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Ikemen ramen: Do the dip

We checked out Hollywood’s coolest ramen guys, whose unique “dip style” noodles are now at Shirokiya through July 4


I got a frantic call from restaurateur Jason Kim on Sunday, with so much urgency that you’d think the cast of “Hawaii Five-0″ was ordering boneless short ribs again. Well, it was close — there’s a Hollywood connection. Turns out his favorite ramen shop, Ikemen, is serving up their famous “dip style” noodles at Shirokiya this week, and Jason insisted I needed to try it.

Now, if you know me, I’m not a fanatic about ramen because I’m not into temperature-hot foods. But Ikemen is different: They specialize in tsukemen noodles, bare noodles served separately from a more intensely flavored soup. The thick, chewy noodles are room temperature, which supposedly makes it better for the broth to adhere when you dip them in. Even the broth is different, as you’ll see in the following photos; Jason compared Ikemen’s appeal to having pizza from CPK — a contemporary step outside the ordinary.

If you go with a couple of friends, it will be more fun as you can try each others’ soups. Would I eat here again? Absolutely. Actually, now I’m curious about their restaurant in Los Angeles.

Ikemen will be featured in Shirokiya through July 4, so be sure to check them out before they head back to Hollywood. They serve their tsukemen until the store closes at 9.

Ikemen at Shirokiya (1 of 13)

Ikemen at Shirokiya

Jason introduced me to Ikemen General Manager Takashi Adachi at lunch. He serves as the head chef, waiter, manager, and katsuobushi shredder all in one.

 

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You can read all of Melissa’s blogs at www.nonstophonolulu.com/UrbanMixPlate. Follow Melissa on Twitter @Melissa808, on Foursquare as Melissa808, or email at Melissa@nonstophonolulu.com.

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KevinSOshiro 16 pts

it was to survive the school's semester meal plan, esp. on the weekends.. There was this late night snack bar, on campus, appropriately titled "Munchies."

 

KevinSOshiro 16 pts

Ramen was college dorm food in Hilo - for poor students on a tight budget (Cup O' Noodles or Top Ramen (dried in a package, by the case full) - that was a part of my care package from my parents (like a "Balikbayan box" for the Filipino community), complete with crack seed (kaki mochi/arare). I could have bought this at the neighborhood stores (Foodland, Safeway, Sack 'N Save, Walmart or my local favorite, KTA Stores), but got it shipped anyway..

Melissa808 268 pts moderator

 KevinSOshiro you had a nice care package! not bad, though, since Hilo is not an expensive place (compared to other places)

M 64 pts

Hello Melissa,

We went to the Ramen Stadium at Canal City in Fukuoka and had the no dashi ramen and it was pretty good. It was like fried noddles but it wasn't fried.

Melissa808 268 pts moderator

 M Nice! I know, I keep meaning to message you about your trip! Glad it was fun!

MyongChoi 80 pts

I'm not sure I get the concept of dipped ramen. You're gonna drown it in the chosen broth before eating anyway as well as drink up whatever broth is left over so what is the reason for separating it from the soup? Sounds like more novelty than practicality.

Melissa808 268 pts moderator

 MyongChoi good question....I don't know much about the origins of this dish, but I guess so the soup doesn't get soaked up into the noodles, which have their own flavor....kind of like how it's best to make poke to order?

kyleepuu 20 pts

That toasted marshmallow at the end is so cool! All of them looked delicious!

Melissa808 268 pts moderator

 kyleepuu I was skeptical at first....but yes, deeeelish!

annedreshfield 1130 pts

Man, now I'm hungry for ramen. Surprise, surprise! 

Melissa808 268 pts moderator

 annedreshfield haha good!

nonstopmari 245 pts moderator

i didn't say it was too spicy, i said it was spicy. i asked for a takeout container afterward and brought home the broth (and that big dried chili).

my fave has to be the ikemen, option C, featuring the tonkotsu pork bone base w/ a hefty dose of katsuobushi, the stall's signature item. i wd have brought home that base too, but there was so little left after we ordered boiled crab and dipped the cold sweet flesh into the layered, salty richness.

Melissa808 268 pts moderator

 nonstopmari OK sorry, I could swear I heard that. I will change your comments.

Melissa808 268 pts moderator

 StarletShay Interestingly enough, the classic Ikemen with bonito. Not that I didn't like the others, I just favored the classic!

EurekaGal 22 pts

 Melissa808 the katsuobushi over rice with a poached egg on top was to die for. I'm craving it and wish I could go back for another bowl. The rice was so good, too, and I NEVER rave about rice. YUUUUUUUMMMMMMM!!!

Melissa808 268 pts moderator

 EurekaGal I've been dying for that onsen egg!

About Melissa Chang

Melissa has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing and public relations. She is currently a freelance writer and independent marketing consultant, specializing in social media. 

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