Day 9: Ichiran & Ximending

While the big kids were in school, the adults and Eulee went to check out a ramen place called Ichican.  This restaurant is from Japan (my parents ate there last year), so it's the real deal so the line can be ridiculous.  This particular store is open 24 hours a day!  What???

We got in line and waited...and waited.  It actually took awhile.

When we finally got seated, it was such a neat experience!  You sit down and it's like you are in you're own private cubby.  There's a wall to the left and one to the right.  These are called Flavor Concentration Booths...you're alone so you can concentrate on the flavor.  Intense, right?

In front of you, there is another wall with a little opening covered with a curtain.  There's also a handy water faucet next to you with a small cup in case you need water.  You fill out the provided order form.  Then the "waiter" lifts up the curtain, takes your form, confirms your order, and puts down the curtain.  A little while later, the curtain is lifted and your bowl of ramen appears before you.

I really didn't know what to expect.  Was it all hype?  Was the line really worth it?

Ummmmm...actually, IT WAS WORTH IT!  The ramen and soup were all so yummy.  I had Eulee share with me and she ended up eating most of it!  She said it was the best noodle soup she's ever eaten.  After this day, she kept asking if we were going back.  Wow.

For our after school activity, we took the kids to Ximending.  This area is as bright as Times Square and filled with lots of shopping, eating, and entertainment.

We got the best egg tarts at KFC here.  I've been on the search for the best egg tarts because they're my favorite dessert.  These are definitely the best I've had so far.  Eli totally agreed!

After walking around for awhile, we ended the night with a trip to have shaved ice.  Customers could write their names all over the walls, which the kids loved doing.  And the shaved ice dishes that we got were all so yummy!  Matcha, mango, red bean, bananas...you name it, we probably got it.

Another great day of food!