What does it mean...

When you walk into a semi-random ramen shop, and we're the only two people there...aside from the one hostess, one other cook (likely 60+ and rocking a Metallica shirt, btw), and the chef. We put in our order, and the two chefs get right to it. Both move with serious efficiency and urgency...we're the only two in the place the entire time we're there, and those two are moving like they're cooking for 20 rather than two. As they go, they clean each work space meticulously. This is the kind of movement that you typically don't see in the US unless you're watching a michelin starred kitchen...and one of the better ones at that.

I can't even say that we happened to stumble upon a particularly obsessive ramen shop. The ramen and gyoza are delicious, no doubt. But while the ingredients are quite a few steps ahead of the average in CA, there's not much indication that this shop is "special".



I have so much to learn.