Market Street
Bullet Ramen
Your ramen.
Ramen Samurai
All the boss does is complain. He's way too strict.
Why should we put up with it?
There's no logic to it.
His ideas are so old-fashioned.
They sure are.
- Move! - What's wrong?
Look. You've ruined the broth.
Couldn't you smell it?
It's burnt on the bottom!
You call yourselves ramen cooks?
You can't even tell when the stock is burning.
You're both clueless.
It's ruined and you don't even realize it.
Mukai.
We'll have to close for the night.
I shouldn't have to tell you how to do your job.
This broth is years old, it's my father's recipe.
It's the heart of our ramen. You just killed it.
Start again, you idiots!
Customers say it's different to his dad's.
Stop being so picky, you know he's busting his butt.
And so are we.
He's trying to teach you how to do it properly.
Is there a problem?
We've really tried to support you.
But you only inherited this place.
It's your dad's stock, his customers, and this was his restaurant.
And you tell us to start from scratch?
I just want you to be the best.
If you don't like it, leave.
I damn well will! There's plenty of other jobs.
Mukai, no.
Leave them.
You're back early.
Hey, Mom.
I hear your cooks walked out.
I've been back from Tokyo for 6 years.
I've worked my butt off at the noodle bar.
They're always saying I don't have my own, signature ramen.
That's what they say.
Dad never took the time to teach me properly.
So maybe they're right.
If there's something you'd rather be doing,
get out and do it.
You should do what you want.
Go back to being a designer.
Close the restaurant.
This bar girl is really cute.
Really?
You should see the boobs on Yuka.
Keiko has a really husky voice.
Too much booze.
Hikaru, what shall we have for lunch?
It's only 10:30.
Tempura over rice.
Or maybe eel?
Be careful.
The boss can hear.
I wouldn't mind some Korean barbecue.
Look.
Your packed lunch.
You want it?
Your wife made it.
As long as I bring it home empty, she's happy.
That's how I show my love.
That's not love. It's like you're cheating on her.
You're out every night drinking with bar girls.
She gets up early to make your lunch.
Don't you ever consider her?
Why get so excited? You know nothing about life.
You don't know anything!
Keep your voice down!
Bullet Ramen
Here you are, folks.
Change at Hakata for the express to Tokyo.
Hikaru!
Mom.
If you're leaving home, you should at least wear shoes.
I don't want to be a ramen cook.
I'll work and go to night school.
Become a graphic designer.
I understand.
Be your own man, do what you want.
Fried capsicum and egg roll. Your favorites.
I made the egg extra sweet.
Go on, leave boy.
Take care.
Do your best!
He's just come in. Please hold.
A call for you.
Hello?
Mom?
What? Dad had a stroke?
CLOSED Due to a death in the family
Dad...
Bullet Ramen
Hello there.
Going back to Kyushu, are you?
Yes.
I terminated my lease and sent my things back.
Ls that right?
Your wife's lunch?
I do eat it sometimes.
Not because of anything you said, though.
Thanks for all your guidance.
Excuse me.
You can spend your life making ads and commercials.
But very few people appreciate what you do.
Doesn't matter how good the work.
But I must say...
you did some damn fine work.
I always got the feeling you were striving to improve yourself.
But, hey.
By taking over your dad's noodle bar, you can still retain that spirit.
I mean, even with ramen noodles...
you can still be an artist.
The people who come and pay for your noodles,
will be able to appreciate what you're doing.
So, you can... l mean...
Give it your best shot.
Thanks for everything.
Kurume City
Welcome home.
Deep down, I always knew I'd end up back here doing this.
No matter where I went, I'd end up taking over Dad's noodle bar.
It was inevitable.
Hikaru, what are you moping for?
Extra noodles.
We don't do extras in Kurume.
Listen, boy.
Life's like a bowl of ramen.
Get it while it's hot.
Hurry up and make up your mind.
Hey! I asked for extra noodles.
Don't push me too far!
We're talking about life and death here.
Here's your bloody noodles!
FOR RENT
Anything exciting happening?
I lost my boyfriend.
Lost love? That's sad.
Okay, I'll sing you a sad song.
Hello? Mom?
Come on out. Let's have a drink.
Pork-Broth Ramen Established 1937
I haven't been to a Yatai stall for years.
Me neither.
Most of the stalls in town have closed down.
This street used to be lined with Yatai stalls.
Are you from around here?
My Dad used to have a stall down here.
I grew up here.
- Who was your dad? - Bullet Ramen.
Oh, the Bullet.
Didn't the pork-broth ramen boom start here?
Your place was one of the very first.
Yatai are a part of Kurume's cultural heritage.
Over the past year, three have closed down.
The police say any new stalls are not permitted.
Licenses can only go to next of kin.
So I hear.
But, in this day and age, no youngsters want to take over.
The famous Yatai stalls of Kurume won't be around much longer.
Good evening.
Welcome, lads.
Two of us.
Freezing, isn't it?
The Yatai and the town are dying.
We shouldn't let it happen.
Mom.
I've given up on my career as a designer.
I want to follow in Dad's footsteps.
Dad made an art of ramen noodles.
That's what brought life to Kurume.
We were dirt poor.
As poor as could be.
But it was fun.
There was no way to go except up.
We had nothing to lose.
Back then, Kurume was a bustling town.
The noodles your dad made were a part of that excitement.
That's it.
I want to do what Dad did.
I want to brighten up people's lives with good, quality ramen.
Revive the unique taste he created.
But, over and above that...
I want to create my own, original, signature ramen.
Maybe even get my own Yatai, like this one
Are you serious?
I'm entitled to inherit Dad's license, it's my birthright.
After all, what brings tourists here? Our famous Yatai-stalls.
So why are they all closing down?
They all use the same excuse about times being tough.
But they just don't have the guts to fight back.
I'll develop my signature ramen.
Something to help bring back the bustling Kurume of old.
One more for my boy.
This one's on me.
Bullet Ramen
Look at that. You're very talented, boy.
Look at this Yatai.
I like the modern design.
Your ramen, sir.
Don't you pull that caper here!
What happened?
This pervert was feeling up that poor girl.
Beat it!
Well done.
Good man. Have one on me.
Noboru!
Help, there's some Yakuza fighting in my stall.
I've got cops demanding I feed them for free.
I've got a fight on my hands.
Leave it to me.
I'll go knock some sense into them!
This way, Noboru. Through here.
Not again.
What a deadbeat.
Hey, Hikaru!
Gimme a drink.
You've had enough.
You?
She can't talk.
She's got nowhere to go.
No problem. She can stay with us.
Hey, listen...
You...
Darling?
The booze and the blows finally got to him.
What do we do?
Leave him here.
What's your name?
Kinako?
Or Kineko?
Where are you from?
Where-are-you-from?
Kokura City?
Where's your family?
Your-family?
My dad went missing.
A bad man took all his money.
A man and my mother...
ran away together.
Refugees from Japanese occupied China?
Who was that man yesterday?
He is a man who sells...
women.
He tried to...
sell me.
As a prostitute.
Enough!
You can't erase the past.
Just do your best, that's all you can do.
Kinako, from today, you work for me! That's all.
Mushrooms grow in our place.
No way.
Mushrooms can't grow in a house.
It's true. I'll show you.
I'm home.
See?
I wasn't lying.
See, we've got real mushrooms growing indoors.
Fantastic.
- How cool. - A modern miracle.
Only once did I ever regret being poor.
It was back then.
That was when I decided we'd get our own home.
Boss.
Let me show you something.
How to make my dad's broth.
Isn't that a secret recipe?
It was. Come on.
I'll shut down first.
Here.
Excuse me.
Listen up.
Fill with water up to here.
Then, salt, garlic and grated ginger.
After boiling, add soy sauce.
Finally, add the kelp extract.
Okay, give it a try.
Smell this.
My dad's ramen essence.
Taste it.
Use your finger.
- You sure? - Go ahead.
Delicious. Full of flavor.
Remember that taste.
The rest is up to you.
But why?
Why are you teaching me this?
Listen, Mukai.
You'll take over the noodle bar.
I won't be around for a while.
Boss?
What will you be doing?
I'll be trying to make Kurume what it used to be.
I want to bring this town back to life.
With ramen noodles?
No way, Hikaru. No one makes Yatai these days.
The cops are shutting them all down.
Forget that, make it for me.
Hello.
The cops stopped your dad from operating his Yatai.
Remember all that trouble?
Plus, the current Yatai operators will all protest.
None of that matters.
I just want you to build one for me.
But what's the point?
Why not?
You're Noboru's boy, aren't you?
- Yes. - I thought so.
A Yatai stall, eh?
I'll build it for you.
Dad.
You just leave it to me.
I'll make a better one than this.
Yatai are what's needed to bring some life back to this town.
Thanks very much.
The old-timers didn't offer pickled ginger as a topping.
They used bamboo shoots.
Fresh shoots, not those tasteless canned ones.
Right.
You inherited Bullet Ramen, didn't you?
Your old man used to dig with me.
Then I'd go drink at his Yatai.
I used to enjoy a drink with your dad.
Even after all these years, I still remember the taste.
Have a go.
Your dad dug his own shoots.
Where do I dig?
Where you stand.
Put your back into it, boy.
Look.
My favorite cartoon character.
Why-do-you
use-a-slate?
'Cos we're poor.
All our money goes on booze and fighting.
Dad's always paying compensation for damage.
How come?
Come in.
Still open?
Yes, of course we are.
Two ramen, please.
Two here!
Sorry. Cancel that order.
I'm sorry.
Are you sure?
No, don't!
Shampoo.
Don't you find that funny?
Then there was that girl...
Hey, big boy.
You know, I've always fancied you.
Stop that!
Yoshiko!
My hair!
That hurts! Stop it.
She pulled out a hank and left a bald spot.
That cost us a month's takings.
Not funny?
How about this?
Fight! A big fight!
A couple of Yakuza out on the bridge.
No!
Here, take this.
Now go at it.
Get into it!
Okay, that's enough.
It's over now.
They drank free all night.
Not funny?
That's why no sketch book.
So Mom got me the slate and chalk.
You can use a slate over and over again.
Dear.
You know, I've never once seen her smile.
Why should she?
But we're a service business.
She survived, that's all that matters.
Can I get a drink?
Welcome.
Sit down.
Have a sip before you grab the glass.
Yoshiko.
On the house.
From my first wages.
What's the matter, Kinako?
That's me in the photo.
How...?
You?
Is that you?
Kineko?
Daddy.
Kineko.
My poor Kineko.
Boss.
- I'm leaving. - Good work.
Lard?
Watch carefully.
Our secret is deep-frying this saddle of pork.
Look at it.
This is how I reduce it down to pork crackling.
Golden Balls?
Stupid! Gilded Cage!
Perfect for a cripple and his dumb daughter.
You like the name, right?
Both stalls complement each other.
Sake and grilled chicken skewers. Sake and ramen.
Everything under one roof.
Once they're in no need to leave.
They can eat their fill and drink themselves silly.
Okay, let's get started.
I had to borrow the money.
Your dad didn't put in a penny.
Like a bullet, he only sees what's in front of him.
If this fails, we'll have to do a moonlight flit.
Thank you for waiting.
Two more ready to go!
See! Just as I predicted.
Business is booming.
Such a deadbeat.
I gotta take a piss.
He's taking a leak in here.
Put it back, or I'll cut it off!
Listen, Noboru.
Yes, Godfather?
You're making a pretty penny here.
Does it still taste as good?
Line up, pay your money and see for yourself.
Cheeky bastard!
Back off.
Pull those arms up.
His legs, too.
Not enough room.
As fast as we earn it, he drinks it away.
I've had enough.
Is that you?
What's wrong?
It's your house. It's on fire.
This way!
Run! Let's go!
Move! Let me through.
Let us through.
I'll save the essence.
Don't!
Noboru!
Noboru.
Daddy.
Mommy.
What did you get?
You ran in there to get a pillow?
Are you insane?
That's my damn pillow.
Mom, where's Kinako?
Kinako?
She followed you inside.
What?
Kineko.
Kineko!
No, don't.
I'll get her.
Kinako, come here!
Are you okay?
Are you alright?
Thank god you're all safe.
What did you grab?
Thank you so much.
She's smiling.
Kineko.
That's it.
Here you are.
Thanks.
Just as we started doing well...
some men from the City Office came to see us.
Saito, City Planning Dept.
In order to modernize the entire city,
we're widening the road in front of the station.
There'll be a pedestrian plaza out the front.
We can't really have a jumble of Yatai stalls on the main street.
They won't fit in with the decor.
Are you telling me I have to close down my Yatai?
All we're doing is passing on what the council has decided.
You useless pencil-pushers!
Yatai put Kurume on the map.
That's what brings people down here.
And now you want to close us all down?
It's totally stupid.
We're just informing you of the decision.
The actual evictions are carried out by the police.
Let me go!
You said your piece.
But just look around you.
It's not a boom town any more.
They built that new rubber factory.
The new workers eke out a living.
The post-war construction boom has all but finished.
Our ramen once sold for 60 yen a bowl.
Now it's 200 yen.
Even at 200 yen, we barely make a living from it.
People don't eat out like they used to.
We can't raise our prices.
If we did, no one could afford to go out eating and drinking.
They'll stay at home.
You're still chasing those tired, old dreams.
Face reality.
They're building a big plaza here.
Old-fashioned Yatai won't fit in.
That's the reality.
But this is my life.
I can't stop doing it.
I won't stop!
After that, he really threw himself into it.
He kept the stall, he chased off the police.
But that wasn't the worst of it.
Someone actually tried to kill him.
Kill him? What do you mean?
The developers brought in Yakuza to rouse the stallholders.
Typically, your Dad ended up negotiating for everyone.
The Yakuza knew he was the leader, they threatened to get rid of him.
Ls that true?
It sure is.
So, what happened?
Can you believe what he said to me?
Yoshiko, you go.
Me go see the Godfather?
If he tries anything on me, I'm liable to put up a fight.
That's easy for you to say.
But I reckon you're just scared.
No way.
Anyway, I'm not going to face off with the Godfather.
Never! Out of the question.
Excuse me?
Is Godfather Morita available?
I'm so sorry, sir!
Please don't kill my husband.
Shut up, woman!
Take a good look.
Your husband did that to him.
We have a small child.
We're as poor as church mice, even poorer.
If I lose my man, I'll end up hanging myself.
Are you a man who'd stand by and watch a family die out?
Are you a man who'd wipe out a poor family?
I don't care any more!
Go on, cut me up now!
Get your guns and shoot me full of holes.
Pull out your swords and cut me into little pieces!
Come on, get it over with!
I wanted to raise my boy to manhood.
Then take him out to a Yatai and share a drink with him.
But I'll put all that aside now.
We may be dirt-poor, but we're happy.
Being poor has brought us closer together.
I've had my pleasure, so finish me off!
I can watch over my boy from Heaven.
I'll make sure he grows up to be a fine man.
Doesn't matter if he's a homeless orphan, he'll survive somehow.
He'll live a straight, honest life! I'll see to that!
Hikaru! I'll be looking down from Heaven!
Do your best, my boy.
Finish me off, now!
Get it over with.
Enough!
I've heard enough.
Forget it
On your way.
Are you sure?
Get out of my sight, you banshee.
Take your Sake with you.
Let Noboru drink it.
Mom.
This ramen Dad wanted to create.
What was it like?
Well...
he got to the point where he said he couldn't do it.
He was about to close down for good.
He finally thought he was getting close to perfection.
But he couldn't get it right and he lost his confidence.
Ramen.
Here you are.
Good.
It's really good.
You know what's good about it?
Because it's consistently good.
Much to my regret.
This may be my last chance to enjoy it.
Sort of like my Last Supper.
That was the last time we ever saw the Godfather.
But I think him coming that night was what saved your father.
That one bowl of ramen.
The Godfather could forget he was dying.
He said it was really good.
This is our best flour, tell me how it goes.
- Thank you. - See you next time.
You go.
Why me?
You go first.
See him?
No, I can't.
Come on in.
Sorry...
Look...
we've both been working at other noodle bars.
But it's become obvious to both of us.
You're the only one who's dedicated to ramen.
Naturally.
I'm a ramen artist.
An artist?
Isn't it obvious?
Sorry we were so disrespectful.
I know it's probably too late.
But we wanted to come and tell you.
We'll never forget what you've taught us.
Thank you.
Wait up.
Have you got jobs?
If you want work,
you're welcome back here.
Are you sure?
Yes. I'm positive.
Watch it!
Don't bash it, you'll warp it.
Watch this.
Here you are.
Your yakitori.
That's good.
Only the best.
Isn't this Sawajima's old place?
I'm his grandson.
I inherited the old man's license.
Ls that right?
You're young to be running a Yatai.
I don't care what anyone says, I'm not closing down.
Here's your beer.
Not many young people running Yatai.
There's still hope for Kurume yet.
It's just starting.
That reminds me of something I'll never forget.
The Licensing Police came.
Two more stallholders have agreed to close down.
- We should, too. - I'm not leaving.
That's my stall, that's where I'm saying.
When the stall is dead, that's when I'll die.
I won't let that happen.
When you die, Kurume's best ramen will die with you.
Yours is the best in town.
Yoshiko...
Let's close while we have the chance.
We can open a proper noodle bar.
Even in a fixed site, your ramen will still be the best.
All your loyal customers will still come to a noodle bar.
Then, one day, when Hikaru is all grown up,
he may even want to follow in your footsteps.
This is not the time to be giving up.
Don't go down with the Yatai.
Start up a noodle bar.
There's no way we can get that kind of money.
Yoshiko...
When we had the fire, you laughed because I went back for your pillow.
Savings Account
Yoshiko...?
Just in case I died before you or Hikaru.
I squirreled away enough to see you through.
Use it to open a noodle bar.
Thank you...
Thank you, he said.
The first and only time he ever thanked me.
You don't have to burn the stall.
She's right.
You can sell the license to someone.
I'd never sell my Yatai to anyone.
Farewell to my Yatai!
Who could've guessed how things would turn out?
That's so right.
Kineko and I will go back to Kokura.
We'll start up our own grilled chicken bar.
Father and daughter, that'll be great.
Things have turned out well for you.
Together, you can pull it off.
Kina...
No, sorry. Kineko, take care.
Where's the boss?
Out drinking.
He doesn't want you to see him crying.
I'll never forget what you did for us.
Please pass that on to him.
Thank you
(Sayonara)
Why did Dad get into ramen in the first place?
Before you born,
your dad was an itinerant salesman.
A peddler?
Roll up, roll up, one and all.
Take a good look at the black powder in this bag.
It's no ordinary charcoal, it's a blessed medicine.
My hometown, Harusato, in Shinshu, has 100 year old monkeys.
We cremate these Wonders of Nature and crush their bones to ashes.
To make this Black Monkey Powder.
Was Dad from Shinshu?
Not at all.
100 year old monkeys?
There's no such thing.
Black Monkey Powder?
He made it up.
It was plain old charcoal.
This will cure anything.
Gives a man vigor.
If a barren woman takes this,
I can guarantee you, ten months later,
she'll have a plump, healthy child.
And this miraculous tonic is only 50 yen!
But for you good people, only 40 yen!
Excuse me. I'll take one.
Is it helping your sister?
Black Monkey Powder has almost cured her.
That's wonderful.
Thank you.
Take care.
I'll take one.
One more over here.
Two? Smart decision, Ma'am.
Plenty for everyone.
Can I get one of your potions, please?
Sorry, I've sold out.
Please. My father's confined to his bed.
Please, he really needs it.
I beg you.
He fooled me, too.
Then, after that,
he kept on fooling me all his life.
I came from a big, poor family.
Soon as I was old enough, I was sent out to work as a maid.
He kept urging me to come to Kurume.
He said he'd find me work and a place to stay.
Ls that when you came to Kurume?
He met me at Kurume station, strutting his stuff, like always.
And, yet again, he fooled me.
There was no job, no place to stay.
I vowed I'd never let him fool me again.
So I rejected him.
Then he swore he'd give up peddling.
Said he'd get a job, work hard and marry me.
Listen, boy.
What's your trade?
Marriage is about responsibility.
A man takes care of his wife.
Before you know it, the babies come.
What's your trade, boy?
I run a Yatai in Kurume, selling ramen.
Your own business?
Ls that right?
Very good.
Listen.
Stop there.
Why did you lie like that?
Ramen stall? Have you ever made ramen?
When you start out with nothing, your options are limited.
What?
For a poor kid from Kurume, ramen is my only option.
I refuse to be a loser.
You just watch me. I'll make the best ramen in Kurume.
But after that, things only got worse.
He was working and learning how to make ramen.
He was determined to make his own, signature ramen.
Or so he said.
But he spent all his earnings on drink.
We had nothing back in those days.
Yoshiko?
Listen.
What?
You keep saying you'll start your own business, but look at you.
I'm sick of looking at you.
Then why are you still here?
I wish...
I wish you were dead.
You deserve it!
Okay then!
You want me dead?
Then watch me slice my guts up.
Go on, do it!
Show your unborn baby how you do it.
Show what a stupid father you are.
Baby?
Yes, a baby.
The baby I'm carrying in my belly.
I'm pregnant.
My baby?
Why "Bullet Ramen?"
Just like me. Going forward and no stopping.
Like a bullet out of a gun.
Nothing can stop me.
See Hikaru, I'll be the best in all Kurume.
And my ramen will make this town famous.
That's it.
That's the taste.
It's all done.
I'll get it.
Hello?
Hikaru. The Licensing Squad.
Yes, hello?
Permission refused?
You said I was entitled to my father's license.
It's my birthright!
They can't stop me.
We'll do it anyway.
What?
He's out there without a license?
Yes, a new red and white stall.
It looks really smart.
You idiot!
What should I do?
Get that monstrosity off the streets!
And do it now!
Bullet Ramen
Here's your ramen.