Ramen Time

For some, the word “ramen” conjures images of poor college students slurping additive-laden noodles in their dorm rooms, but ramen is so much more than that. Ramen has a long and storied history. Believed to be Chinese in origin, it became a popular noodle dish in Japan in the early 1900s. Disruptions to food supplies during WWII created an underground “black market” ramen business – you could be arrested if you were caught selling ramen without specific permission! The omnipresent instant ramen was not invented until 1958 and was considered something of a luxury food until the ’70s (later, in the US).

In celebration of this perfect comfort food, we are featuring an array of ramen-themed delights one might find here at Momo.

Colorful ramen bowls by Danica are large enough
for even the most decadent bowl of noodles. 

Wonderfully talented local designer Stasia Burrington’s
“Ramen Girl” pins are beyond adorable. 

100% cotton kitchen towels feature
12 different doodles of delectable ramen bowls.

The eternally popular Ramen Shark tee from SumoFish.

Wear your ramen on something other than your shirt!
Ramen tabbisocks to keep your tootsies warm.

No blog post about food would be complete without some dining suggestions! Here are some of our favorite places you can find ramen right here in the International District:

•As much as we refrain from cluing people in to our secret den of deliciousness, we can't help ourselves. Tsukushinbo serves ramen as their lunch special on Fridays. Their broth simmers for days before being deemed worthy.
•Fu Lin’s China-meets-Japan offering is affordable and hearty! Definitely add a side of gyoza.
•Next door neighbor Kaname specializes in two types of ramen: shio and miso tonkatsu. Pair with a cocktail made by Momo's very own Leland for a terrific dinner.
•Samurai Noodles is a neighborhood go-to. Added bonus: there are a variety of add-ons you can request for your soup.

Hello, Year of the Rooster!

Torn Tissue Rooster by Toni Yuly

On January 28, the world will greet the Lunar New Year of the Rooster — the Fire Rooster, to be specific. This feisty creature heralds a dynamic, high energy year wherein people will practice lessons in temperance and politeness. Folks born in the year of the Fire Rooster are known for their loyalty, trustworthiness and popularity.

The Wing Luke Asian Museum will kick things off on Saturday, January 28th from 10am to 5pm. ringing in the New Year with fun activities for the whole family. Lunar New Year games, arts and crafts, a stuffed animal petting zoo and much more! 

On Sunday, January 29th from 11am to 4pm, Seattle’s Chinatown-International District will continue the festivities in the heart of the ID. Sunday's celebration will be something to crow about with lots of cultural entertainment, including lion and dragon dancers, and drummers. And for the 7th year, check out the Adult and Children's Costume Contest and Parade, sure to be packed with creative cuties. More info available here.

For the foodies out there, there will be the famous $3 Food Walk (view menu here). Get 5 stamps from participating restaurants and enter for a chance to win prizes from Delta Airlines and Steven’s Pass Mountain Resort! 

And do visit your local shops (especially Momo!) while you’re in the neighborhood. You never know what New Year treats you might find.

Are you a Rooster? Here's a fun little chart that Momo Girl Angela found!

What to Wear to the Apocalypse?

Happy New Year! For the first post of the year, I’m honored to turn the Momo blog over to guest writer and Momo Girl Leslie Haynes.

Leslie shows her stripes

Momo lovers, I am pissed. Royally. Proletariatly. I’m pissed that a man who brags about grabbing pussies will soon be the President of these United States. That’s why I’m grabbing mine and heading to the other Washington for the Women’s March to defend the rights of woman and the rights of other marginalized groups.

What’s a mother-loving fashion-activist to wear to this event? If nothing else, we PNWers know about layers. I’m pulling out my favorite Momo pieces. I’ve set aside a black Cop-copine top with metal snaps up one side. When I tried it on at the FLASH sale, I felt like a Warrior Princess. So that’s a must. My father, Sterling, gifted me a Momo certificate for Christmas, and I vowed to spend it on something extravagant. With the help of my buddy, Chris Higashi, and two Momo men, I decided on the Vintage Kimono wrap pants handmade in Kyoto. Sterling loves an extravagant gesture and a good story. Two birds, one pair of pants. I already adore the swish of the legs and know, from experience, that a pair of Tabbisocks underneath will help me keep warm in a storm and protect my lady parts. 

I just signed up for The Peace Ball: Voices of Hope and Resistance to be held at my favorite eatery, Busboys and Poets. For that, the Azul pinstriped onesie is the ticket. It’s not really a onesie. It is an elegant jump suit. Think coveralls for the martini set. In it, I feel free and strong. The last time I visited this item at Momo, I hummed the first verse of Helen Reddy’s “I am woman, hear me roar in numbers too big to ignore, and I know too much to go back and pretend. Cuz I’ve heard it all before, and I’ve been down there on the floor. No one’s ever going to keep me down again.” Ahem. Where was I? Ah, yes. Outfits. I’ll pair that with a dramatic Metalicus sweater that I bought years ago, when Momo was just a baby. It’s seen better days, but, hey, haven’t we all?! I’m going to pack the palazzo pants from Dress to Kill that I splurged on right before a big interview, with thanks to Lala for the advice and support. They hide a multitude of sins. I didn’t get the job, but — once again — the pants are the prize. Recycled cashmere fingerless gloves? Check. Girlband? Double check. Both matte and fuzzy versions. I’m still not quite sure how to wear them, but I know they keep my ears warm. All in stock now at Momo.

My palate is Seattle black and grays. But this time I’m adding a bit of hot pink, the better to go with my Pussy Hat. Do you know about the Pussy Hat Project? LA-based DIYers have mobilized knitters and enlisted yarn stores across the nation to make enough hats for all marchers. But Seattle is SOLD OUT. So I had to find a friend who knits. I put the call out. First up, Lala. She worked her network and directed me to Alicia at Churchmouse Yarns on Bainbridge Island. (Pussy Hat from a Churchmouse. Tee hee.) Alicia committed to making 12 hats. Numbers 1 to 11 were claimed. I was Lucky #12. She emailed me with mouse-like speed. “And before you ask ... I’m not charging for any of my hats. My payment will be to see people (including my dad!) wearing pink hats and marching in solidarity. That will make me happy and proud, and that's payment enough...” Didn’t she want some Apple Butter, my specialty? A home-cooked meal? Nope. She wants me to pay it forward. And I shall. Then Roz, a friend and forever educator in Portland, bit on a Facebook ask. “I can knit a scarf,” she said. “And the Pussy Hat pattern is basically a modified mini scarf.” She sent me a photo of her work in progress: from her hand to my head (and heart). 

Momo lovers, I am no longer pissed. Instead, I am basking in all this woman love. Go get yours. And then march!

Churchmouse knitter, Alicia