Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2011

Literally meaning “B-grade food,” but actually referring to grub that is neither gourmet nor strictly normal, b-kyu gourmet can be found in a rainbow of colors at Kikuya (10-3 Okawacho, Kitasenju, Adachi-ku; http://meturl.com/kikuya). Ramen (¥750) comes in violet, red, yellow, or blue (¥750). Add vinegar to the blue soup—and the soup turns pink before your very eyes! For cast-iron stomachs there is also cocoa, ice cream and café latté ramen. Let’s hope that doesn’t end with a rainbow of a different kind.