Travel, for me, means a culinary quest. Be it while shopping or sight seeing a part of me would always be wondering how to tickle my insatiably curious palate.

I was travelling with my husband in Osaka during Christmas holidays and on a Christmas eve we were on the lookout for something specific – Ramen.

That’s when we came across a restaurant called Ichiran Ramen, which we later realized is a popular chain across the world. They say that they dish out the best ramen by sticking to a fascinating 15 seconds rule. But what I did not know was that they are also popular for incredibly long queues.

The queue was already reaching the banks of the Dotonbori river. But by then we had a steely resolve arising from tempted taste buds and a grumbling stomach, hence we decided to join the queue!

After about an hour and a half we reached the door steps of the restaurant to eventually meet a staff. I was glad that we could soon get a table, unwind with hot ramen, and share photos in Instagram while at it. The staff ushered me in and to my utter shock, I found myself in another waiting room. The only relief that overcame me at this threshold was I could get a glimpse of the menu and place my order ahead. For the first time in my life, I saw a menu that looked akin to a vending machine!

The menu aka vending machine would accept money ( a reminder here on how cash friendly Japan is) and print out the bill which needs to be taken inside the restaurant. After placing an order that would survive me another day, I waited patiently. By the time the next door opened I was sure I was going to get the table as I could even hear the staff serving the food on tables. As I approached the next door I was given a form to fill out. Patience is indeed a virtue, but a hungry person needs food alone, not virtues!

The form neatly listed questions that were intended to understand how I would like my Ramen. From the texture of noodles, the flavour of the broth, the add ons etc. I took my time to fill all the details and waited for my turn.

Finally the curtains parted, I saw people seated in front of tables and the staff hurried me in. I was led to a booth and made to sit facing a bamboo curtain. I was alone in this booth, wooden planks covered all three sides and it felt like I was about to have a rendezvous with Ramen!

The curtain rises, a friendly face smiles at me and tells me that my dish is being freshly prepared, he pushes a cup against me and gestures to the tap. As I drink the water, the curtain rises again and this time a noodle bowl is presented to me with care.

The next couple of minutes were perhaps the most silent moments of my life. A quiet rendezvous, literally except for the slurping, as all of us in the room relished the ramen. As I finished the refreshingly hot and deviously delicious food, I pushed it back and waited for the dessert. It was then that I saw a simple poster next to me.

Kotodama (言霊) is a Japanese concept that refers to the belief that words possess a mystical power, capable of influencing reality and manifesting desired outcomes. It combines the words “koto” (言), meaning word or speech, and “tama” (霊 or 魂), meaning spirit or soul. Essentially, kotodama posits that words have a spiritual essence that can affect both the speaker and their environment.

As I reflected upon the concept, I realized how I was witnessing this phenomenon on the banks of Dotonbori. The air around me had always been quiet, amicable and cheerful. The Japanese value silence above all, if it had to be said, then it was said with a politeness that you can’t help succumb to with earnestness. A powerful practice that I took back with me was Kotodama. If anything is worth thawing the silence, it is only Kotodama.

PS: Ichiran Ramen contains beef or pork broth. If you can’t have either, break the silence! The matcha cake is heavenly!