Shizusan -The Ramen Diaries

Its Ramen time for Pune as the hipster mascot Shizusan after the success of his 'Around the world in 9 Sushi' has got us some ( to be precise 5 each of veg and non veg bowls) tasty slurpy Ramen with

'The Ramen Diaries'

pic courtesy - Shizusan

Now Wait a minute it is not your ordinary traditional ramen but Shizusan has lived upto his true signature pop style inspired by his travels and created unique ones.

These off the beaten path ramen bowls have the all the traditional compositions but with a twist making them extra special.

why don't you hear it from the man himself - Kartik Ganesh.

I was invited for the pre tasting of the menu and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was one fun night with good company slurping on yummy Ramen.

10 Bowls of Goodness.

Look at these fun facts, quite amazed myself.
:P

Refreshing Virgin Mojitos
I always love these at Shizusan.

Did you know according to the Ramen culture the louder you slurp the tastier is the Ramen.

Lets just slurping loudly without further delay, should we ? ;p

Kimchi Ramen

The Kimchi Ramen is made with rice noodles submerged in a broth made from gochujang stock and is topped with beans, roasted corn and kimchi. This was definitely one of my favourites, the broth was so good went down with an aghhhh appreciation and endless slurps.

Must Try !!

Shanghai Chilli Chicken Ramen

For those who enjoy the ‘Chindian’ fare, there’s the Shanghai Chilli Chicken Ramen – a bowlful of your favourite hakka noodles in a spicy garlicky chilli chicken broth topped with cubes of chicken, peppers, pokchoy and cilantro. I loved this too however it could have been more flavourful found it a bit bland for its ingredients missed the punch of the chilli. However this is the only ramen for the chicken lovers. Must Try again !!

Tom Yum Ramen

So colourful isn't it.

transformation from the hearty soup to pop ramen with a good kick from the bird eye chillies and tanginess from the kaffir lime. 

Seafood Ramen

Loaded with Squid, Jumbo Prawns, Tuna, Basa- Feast for the sea food lovers.

Miso and Shitake Ramen

This was good especially those who love the shitake mushrooms, the broth was flavourful and overall it was very comforting and nice. Must Try !

Peking Duck Ramen

For the Duck lovers soul. This one left everyone wanting for more.

Peking Duck Ramen is a ramen version of the famous Peking Duck from China and has a sweet & salty hoisin broth with egg noodles topped with crispy sliced Peking duck (of course), fried wonton noodles and spinach. 

Must try!!

Malaysian Laksa Ramen

This one is my most favourite, creamy and so flavourful.

It Reminded me of Burmese Khowsuey with a twist here and there.

All the ingredients in the bowl went so well together complimenting each other.

Comfort food at its best especially in Rainy season.

Must Must try!!

Laksa Ramen – a bowl of creamy laksa broth with al dente eggless noodles topped with mushrooms, mustard cress, tofu, red radish, crushed peanuts and crunchy fried noodles.

Bangkok Ramen

Thai Green Curry with rice noodles and tenderloin.

Some at the table really loved this.

Shanghai Ramen

This came with bamboo shoots and shitake mushrooms. (not my favourite exactly)

Classic Ramen

The Classic Ramen with udon noodles in a velvety, fatty, umami tonkotsu broth topped with sliced pork belly, crispy bacon bits and nori squares. (failed to impress)

Ended this feast with some desserts for the soul. I never can get enough of their chocolate mud pie - soul satisfying and so sinful.

pic credits - Shizusan

It was indeed an amazing time with great company and some yummy food.

Thanks for the Shizusan Team and Carpe diem for an amazing evening and having me.

Its pouring outside and what a great time to slurp on these brothy noodles. So head over to Shizusan this weekend, that's where you might find me too.

Have a Great weekend !

Until we meet again.

Stay happy and Stay Cheerful!!

Much Love

xoxo

Bhakti

Monsoon, Chai & I

That special cuppa of chai (tea) becomes extra special in monsoon.
Its a never ending love affair between the two. The romance it creates is insatiated and never ending, it keeps one desiring, longing, burning for one more kiss from the lips of the chai and one more hug from the raindrops wet.
The interwound and  mingled fragrances - the sultry and addictive petrichor with the calming notes of ginger, tea and milk numb the senses and also take them higher all at once.
I have got a confession to make I never drink tea, yes you heard me right and still here I am a non tea drinker penning praises.
I had never touched tea or drank it till few years back and then one day I happened to have it on a rainy day standing by a makeshift cart and sipping on a cup of this warmth in the cool weather - I just fell in love.
Don't get me wrong I still don't drink tea or neither am I addicted to it in my daily routine, just this one of affairs I have sometimes - monsoon magic you see.

check for yourself.

Nothing beats a plate of pakoras with chai on a Rainy day.
Monsoon favourites- devoured these goodies somewhere in Mulshi.
Read all about our Rainy day in Mulshi.

Iraani chai from Southin café when its pouring outside.



I love my eyelashes over here.

Chai with friends on a rainy evening is more special when served with the small biscuits (childhood memories) from glass jars. This one is at Chai Viman nagar and I love my masala chai over here, slurping on maggi alongside.

Chai on a Highway is like watching the drama unfold with best seats in the house.

Cups of chai when the world passes by.

Rainy evenings at home with Chai and Slices of Fruit cake from Kayani bakery- bliss

These were some of my Chai chapters what are yours.
Let me know what are your monsoon favourites.

You can also read about Monsoon for the Chai Lover

Until we meet again.
Enjoy that cuppa and stay happy and cheerful.
Happy Monsoon !

Lots of Love
xoxo
Bhakti

Drive in the Rain...

Monsoons are the best time for drives as the road beckons you to come experience the beauty of the nature and be enthralled.
Pune boasts of a lot of green areas and picturesque landscapes around the city which become splendid in rain. There are a number of monsoon destinations at a short distance from Pune.
One such weekend we traversed Mulshi whilst it was raining, we took an impromptu drive, as the climate was perfect and ideal for a beautiful journey.
Monsoon drives make everything all the more gorgeous and enticing.The road leading to Mulshi itself is gorgeous and beautiful however I was in for a shock as all I could lay eyes on for a greater part of our road trip was constructions, unplanned development , ugly structures and bungalow schemes. I was really heart broken seeing the nature rapidly being eroded, destroyed mercilessly. Finally after what seemed like ages, farms started creeping in slowly and got a sudden joy, happiness and surprisingly a drastic change in the climate.
Mulshi being a rice growing small village is all busy in rainy season, it has the mulshi lake and thus the road is dotted with small rivuklets ,waterfalls, streams which finally joins it. Everywhere I laid my eyes I found beautiful rice farms and men and women working in their make shift rsincoats (ghongdis).
The mist looms magical tales around the mountains. Its like we are straight into a fairytale book. The road was so beautiful filled with amazing sights, eyes could hardly behold.

Have a look for yourself - 

We started late afternoon with a light snacks, some packed sandwiches, fruits and water (I always prefer to carry my own water bottle from home especially in rains.).

Mulshi is hardly an hour and a half from Pune and a sleepy paddy village with Tata lake and picturesque setting. The views are really mesmerizing and one cant help but get drawn to them. We couldn't get enough and continued on the Tamhini Ghat road which is renowned for the beautiful gurgling waterfalls dotting its landscape (the roads leading towards Tamhini is not that great and very patchy). Mulshi has its own share of waterfalls and rivulets everywhere you lay your eyes.

 

A Hamlet just out of a fairytale.

 

I was a little girl all over again, playing in every stream, waterfall and rivulet I could manage to get in.

 

 

 

Here goes my favorite pink umbrella. 

 

Should I laugh or should I cry :)(

 

 

Such awesome weather does wonders to the appetite.

 

A perfect drive. A perfect weekend. 

This drive really got a smile to my face and a sparkle back in my eyes.

Mulshi remains one of my favorite monsoon weekend getaway.

One can just go for a drive and enjoy the sights, have hot tea and snacks at the small humble eateries or have a day trip carry your lunch and have a picnic spread finding a good spot or one can even visit a resort and spend time. I am up for all options.

What do you like? Let us know..

What I wore-

Shorts and capris remain my monsoon favourite however it was too cold for either of them.

Denims- Levis
Cardigan- Splash
print Singlet- Ginger
Footwear- Goa Market
Umbrella- Mahabaleshwar market

You can shop for my look here

cardigan

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here

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heart umbrella

 

jelly monsoon flip flops

 

footwear

xoxo
Bhakti