After listening to Regina Spektor explain why the global financial meltdown can be viewed not solely in terms of gigantic loss, but also in light of the opportunity it presents for renewal and a break from tried ways of thinking, she twiddled her vocal chords several times, exhibited her range of at least two and a half octaves, and giggled gingerly close into the microphone.  Within the fraction of a second that it took a pang of hunger to introduce itself to my warm and welcoming stomach, Regina Spektor had bolted out the emergency exit and was gone.

On the recommendation of BigDan’s comment on Handy’s ramen post, Nina and I proceeded onwards following the more promising specter of Rai Rai Ken.  We each ordered the Shio Ramen for $8.50, anticipating the juiciness of a fresh and fragrant seafood broth and a steaming pile of noodles.  Guaranteed by the stolid BigDan himself.

Shio Ramen

Looking down at the bowl, I couldn’t help but gaze with wonder at the pink and white “smiley face” processed seafood cake floating beside a lumpy piece of seaweed and a half dozen sunken bamboo shoots.  The Japanese can turn even American cheese into a cute form that makes young girls giddy.

Rai Rai Ken is not good Ramen.  The broth was drastically over-salted.  The noodles smelled and tasted like my freezer after a long thaw.  The sheet of seaweed was… lumpy.  The pink and white smiley face cake is as foreign a concept to me as are host clubs – indigenous flavor that does not translate.  The pork slice was the least of the evils at a dry overcooked tastelessness.  As if nothing were to be spared, even the half boiled egg managed to be cold on the inside.

Rai Rai Ken is a cute little place.  But Rai Rai Ken is not good ramen.