The Ramen Master

by Kazuhide Ichikawa · Story and art

Novel

Ramen Ryuseiken is a locals only ramen stand in a bustling Tokyo neighborhood where regulars tell their mundane woes over delicious bowls of noodles. One night, Kimi (a local gay bar "mama-san") preaches the virtues of anal sex to an incredulous group of straight regulars, including construction foreman Shige, depressed from having recently been left by his wife. Shige can't seem to get it up, least of all for another man, but it's a special kind of night, and the ramen master has a master piece just for him. Ramen-ya Kagyou will be published in English by Bruno Gmuender as Ramen Master and Other Stories on October 1, 2017.