Orochon Ramen at Rai Rai Ken, Yokohama

This photo may look familiar. It looks similar to a bowl from a couple of days ago, right? Look a bit closer though and you'll notice one huge difference: how much more red the broth is. Yep - thanks to the help of a friend, we finally realized that this shop was indeed selling orochon ramen, the former word of which is a reference to some fire festival from the Ainu people in Hokkaido. And you specify how spicy you want the broth, all explained in an amusing sign overhead (albeit in Japanese).

Presumably last time they gave us the lowest #2 grade, which anyone should be able to eat. #4 is a bit spicier, while #6 is supposed to be able to scare off a bear. The sign said that if you order #10, then you have to cover your own medical bills, while they absolve all responsibility if you go for the top #20.

This bowl here was #6, which was just enough to be enjoyable to me without being excessive. We probably could have pushed it to #10 with no problem, although that might not necessarily be as fun to eat. Either way, it's always cool to see these kinds of shops with scales of spiciness.

P.S. I don't have the exact address nor phone number, but if you come out of the JR Kannai station, then head toward Isezaki Mall. The shop is located on a small street sandwiched between the big Route 16 and the Isezaki Mall Shopping Street, perhaps two blocks inward from the Metropolitan Expressway on the east side of the street. The sign is in red with yellow lettering and features a black bear wearing yellow clothes.