一品香 - Ippinkou, Shimoda

エビワンタン塩ラーメン - Shio Ramen with Shrimp Wonton

   Another way to cool off in the summer is to head to the beach - although this method can be largely ineffective once the sunburn kicks in. So it was back for another trip to Izu, though a little further south this time to enjoy the much more beautiful (and possibly crowded) beaches of the popular holiday spot. 

   The local tour brochure was advertising a few of the different ramen shops scattered throughout the town and we decided that Ippinkou looked to be the pick of the bunch. There was, however, a very photogenic ramen served with an entire crab topping but I was a little wary of such intimidating-looking food.

   Ippinkou definitely has a more of a restaurant than ramen shop feel to it, but I think that the limitations on space in Tokyo are the main factor here rather than any preconceived notion of a how a shop should feel. We were seated on a table with a chain smoker who may have upped his intake because of the football world cup qualifier being broadcast.

  I was pleasantly surprised with this bowl. Ramen can be hit or miss at the best of times and in regional towns that aren't particularly well-known for ramen it is usually the latter, but Ippinkou could easily sit among the thousands in Tokyo. A great chashu and though I'm not usually a fan, the shrimp wontons were a great complement to the shio soup.

   I'd happily go back here anytime I'm in the area...

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Ippinkou Homepage

空海 - Kukai, Itou

ラーメン - Ramen

    The aptly-named dish here at Kukai may describe the food, but it doesn't give you much of an insight to the experience of eating here. Upon entering I felt as though I had walked into someones house, with the TV in the corner surrounded by some old women sitting on some plastic outdoor furniture puffing away on their cigarettes. But it was a pretty friendly atmosphere.
    It actually seemed a pretty good gauge to the rest of Itou on the Izu Peninsula as it's a town that, while still a tourist destination (mainly for its hot springs), has seemingly passed it's glory days. Anyway, to the ramen...

    Not too memorable, but having travelled to some of the best in Tokyo that is to be expected. Just a standard shoyu type bowl. However, if you ever find yourself craving some ramen while in Itou this could be the place to go.

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