Master Ueda removing strings from Bizentei's famous chashu! 🍖 Key was unwinding them "gently & smoothly" so the soft pork wouldn't tear. Resting it in the fridge overnight was a must before slicing 🔪 Look at that melt-in-your-mouth perfection... so desperate for a bite! 😭🍜

Producer’s top dish this summer! 🍳⛱️ Taking leftover Nori no Tsukudani (sweet-savory nori paste) & pairing it with cream cheese on crackers 😉 Not sure if it counts as "cooking," it was super tasty! 😋 Cooling down now, time to follow retired Master's lead & cook more at home?

Found a photo by an overseas fan who saw our doc & visited Bizentei before it closed! 🍜✈️ His shot of the dimly lit staircase between floors was so moody & atmospheric! 📸👏 The producer tried recreating it, but his came out looking totally plain 😅 Ah, the power of a pro! 😆

Heartwarming lunch at Kashiwagi in Higashi-Nakano! 🍜🥰 Treated to chef's mother's homemade umeboshi (salty & delicious! 🧂👍) & handmade pound cake. 🍰 One plum elevated his chuhai & shio ramen! 😋 Generous vibes felt just like being back at Bizentei. 😍🙏 #ラーメン #東中野

1st visit to Tonpei at Nakano Broadway! 🚶 ¥450 a bowl... feels like a Showa time-slip! 🍜 Run solo by a quiet master, it's cozy, vintage & clean. ✨ Hot gyoza packed a garlic punch 🧄👍 with classic shoyu ramen. 🍜😋 John noted "TT would love this!" 🎬 Repeat visit locked! 🙆‍♂️

Did a big cleanup at the old Bizentei 🧹 Asked Master if he’d ever make ramen again—"No way!" 😭 Asked about opening a bar instead, but "I'm done with business!" 😢 So maybe we shoot a fictional "Come Back Anytime" there with a script by John? Who should play Master? 😆 #大掃除

Have you seen the 1-minute teaser for CBA? 🎞️ Unlike the main trailer, this short teaser flies under the radar a bit 😢 Miraculously, it's still up on YouTube!😊 Packed with the warmth of Bizentei and Master Ueda 🍜 Don't forget to check it out! 👀🙏 ⬇️ youtube.com/watch?v=58azV3Iv…

Back at Wakura in Shinjuku! 🍜❣️ Drank a bit at stop #1 🍺🍷, but still hungry! Ate ramen before round 2 to avoid the "drink till dawn ➡️ late-night ramen ➡️ waste next day" curse 🙅 Hakata tonkotsu with kaedama was overkill 😝, but caught last train 🚃 & worked out great! 🙆‍♂️

A lovely review from a Seattle film writer during our US screening! 🇺🇸📰 SHOULD I SEE IT kicked off with high praise: "An absolutely lovely and charming film" 😍🥰 Thrilled to get such a warm "You should see it!" stamp of approval! 🍜✨ Full article: shouldiseeit.net/...

Ramen at Nakano Taishoken! 🍜 Famed as the birthplace of tsukemen, but opted for ramen with thick noodles 🍜🥢 Piping-hot soup with a unique, soba-tsuyu-like sweetness is so memorable 📝 Slurping noodles & sweating in the heat is strangely exhilarating 💦 Highly satisfying! 😋

At Nakano Ramen Fest in Sept! 🍜🏮 Director John tried Pickerel’s "Shio Clam" ramen (from Rhode Island 🇺🇸). Inspired by clam chowder, the broth was so delicious he downed every drop! 🤩 When told "I made a ramen doc," staff asked "About Bizentei?!" 🤩 Thrilled! 😂 #ラーメン祭

40 yrs since The Karate Kid Part II (1986)! 🥋🎞️ Back in 2001 (a quarter-century ago! 😱), the Producer interviewed Tamlyn Tomita as a journalist in NY 🗽 Chatting over drinks at a film festival reception was so special! 🍷🥰 Hope she gets to watch CBA soon! 😍 #映画祭 #40周年

Dinner at JASMINE in Higashi-Nakano! 🍳🍚 This popular eatery serves cozy neighborhood-style Chinese. Fast, cheap, extensive menu & super relaxing 😋😄 Mala Noodles started mild, but the heat slowly crept up 💦 Time for the #Bizentei tenugui! 💦 Felt totally refreshed after! 😊

Stumbled upon the Ra-1 Grand Prix at Okubo Park, Shinjuku! ⛲️🍜 Didn't realize Oct 10 was Day 1! Popped in & surprisingly found almost no lines for a holiday weekend 🤩🏮 If not totally full, the producer could've downed 2 bowls 😭 Definitely coming back to eat! 🥢😋 #ラーメン

Fresh peanuts gift from Bizentei's master! 🥜 Sept rain ruined farm, but he still shared freshly harvested peanuts! 🙏 Boiled for 30 min, then steamed in the hot water for 15 min... resulting in insanely tasty boiled peanuts! 😋 So much for a sober night, had to get a beer! 🍺😅

Drank till dawn 🍺🍶 then hit late-night ramen 🍜😅 Tipsy photos taken 📸, but couldn't recall where! 😱 Pieced clues together (Kabukicho, clam broth 🐚, basement, new shop) & found it 👀 It was Kaidashi Chukasoba Clam! 🤩 Revisiting sober next time! 😉 #〆のラーメン #朝ラー

Usually, a line outside is an automatic pass... but last weekend was different! 🏬 Instinct said "it moves fast & looks delicious," so joined the queue! 🚶‍♂️ Both guesses were spot on! It was a totally satisfying ramen lunch 🍜😋 Trusting the gut pays off! 👏 #昼ラーメン #lunch

Berlin Ramen Festival is back this weekend (Oct 9–11)! ❣️🥳 After its 2025 German premiere here, Come Back Anytime returns for a repeat screening! 🎞️👏 Screening alongside legends like Tampopo, Ramen Heads & Ramen Teh! 🤩🙀

From Come Back Anytime 🎞️🍜 During lunch rush, Master & his wife work in perfect sync to make 6 bowls at breakneck speed! 👫 Incredible speed aside, seeing a bowl balanced on a tiny corner by the sink is insane 👀😱 Over 40 yrs of skill on full display! 👏🎊 #びぜん亭🍜#映画

Poland was among the 1st to TV broadcast & stream CBA! 📺💻 Titled Wpadnij znów na ramen ("Drop by for ramen again"), it brought many Polish fans to Tokyo! 🍜🇵🇱 Master was amazed & invited them into the kitchen for photos 📸😂 Thrilled fans, happy Master! 🤩😀 #ラーメン大好き