Ramen is a dish engineered for solitude, which is why I went to @shiogensui_dxb alone. And not in a tragic, “man abandoned by society and the Serb” way, but simply because ramen does not tolerate the social diner.

It has no patience for anecdotes, social preambles, or people who say, “Let’s wait until everyone’s food arrives.” As soon as that bowl hits the pass, the ramen is already dying. The noodles are softening faster than a Spinney’s avocado. The broth is cooling. The egg is sitting there like a small golden accusation. Every second spent in conversation is an act of culinary vandalism.

“Table for one?” Ai asked, as I stepped into Shio Gensui, the Osaka import that’s just landed in Dubai.
“Yes.” I said, happily. I meant it.

And so, I sat alone at the counter, faced forward, and entered the private domain of a good bowl of shoyu ramen. I stopped talking, put on my Spotify ramen play list and grabbed my chopsticks.

Sometimes sharing is not caring. No performative ‘have the last gyoza’ democratic bullsh*^t. Sometimes it’s OK to be selfish. To want something all to yourself. A ramen is there to support that state of mind. And a ramen needs no supporting acts itself - it is the ultimate complete meal - nutritionally, emotionally, self-sufficiency in a bowl. My bowl.

But here’s where the democracy does come in - with ramen, you need know nothing. No Tampopo level of analysis. There is no need to forensically analyse the fat to salt content of the tare or check the hydration levels of the noodles (sorry @astoryoffood !) or the horoscope of the menma.

A good ramen is a good ramen. It only needs to impress you.

And Shio Gensui’s ramen certainly impressed me.

Welcome to Dubai. Hope you fix your AC!