That looks like a really nice ramen dish! My favorite ramen that I have tried so far is Santouka: https://www.santouka-usa.com/ I tried Bellevue location that is our local one and one in Harvard while my son was there for a summer program, both were excellent.
It is cool that you got to experience that kind of friendship. I had a best friend in Ukraine when we were growing up, the last time I saw and spoke to him was in 2008 so that is long gone... Right now my best friend is actually my wife :) And that is one friendship I hope will last our lifetime...