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These pics are from a ramen shop, Shoki Ramen House, that just opened in my neighborhood. I think the pictures say a lot about living small, focusing on what you are most passionate about (in this case, food and family) and the communal power of shared spaces but a few facts might help.

• The shop makes everything from scratch, using as many local ingredients as possible.
• It has eight tables.
• The photos were for the LUNCH-HOUR, where there was a 30 minute wait (and yes, people were waiting). Dinner often has longer lines. This for a meal in Japan that is considered “fast food.”

If you can’t read it, the sign says,

Thank you for choosing Shoki Ramen House. Here at Shoki’s, we strive to provide excellent service and an excellent bowl of delicious ramen. We are a family-owned business and this is a tiny restaurant that can seat only 20 customers. Because we are so small, we have been told by our customers that it feels “like home.” We consider our customers like family as well. There are times that we may ask you to “share” a table with another customer, especially during peak hours. We realize that this may cause an inconvenience, but we thank you in advance for understanding and cooperation. Thank you!

Jason