The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin Page 0,66

soup. Bones are simmered for six hours for best flavour and skimmed for exquisite clarity. Then we add dashi.’ At her frown of incomprehension, he explained, ‘A very special recipe, only two people in kitchen know this. Super special fish stock which is added to broth. Then noodles, pork slices and the red sauce. Red sauce is unique to restaurant, blend of thirty spices and red pepper, mixed and aged for days and nights. Very secret recipe. Very spicy. Very good.’ He finished with a proud bow.

‘That sounds perfect.’ Fiona smiled at him, impressed by his enthusiasm and delight in the food. When she looked around the restaurant, it did seem that most people were pulling noodles from large bowls with their chopsticks so she guessed tonkotsu ramen was the house speciality.

Before her meal arrived, the waiter brought a ceramic candle holder with a small tea light which was placed in front of her with careful, attentive ceremony and a characteristic bow. Immediately afterwards, the steaming broth arrived and was placed over the candle with more solicitude; she got the impression that it was really important to the waiter that she enjoyed this meal as he bowed once again and left her to it. Even in a restaurant, she felt like an honoured guest. It heightened the experience and made her aware of the need to appreciate the food in a way that she wouldn’t have at home. Before she started, she took a moment to inhale the delicate fragrance of meat and the mix of spices. Her mouth watered as she admired the solid, glazed earthenware bowl in rich russets which seemed to enhance the appearance of the food. So much thought and care were always taken, she realised. There was a real respect for ingredients and the way food was prepared and presented.

Although it would have been nice to have Gabe with her, there was something rather comforting about a piping hot bowl of soup and noodles – or rather ramen as she ought to call it. Gripping her chopsticks, which she had become a little more adept with, she took a healthy pinch of ramen and with more appetite than grace slurped them up. They were soft but not soggy and had a very slight bite to them, and they had absorbed the light flavour of the meaty broth. With a little greedy moan she picked up another chopstick full and gulped down a mouthful. Then she took some from the middle where the red sauce had been added – although she’d have called it more of a deep auburn – prepared for it to be hot. To her relief, the spicy combination didn’t burn her tongue or shoot her socks off; it was indeed very spicy – hotter than she was used to, causing a sheen of sweat to break out on her forehead – but it was the kind of spice that warmed and heated gradually with an expansion of flavours that swirled around the mouth – a touch of chilli, a smattering of cinnamon, a punch of ginger and lots of black pepper. She closed her eyes, savouring the delicious warming sensation spreading through her. Heaven in a bowl, she decided.

There was something rather decadent and indulgent about enjoying food on your own, she decided, as she finished the last dregs of the broth, tipping the bowl up a little self-consciously but copying the other diners. She felt nourished, fortified, and full of wellbeing but above all, proud of herself for going out by herself and not staying in and indulging in self-pity. Perhaps ramen was the answer. Special insulation for the heart. A bowl of that every day and she could cope with seeing Gabe for the next week.

A week wasn’t so very long, was it?

Chapter 16

Gabe met her in reception the following morning ready for the journey back, crumpled and worn as if he’d not had much sleep.

In contrast, she felt fresh and bright, her night out having given her a boost of confidence. Going out to eat by herself was not something she’d have ever thought she could do. And not only had she got through it, she’d genuinely enjoyed the experience. She’d also had an early night and after returning from the restaurant had updated her blog, posting some of the tourist pictures she’d taken and a write up about the amazing digital museum. She’d also pondered writing a piece about meeting one of Japan’s most famous film stars and