a startling discovery

today was a really weird, rushed day that culminated in me refurnishing an apartment in less than 4 hours. not mine. i don't know if that's a big accomplishment, but it felt like one, and i think i did it for less than $400. of course, as any home makeover show will tell you, it's all about the accessories, so a good chunk of my budget went towards the martha stewart defense fund at kmart (the guam store is supposedly the largest in the world, although i suspect it has to do with the (sinking) parking lot). good gravy, martha, why are your candles more expensive than your mini-springform pans (4 for $16, i couldn't resist--i'll be making mini-cheesecakes with caramelised nectarines soon).

anyway, at some point i realised i hadn't eaten all day, and i was going to get a pizza for the guys working with me, so i thought i would brave the food establishment within the mart o' da k--little caesar's (or is it li'l caesar's?). i had recently read a blog (i don't remember the url, sorry) from a korean guy who had recently visited guam; he loved the lasagna he had at little caesar's so much he ate it four times in the four days he was here. i find this both seriously horrifying and seriously fascinating. having never had said lasagna, i can't tell you what the attraction is; all i know is that a joint that can and does sell masses of 3-foot long pizzas for under $5 elicits a healthy amount of culinary scepticism on my part. but, i was famished, and even though marvin likes their 'za because he says you don't have to chew it, it just sort of slides down ya, i decided to get something as well.

so no, the surprising discovery isn't that i got a slice and marveled at its slidy goodness, it's that little caesar's (on guam anyway) has a pretty cheap, pretty good udon and ramen bar. yeah, i know, slap some furikake on my head and call me lunch, but i wasn't expecting ramen! ramen! in the pizza! pizza! joint. it's very basic, but the noodles aren't added to the dashi (clear broth) until you order it, and you can get fish cake, green onions, seaweed, and bamboo shoots added to your liking. the udon was good--firm and ungloopy--as was the soup, a medium density soy and bonito broth, with not that much msg. all the condiments were fresh, the server was v. accommodating regarding my desire for green onion breath, and i spent less than a fiver for my entire meal.

i don't know if i'll ever repeat this experience, but at least i know it's there in case the need for green onion breath arises next time i'm at the k.