure. If you don't pick the right person to entice right away then you will get too many "no's" and you will become discouraged and give up on your own spontaneous adventure. For this particular adventure I knew my mom loves a good sushi roll/pork steamed buns. Which this joint, "Three, Two, One, Sushi" had both but I was really going for the

My adventure buddies

ramen. I knew my mom wouldn't initially be excited about the ramen, from what she knows of it, so I really played up the steamed buns. Then I laid out a great description of all the delicious ingredients found in one of those bowls of brothy goodness. (I'm telling you restaurants should hire me to pitch their products because, when I want to go on one of my adventures, I can make a delicious pitch that'll make your mouth water.)

Well, my description, along with my darling personality, (HA couldn't say that without laughing at myself) convinced my parents to meet up with me and check it out that day for lunch! It was a super fantastic time. It was a quick stop joint so our ramen was prepared right in front of us as we paid and we sat on stools looking out at the UofM campus. Who woulda thought I'd be eating a cheap bowl of delicious ramen with my parents out in Dinkytown on a Saturday afternoon? I LOVE IT! This is the stuff I live for! These moments of trying road's less traveled. Our ramen was tasty, it warmed us up on a RIDONCULOUSLY cold MN March day, my mom got her pork steamed buns, and my cousin, who attends the UofM was able to come and join us. Oh and he's never been there so I gave him a new spot to eat on campus! Doesn't get much better then that!

(Except if there had been a little sriracha around to add that pop of spice. Then…..we woulda had perfection for only $8.99)

My husband always gives me a hard time because I like to go far out of the box sometimes when trying places and sometimes that leads to food failures. But let me tell you that the good times far outweigh the bad. Because either way……you're still leaving with a new adventure memory.

Now go try that spot you've been meaning to try!

How fun is this place!?