Dipping Ramen

Another bonus to going to the Sky Tree first thing in the morning is that if you come back down for 10:30 you'll be there just in time for the opening of the food court and that means you can get an immediate seat at Rokurinsha, Tokyo's most popular Tsukemen Ramen joint.

Popularized by Rokurinsha, Tsukemen Ramen noodles are served separate from the thick broth. You dip your noodles into the broth and soak it up at your leisure. Often the wait here could be 2-3 hours.

This is yet another triumph and it blows away the Miso Ramen from the previous evening. The broth has a nice kick but it's the thick chewy noodles that really stand out. I'm happy for having ordered extra noodles and the Ajitama sweet egg but it is way too much food.

If, at the end, you still have a little of the thick broth left you can ask for some extra thinner broth which makes the remainder into a tasty soup. This is also more to eat but you just can't let any of it go.

After lunch I wander through the Solemachi Mall. Not much to write home about but I do see the store called Rodeo Crowns. Their logo is a lasso and a crown. Nice going Japan, way to embrace the inability to pronounce the letter l.

I also pick up some banana chocolate cream cakes from Tokyo Banana Tree. They look too silly not to buy and judging from the lineup they are pretty popular.