Japan Day 3: Tokyo - Ichiran Ramen

After Meiji Shrine I head out to grab a bowl of the famous Ichiran Ramen. I went to the branch near Shibuya station. They have several branches across Tokyo and other cities in Japan. 

How to get to Shibuya Ichiran Ramen

If you're heading to the Shibuya branch and don't have access to google maps, here are your landmarks. It's quite easy to miss as they are located in the basement, especially if you are not familiar with the Ichiran Ramen logo. 

Look for Karaoke sign, right below you'll see the red Ichiran Signage

Another good landmark, Ichiran is across this building

Head below

Queue up

Ordering Ramen for first timers

I was lucky I only waited in line around 10 minutes that day. I came around 1:30 PM. Lines are usually longer and can take you around 30 minutes to get seated. 

Once inside, order via the vending machine. This type of ordering is found almost in all ramen shops I've tried in Japan. Don't panic it's easy:

1. Choose a Ramen size, either 790yen or 910yen. No difference in flavor.

2. Choose any extras you want, like meat, tamago(egg), noodles, onions, etc. Note that it already comes with meat and onions. Don't worry too much about extras at this point, you still have the chance to order later.

3. Take out the coupon from the machine, you will give this to the server. In turn she will give you a slip of paper for you to fill-out. 

Ramen Ordering Vendo

4. Fill out order sheet based on your preference. You can see what I chose below. Some options you have to pay extra. 

5. Wait to be seated. Most staff speak English so don't worry. You will be seated separately in cubicle like compartments. The idea is for you to savor the flavors of the broth, away from any distractions of you cam-whoring and foodstagramming friends. 

Choose your ramen style

Shows the occupied seats maybe?

My seat with personal cold water tap

6. Slurp away and enjoy. Savor the broth, appreciate the bite of the noodles, dig into the meat pieces and just relish the porky goodness of the soup. I like how they cooked the noodles just extra firm. In Manila, Ippudo and Ramen Nagi can't seem to get the texture right. 

Savory broth

I ordered Ice Tea expecting it would have some sweet taste to it. Silly me, haha. Japanese iced tea is different from the iced tea we have in the Philippines. They are not sugar monsters like we are, and prefer the taste of just tea itself. 

So to end the meal, I bought this huge ass coke in can from the ubiquitous vendo machines found almost in every street of Japan.  

Extra orders and options

A better version for me was to get red sauce at level 5, and green onions instead of white. Bowl below was in their Kyoto branch. The marriage of the spice with the rich broth then a hint of onion flavor was just lovely! 

Oishi!!!

So good that I ordered myself another serving of noodles. Save your soup though, they don't offer soup refills. For other refill options you may see on the list. 

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