Morioka Reimen [Pyon Pyon Sha] / 盛岡冷麺 「ぴょんぴょん舎」

Lunch in Ginza. Technically reimen isn't ramen but its still noodles. Its cold noodles. Perfect on a nice hot day. And this particular reimen shop, [Pyon Pyon Sha] is well known in Japan's northern region. Especially in Iwate Prefecture. Mikako said she used to drive from Aomori to Morioka just to eat at Pyon Pyon Sha. So when she heard there were Pyon Pyon Shops in Tokyo, of course she wanted to go. It was while walking around in Ginza that I also remembered Pyon Pyon Sha is located in this neighborhood. But exactly where we didn't know. Fortunately, I just happed to have a couple of friends from Iwate and one of them featured Morioka Reimen on MIXI so I called her up and asked. Not only did she give me directions, but sent the URL address for the store as well. There are two Pyon Pyon Sha shops in Ginza. One is on the top floor of the building which also houses Diesel. The other is a smaller shop located in a hard to find back alley (yes, there are back alleys in Ginza as well). And for some reason, of the two shops, we found the hard-to-find back alley shop. There was already a long line but we had decided this is what we wanted for lunch.

銀座で昼食。冷麺はラーメンではないですが、それをおいといて、今日は銀座にある、東北の人が誰でも知ってる盛岡冷麺「ぴょんぴょん舎」に行ってきました。美香子は冷麺なら「ぴょんぴょん」が一番美味しいと何回も聞いたことがあって、銀座を散歩しながら「あっ、そうだ、ぴょんぴょんは確かに銀座にあった」と思いだして、そこにランチを食べに行く事にした。でも銀座の何処にあるか分からない。そこで岩手出身の友達に電話して、聞いてみた。友達が親切に教えてくれて、メールで店のサイトアドまで送ってくれました。銀座に「ぴょんぴょん舎」は二軒ある。一つはプランタン銀座の近く。もう一軒はわかりづらい路地裏にある。（銀座でも路地裏あるんだね）私たちはなぜかその見つかりにくい路地裏店を発見。行列はすでに出来てた。それでも盛岡冷麺が食べたかったので、並びました。

According to the website, there is only two items on their menu. Morioka Reimen and Chijimi (a Korean type pancake-like item). You can also choose from four levels of spiciness for your reimen. And you can choose from three types of chijimi - chive & green onion, cheese, and one other (I forget). A craft beer from Morioka was on the menu as well. Of course we ordered the Morioka reimen, Mikako chose the spiciest, while I chose next to the spiciest and we decided to share a chive & green onion chijimi. However, at the shop itself there was one more item on the menu - Morioka jajamen (we may have to try that another time). I also couldn't pass up the Morioka microbrew as well, called Baeren Classic (which was a lager).

ウェブサイトによるとメニューには二つのものしかない。盛岡冷麺とチヂミ。冷麺の辛さは別辛、中辛、特辛、と激辛から選べます。チヂミはネギニラ、チーズ、かあともう一つの種類から選べる。もちろん冷麺を注文し、僕は特辛で、美香子は激辛で。二人でネギニラチヂミも頼みました。店のメニューはもう一品がありました。盛岡ジャージャー麺 （それはまた今度食べてみる）。あと盛岡の地ビールバエレンクラシックラーガーがありまして、もちろん地ビール好きな僕は頼みました。


Morioka Reimen / 盛岡冷麺


Of all the reimen I have eaten, this is by far the most delicious. This uses a beef based broth which isn't too heavy and thick noodles which become very flavorful when mixed. The bowl are filled with kimchee, onions, cucumbers, a slice of meat, pear, and topped with half a boiled egg.

今まで食べた冷麺にやっぱりこれが一番美味しい。牛骨をベースにしたスープがあっさりなのにコクがある。中にキムチ、キュリ、ネギ、肉、梨、とゆで卵。



Onion & Chive Chijimi / ネギニラチヂミ



Baeren Classic Lager Beer / バエレン クラシック ラーガー


Although this craft beer is a lager, it has a fruity taste and aroma. Its close in taste to Belgian white beers the regular lagers.

ラーガーなのに、結構フルーティな香りと味わい。普通のラーガーよりベルギのホワイトビールに近い味と思う。

The shop really is located in a back-alley of Ginza. No brand shops down this narrow road.

店は本当にこうゆう路地裏にある。この狭い道にブランド品店はもちろんありません。

Bon Appetit!

いただきます！