I wanted to check out what the Ichiran hype was all about. The Japanese ramen chain
already has an outlet in Hong Kong, but I waited for this Tokyo trip.
Japan is really the best place to do it.
I heard lines can get crazy long. I was lucky the ramen gods were
good to me. Ichiran has many branches around Tokyo and some,
like this one, is open 24/7.
The wait was manageable at 11pm. Yes, I was so full from breakfast and lunch and all my
coffee and donut and bakery stops, I had to push dinner close to midnight!
You order from the vending machine. Don't worry, there are
English translations and photos to help you with the process.
After you pay it will give you these stubs. I ordered ramen + noodle refill (¥980),
Osukaran vinegar (¥80), half-boiled salted egg (¥120), and seaweed (¥80).
Whew! That was easy!
The stressful part for me was getting seated, but only because I am the worst with directions! Lol!
So I pressed the green button for assistance and a nice man came out to escort me to my seat.
It was all individual seating at Ichiran, where they believe the best ramen experience
can only be achieved when nothing separates you and your bowl.
No friend, no clingy boyfriend. Just you and your noodles.
Hangers and tissue. What a thoughtful gesture!
In the toilet were different rolls of toilet paper for different needs.
Another very thoughtful gesture. Lol!
My booth
You then customize your ramen. This is how I like mine.
I highly recommend you copy it!
Look! My very own water dispenser!
And then the weirdest thing happened.
The wall in front of me opened up and a pair of hands suddenly appeared with my ramen!
WHOA!!!
And egg
Which I thought could be less cooked
The hands appeared again and again until all my orders were complete
Then I took my first sip and almost hugged the stranger next to me!
THE ICHIRAN HYPE IS REAL!!!!! The tonkotsu broth was extremely rich and creamy,
the pork slices incredibly tender, the noodles long and perfectly firm, and the red pepper
sauce added even more excitement to everything. It was a bowl of heaven and I finished
all of it, between moans of pleasure, in no time.
I did not hug the stranger beside me, but I asked him to take a photo of me with my food
so I will always remember this night when I ordered two bowls of noodles and finished both.
How could I not??? Look at the beautiful and springy golden strands.
My stomach was near explosion levels but my mouth refused to stop slurping.
NO, I DID NOT FEEL GUILTY AFTER THIS.
In fact, I was thinking to do it all over again the very next day.
Which was why I did not buy these boxed ramen to bring home just yet,
so I had reason to come back before my trip ended. Wait for that post! :)
Ahhhhh I was so happily stuffed I practically rolled down the stairs
on my way out.
See my other Tokyo posts here.
