Category: Lifestyle

Slurp Your Way Through Japan: 4 Regional Ramen Styles Worth the Flight

Ramen isn’t just soup with noodles — in Japan, it’s practically a geography lesson in a bowl. Each region has its own spin, tied to local flavours, climate quirks and centuries of food tradition. These bowls are cultural landmarks in broth form — salty seas up north, garlicky decadence down south, and everything in between. If you thought ramen was just soy, salt or miso, think again. Japan’s regional ramen is a culinary map that shows how food adapts and thrives wherever it lands. Here are four iconic bowls that tell their own story — and where to find the best versions. Kumamoto Ramen: Garlic Lovers, Assemble Right next door to Hakata but with its own flair, Kumamoto ramen keeps it porky but tones it down with a bit of chicken stock. The real star? Garlic — smoky black garlic oil drizzled on top and crispy garlic chips tossed in for good measure. It’s bold, bitter and earthy, perfect for cutting through the richness. Old-school spots like Komurasaki (since 1954) and Keika (since 1955) made this style famous, with Keika even taking it to Tokyo. Yokohama Iekei Ramen: The 70s Rebel Born in the 1970s, Yokohama’s iekei ramen is a mash-up of Hakata’s tonkotsu depth and Tokyo’s soy sharpness. The broth is thick, salty, fatty, and almost creamy — basically the kind of comfort food you need after a long night out. The noodles are thick and chewy, with toppings like spinach, nori and (if you’re brave) a dollop of garlic paste. Yoshimuraya is the OG shop (since 1974), while Sugita-ya carried the torch into the 80s. Hakodate Ramen: Clean & Classic Forget heavy, oily bowls — Hakodate keeps it light with a clear shio (salt) broth. Made from chicken bones, kelp and dried seafood, it’s elegant and comforting, almost like sipping on a refined soup. Straight noodles, minimal toppings, nothing too fussy. If you want the purest taste, head to Ajisai (since 1930) or long-standing favourite Seiryuken. Kitakata Ramen: Noodles on Centre Stage Over in Fukushima, the town of Kitakata lives and breathes ramen — so much that locals happily eat it for breakfast. The signature style? Wide, flat noodles with a bouncy chew, swimming in a soy-based pork broth that’s flavourful without being overwhelming. It’s all about the texture here. For the true experience, check out Bannai Shokudo (founded in 1951) or the legendary Genraiken, which dates back to the 1920s. The takeaway? Ramen is more than a quick comfort fix — it’s Japan’s edible travel guide. Each bowl tells you something about where it came from, and if you’re a noodle enthusiast, these regional styles deserve a spot on your bucket list.

La Tête d’Or: Daniel Boulud’s Swanky New Steakhouse is the Talk of New York

If New York needed another reason to brag about its food scene, Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud just handed it one on a silver platter. His latest opening, La Tête d’Or, is no ordinary restaurant — it’s his first-ever steakhouse, sitting pretty at the base of One Madison tower, right across from the leafy elegance of Madison Square Park. Think of it as France meets Manhattan in the most extravagant way possible. Designed by the Rockwell Group (aka the cool kids of architectural drama), the space oozes Parisian flair: glass façade sparkling by day, red leather and dark marble glowing by night, with an open kitchen and wood-fired grill putting on a show at centre stage. If a steakhouse could strut, this would be it. And the name? Borrowed from Parc de la Tête d’Or in Lyon, Boulud’s hometown — so yes, there’s heart behind all that high design. Step inside and you’ll find five distinct dining areas, each serving major “haute cuisine but make it sexy” vibes. There’s art deco, walnut wood, and enough polished detail to make even the chicest New Yorker pause for an Instagram story. Menu-wise, it’s prime cuts, French finesse, and a little theatre on the plate. But the cherry on top is Le Jardin sur Madison, a rooftop perch on the 28th floor with sweeping city views — the kind of place where you sip something sparkling and pretend you’re in a movie montage. La Tête d’Or isn’t just a restaurant, it’s New York’s latest dining spectacle — a reminder that in the city that never sleeps, luxury and flavour still find new ways to outdo themselves.

Davido Gifted Chioma a $300K Watch and a $950K Ring at Their Miami Wedding

Davido and Chioma’s Miami wedding already had the glitter of a thousand flashbulbs — designer gowns, an ocean breeze, and a guest list dripping in star power. But just when you thought the romance couldn’t possibly sparkle more, Davido dropped a surprise that could light up the Florida coastline. Mid-reception, in struts celebrity jeweller Benny Da Jeweler — the man behind some of the most jaw-dropping timepieces and bling in celebrity history — holding a little box with a very big secret: a $300K+ Richard Mille watch for Chioma. The bride’s reaction? Pure joy. Ours? Somewhere between a gasp and Googling “how to marry a Davido.” And just because one gasp-worthy gift clearly wasn’t enough, Benny also revealed he was the mastermind behind Chioma’s wedding ring: a 10-carat, GIA-certified, F-colour oval diamond worth a casual $950K. Yes, nearly a million dollars sparkling on her finger. Weddings are supposed to be about love and commitment… but if yours also includes luxury jewellery with a postcode-sized price tag? Well, we won’t say no.