Aya and REBOOT 2: Taiwan Mazesoba Edition
Hello.
My name is Aya SEA. I am an Aquarius.
My favorite food is ramen.
My favorite band is LUNA SEA.
I started introducing myself all of a sudden, didn't I... 😆
Do you know?
That there is a place in Tokyo where ramen and LUNA SEA have fused together.
Yes, Tenraiken!
It's a restaurant produced by Shinya, the drummer who is also familiar from variety shows.
I was hesitant about whether or not to buy a ticket for the Tokyo Dome concert.
That's because I hadn't listened to LUNA SEA for over twenty years.
It started when I was deeply shocked by the members' solo activities and the interpretation of the 'curtain call' at the end of the 20th century as a breakup.
I'm sure there are quite a few people who felt the same way back then... 😌
Now in the Reiwa era, it took courage to go see LUNA SEA again.
It felt like going to see an ex-boyfriend who dumped me 😆
Because I really loved them, you see.
So, as a form of rehabilitation, I first went to Tenraiken.
I had watched YouTube beforehand, and both Sugizo and Ryuichi said it was delicious. My preparation was perfect.
Even so, I felt a bit nervous walking through the noren curtain.
Man, it was really delicious.
I had the 'Omar Shrimp Miso with Everything,' and I thought it was French cuisine.
The next time was shrimp again.
The third time, I had the Amber Ramen. It was crystal clear.
And for the fourth time, I chose 'Taiwan Mazesoba'.
For me, this is a choice with a very significant meaning.
I'm going to start talking now, so please listen for a bit 😊
I'm from Nagoya.
I think that 'Taiwan [Something]' in Japan is actually from Nagoya, not Taiwan 😆
Both Taiwan Ramen and Taiwan Mazesoba.
Once you have chili peppers and ground meat, that's what Nagoya considers 'Taiwan'.
Taiwan Ramen was invented by a Chinese restaurant called Misen.
I heard that the chef, Mr. Kasahara, also goes there.
If it's your first time eating it, be careful because it's super spicy 😄💦
Now, about the Taiwan Mazesoba. This one isn't very spicy.
Since it was born in 2008, you could call it a new Nagoya specialty.
It originated at a restaurant called 'Hanabi'.
However, the first place I ate it was a restaurant in the suburbs called 'Okada'.
I was shocked. By the way, it's said to be a favorite of Ichiro.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when I couldn't easily go back home.
I was overjoyed to realize that several branches of Hanabi's sister restaurant, 'Kokoro,' had opened in Tokyo.
I think the one I was drawn into was the shop in Hatagaya, near Shibuya 🪐
But, you know.
If you look closely, Shinya's restaurant has it too. Mazesoba.
Tenraiken, which rebooted my heart and led me to the Tokyo Dome.
I have to trust Shinya and give it a try, right?
As you can see, you could say it's a type of soup-less ramen.
It's moist when you eat it.
Do you see the small thing next to it?
White rice 🍚
This is also a bit of Nagoya-ism, but
for the chives and ground meat left at the bottom,
you're supposed to add a spoonful of rice and finish it off (lol)
In the Kokoro style, you put down your chopsticks and use a spoon to mix the rice and carry it to your mouth.
By the way, in Toyohashi (same Aichi Prefecture as Nagoya),
there is an interesting curry udon.
As you eat it, there is rice at the bottom.
The reason the rice doesn't float up is because it's held down by grated yam 😆
It's a three-layer structure: rice -> grated yam -> curry udon. It's like a parfait, isn't it 😄
I wonder if it comes across, that feeling of cherishing even the leftover sauce 😆
Doing everything thoroughly and meticulously like this is the Nagoya way.
It's the Nagoya-ism as I see it.
(If you're familiar with cars or Visual Kei, you'll know what I mean)
That's why at Tenraiken, you get rice properly, and
I thought, 'They get it, how wonderful.'
The taste, you ask?
It's amazing.
'How do they make such a mild mazesoba?'
That was my reaction.
Original Taiwan mazesoba usually has a punchy, distinct umami flavor, but
when Tenraiken makes it, it's as mellow as a hotel meal.
Just like their shrimp one.
Ah, now I want to eat it right away!
Also, what's amazing about Tenraiken is,
though this is for the Kojimachi branch, the location!
After all, there are police officers standing on both sides of the street 👮♂️
It's a quiet area where embassies are located.
The shop is just sitting there all by itself 😆
According to an acquaintance born in Tokyo, in that area,
you can't open a shop unless you have a solid background.
Shinya is amazing, but President Murakami, who manages it, is also incredible, isn't he?
(Besides Kojimachi, there is one other branch ✨)
Also, the chairs are lovely.
I heard there are days when they play LUNA SEA as BGM, but when I go, this kind of music is playing.
It's comfortable. Of course, it's fine to go alone.
There is that support post inside the shop, so I put a message in it.
Telling them to read this essay (food report?) 😆
※ As reported in the media, Shinya is currently recuperating, so we are all praying for his recovery 👏
A public message here 💌
Shinya...
No, let's go with Shinya-kun.
Tenraiken is the best!
The staff are also very pleasant, aren't they?
The taste is consistent too. It's truly delicious.
Every time I go, I feel Shinya-kun's presence, and it makes me happy.
SUGIZO and J also
told us how Shinya-kun is doing, and
Ryuichi also let us know that he will continue to work with Shinya 🎤
(All of these were statements from the last month or so 😀)
My only request is that I'd like to see a post from Shinya-kun.
I'd be happy if you could write just a word, within your comfort zone.
I think about how you are doing every day.
Oh, right, on the day of the Tobacco Festival.
Shinya-kun was very dignified and cool!
It's gotten cold suddenly lately, so please stay warm 🎃
From Aya 🏝️
(The same name as your wife, Aya-chan 🐶)
To all the readers,
thank you for joining me 🙏
When you come to Tokyo for festivals or other events, please visit Tenraiken 💕
It is one of my top three delicious restaurants in Tokyo, the ramen heaven.
※ Closed on Sundays, and business hours on Saturdays and holidays are irregular.
Please be sure to check their official Instagram in advance.
https://www.instagram.com/tenraiken?igsh=MW5za2M5Z2hoYmpyYw==
*It seems you can order snacks only at night🍺
Food Report Next Episode Preview🍜
Shall I write about Tenkaippin (from Kyoto), which Sugizo loves so much?😄
Introducing an essay featuring Shin-chan as the motif🐠
This is Shin-chan's insane playing⚡️🥁
Come play again soon⚡️📖
[2025/10/24] Wrote this in a super rush⚡️🍜
[2025/11/7] Wrote the sequel🍔