changing old habits, starting new habits. or why do i have to give up my ramen?

i have to admit it, i'm a sucker for ramen.  really, really good ramen.  the stuff you get in japan, and you very rarely find in the states.  well, we have one of those places here in town.   it's EXCELLENT.  it's been written up in all the culinary mags, all the celebrity chefs go there after work to chow down after their shifts, and we've introduced several friends to the place.  i LOVE it.  but there's a problem.  pork.  they use pork broth and pork belly.  and i have to admit it, it is oh, so delectable, you end up licking your bowl.  so......how do i give up my ramen?  it's one of my true pleasures in this life.  it's one of those places that hubby and i can dash off to, and the wait staff knows us, knows our order, doesn't even hesitate when we come in, they KNOW what we're going to get.  and that's a wonderful feeling.  we've made friends with the manager, and we really care about her.  we keep up with her and her family, we chat, when we have the time, but they're usually very busy.  which is REALLY a great thing.  they've been a thriving restaurant for at least 4 years that we've been going there.

but........PORK?  how do i get around that?  i can't.  and this is my favorite place.  if i go veg or vegan, they're on my no go list.  and I LOVE the staff, i love the atmosphere, I LOVE THIS PLACE.  how do you grieve losing one of your favorite foods?a

i got addicted to ramen when i first flew to japan, and it was about all i could afford.  it was either that or mcdonalds.  and who wants to eat mcdonalds when you're in japan?  i know, the ugly american tourist, that's who.  well, there is a place, we call, "the pink telephone" because of a pay telephone outside the establishment that happens to be pink.  they have this dish that, in the middle of january or february, just makes sense.  chili pepper ramen.  you come in, communal tables, sit down where you can find a spot, there are boxes of tissues on the table, you'll soon find out why.  you order your soup.  its viscous, almost chewy broth is just heaven.  it's spicy, piquant, to the point of making your north american nasal passages let go.  that's okay, there's a box of tissues right there.  everyone is wiping their noses and sneezing and letting go.  it's good therapy.  it's clearing out what ails you.  when you come out, the only more perfect why to make the day exceptional is to hit the baths.  you're all bundled up, make your way back to the bus that takes you back to your hotel and you spend the next hour or so in your "capsule" bathroom steaming up the place, giving yourself a good steam bath.  ah, bliss.  but again....pork.

now the challenge is up to me to recreate these dishes with a vegan stock and ingredients.  is it possible?  i fear i'll come up short.  is there any rationalizing the occasional "slip" such as this?  oh, the dilemma this presents is just not fun to contemplate.  giving up my favorite dish to go 100% vegan or giving myself permission to "indulge" in a less than ideal behavior every now and then?  choices, choices.  i've always said perfection is boring.....