My heart says ramen

It’s moving into late April and I woke up again to a cold rainy morning in Portland that just feels wrong this time of year. I normally don’t fret about what the weather is doing—I figure I just need to pick the right coat when it’s time to go out in it. But this year the colder-than-average temps and record-breaking rain have been unremitting, and that’s saying something for this normally-moderate zone. I’m just back from a quick vacation with some sun— though to be honest it was chillier than normal there too, and I think being in that sun makes the morning gloom a little tougher.

Upside? I’m thinking it calls for ramen! I’ve been on the ramen train longer than most in the US because I lived in northern Japan for a few years as a kid, and fell heavy for the warm broth and noodles the minute my first bowl arrived decades ago. I had a hiatus when we moved to Southern California for four years, but happily returned to really good ramen when life took me next to Oahu for high school. In the last several years, excellent ramen has become easy to find in Portland so I can scratch my itch pretty readily. How about where you are?

My favorite is the tiny Koyo on Mississippi Avenue. I’ve ventured out as new places arrived and while some of them are excellent, Koyo keeps pulling me back. It’s all about the broth, right? Theirs are superb and whatever option I choose, I’m happy. Both vegetarian and non-veggie options are delicious. And I love the cozy intimacy of this small eatery though it means you’ll likely have a bit of a wait most days.

Here’s to my next bowl.

Comments

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Home and Away Heart

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