When I first walked into Ichiran, I felt like I was stepping into a secret ramen society—quiet, focused, and almost sacred.
Seeking a ramen experience with minimal distractions?
Ichiran is renowned for its individual dining booths and customizable tonkotsu ramen, allowing you to focus solely on your meal.
Here’s how to navigate Ichiran like a local.
1. First Impressions: What to Expect at Ichiran
Ichiran offers:
- Rich tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen with thin noodles
- Private booths designed for solo dining
- Customizable options for flavor strength, richness, garlic amount, green onion type, noodle firmness, and spice level
- An ordering system via vending machines and preference sheets
- 24-hour service in select locations
It’s an immersive ramen experience emphasizing personal preference and concentration.
2. How to Order – Step by Step
2-1. Purchase a Meal Ticket
Upon entering, use the vending machine to select your ramen and any additional items.
Options typically include:
- Standard ramen
- Additional toppings like extra chashu (pork), egg, or seaweed
- Side dishes such as rice
- Beverages, including soft drinks and beer
Insert cash or use an IC card to complete the transaction and collect your ticket(s).
2-2. Find a Seat
A seating chart near the entrance displays available booths.
Note the number of an open seat and proceed accordingly.
2-3. Customize Your Ramen
At your booth, you’ll find a preference sheet to personalize your ramen. Options include:
- Flavor Strength: Weak, Medium, Strong
- Richness: Light, Medium, Rich
- Garlic: None, a little, regular, half clove, one clove
- Green Onion: Without, with
- Chashu (Pork): Without, with
- Original Spicy Red Sauce: Levels range from 0 (none) to 10 (very spicy)
- Noodle Texture: Extra soft, soft, medium, firm, extra firm
Fill out the sheet to your preference and press the call button to submit it along with your meal ticket.
2-4. Receive Your Ramen
A staff member will collect your selections and soon serve your customized ramen through the booth’s window.
The curtain is then lowered to allow you to dine without interruptions.
2-5. Ordering Additional Items
If you desire extra noodles (kaedama) or other items, use the order sheet provided at your booth.
Place it on the designated area and press the call button.
Payment for additional items is made at the booth, typically by placing cash on the tray.
3. Menu Highlights
3-1. Must-Try Items
- Classic Tonkotsu Ramen – Ichiran’s signature dish featuring a rich pork bone broth and thin noodles
- Half-Boiled Salted Egg – A flavorful addition that complements the ramen
- Kae-Dama (Extra Noodles) – Ideal for those who wish to enjoy more noodles with their remaining broth
3-2. Desserts and Beverages
Offerings may vary by location. Some branches provide unique items such as:
- Matcha Annin Tofu – A dessert combining almond tofu with matcha flavor
- Matcha Beer – A refreshing cocktail blending Japanese beer with matcha
Availability of these items is limited to specific locations, so it’s advisable to check locally.
4. Tips & Useful Phrases
- “Kaedama onegaishimasu” – Extra noodles, please
- “Okaikei onegaishimasu” – Check, please
- “Arigatou gozaimashita” – Thank you very much
Please note that Ichiran emphasizes a quiet dining environment to allow customers to fully concentrate on their ramen.
5. Final Thoughts
Ichiran offers a unique and personalized ramen dining experience, focusing on individual preferences and minimizing distractions.
Whether you’re a ramen enthusiast or a curious traveler, dining at Ichiran allows you to savor the nuances of tonkotsu ramen in a setting designed for flavor concentration.
Personally, I always end up choosing “rich” flavor with “extra garlic”—because when in Japan, why hold back?
You might also like:
🍔 Fast Food in Japan: 34 Must-Try Chains for Travelers
😲 How to Order at Ringer Hut – Savoring Nagasaki’s Champon in Japan
