Ramen … so simple … yet so damn delicious.  And I'm not talking about some stinking "top" variety … the kind you eat because you're a starving college poetry major … or you're the cat lady that lives at the end of my block .. or you're the kind of person who takes the 10 for $1 special at the market and yearns to build a pyramid in honor of the ramen gods.  We're taking about the … slow-cooked broth, hardboiled egg, savory pork, and endless supply of golden ramen noodles … kind of ramen. 

So as our GRUB buddy Teresa C. hit us up for a little GRUB action, we went straight to the pending GRUB list and plucked this little gem known as Daikokuya, suggested way back in the day by GRUB visionary Kevin C., and headed downtown for a heaping bowl of ramen goodness.  But be forewarned, this place isn't exactly a hidden gem.  As we arrived at the ramen institution, we hit a line that was flowing out the door and got our name on a waiting list two pages deep.  So we waited patiently … mouths watering … bellies grumbling … planning out our GRUB-formation.  And me-oh-my, the wait was totally worth it.  And not just for the homeless lady that screamed in my ear, which made me jump like a 6 year old girl and then added insult to injury by coming back 10 minutes later insisting on giving me a hug.  It was worth it for the GRUB … the experience of Little Tokyo … and the overall awesomeness of a giant bowl of Daikokuya miso ramen.

When we got our table, the order was pretty damn easy … of course we were ordering the infamous ramen.  And what we got was exactly what the doctor ordered … a giant swarm of noodles flowing through a vast ocean of delicious broth.  (Okay, full disclosure, I've never had a doctor prescribe ramen.  But when I do … let's just say … I think I've found the one to deliver my babies).  And the broth … my boy … it was like they marinated the marinade and then turned it into soup.  Personally, the Good GRUB was especially partial to the hard boiled egg.  Floating through the sea of ramen … in all it's slightly gooey-in-the-center glory … soaking up all the glorious juices and flavors … we're not afraid to admit we asked for a second.  The pork was tender, juicy, and delicious … the noodles were gut-bustingly amazing … and everything came together for one of those "the whole is more than the sum of it's parts" moments of joy.

We were feeling extra saucy and went for an order of dumplings and fried rice … which officially took the GRUB session over the "top."  Pun … ah, I don't even know anymore.  But most importantly, was just the overall authentic experience of the trip to Daikokuya.  Next time I go back, I think I'm going to take my game to another level and get the "spicy miso ramen" … because that's what it's all about on the wild mystery tour through tastebud-heaven … and the endless pursuit of the GOOD GRUB.