Hello, fellow travel lovers!
I visited the legendary Ramen Ichiran!
I’ve heard rumors that some Tokyo locations of Ichiran have a wait time of up to 200 minutes, but at the Sagamihara branch on this day, I walked right in without waiting. Total victory!
Ichiran is instantly recognizable by its bold red and green signage. You can spot it from a distance and immediately think, “Oh, there’s Ichiran!” And yet… I somehow walked right past it and had to rush back, laughing at myself.
As soon as you step inside, the ticket machine grabs your attention! First, you select your preferred language, then you move on—but wait, “Which one do I choose?” It’s a bit confusing at first. However, once you get used to the layout, it’s surprisingly simple. I quickly spotted the basic ramen option and made my selection. A final touch payment, and the process was complete—smooth and efficient!
Solo Dining Booths
This is the famous "Solo Dining Booth" everyone talks about. It’s amazing—partitioned on both sides to create a completely private space, leaving just you and your ramen in perfect harmony.
Order Sheet
Here comes the fun part—the order sheet! You can customize your ramen just the way you like it, from the richness of the broth to the firmness of the noodles and even the spiciness level. It’s both exciting and a little overwhelming to decide. Thankfully, there are options in both Japanese and English, making it easy for everyone to create their perfect bowl.
Request Card
At the edge of the booth, you’ll find something called a "Request Card."
Place this card next to the call button and press it, and the bamboo curtain in front of you smoothly rises, allowing a staff member to assist you.
It’s truly a silent operation! You almost feel like you’re on a special mission—“Mission: Extra Noodles!”—and it secretly boosts your excitement. Once the mission is complete, the curtain swiftly returns to its original position, keeping the mystery alive!
When you flip the card, it switches to the English version. A warm welcome for inbound guests—“Welcome to Ichiran!”
Tonkotsu Ramen
And finally, the star of the show makes its grand entrance—Ichiran’s Tonkotsu Ramen!
The noodles are thin and firm, topped with Ichiran’s signature red secret sauce floating right in the center! With the "15-second rule" in mind, I kept my photo session brief and quickly dove into this delicious bowl.
But whatever you do, don’t scoop up the red sauce and eat it straight away… trust me, you’ll end up coughing (been there, done that). The trick is to gently mix it into the broth little by little for the perfect balance of flavor.
Ramen Trivia Board
Above the booth, there’s a "Ramen Trivia Board" filled with tips on how to best enjoy your ramen. It covers everything from the origins of ramen to the creation of the broth, and even includes the infamous "15-second rule"! The more you read, the deeper it gets. It’s just ramen, yet it somehow feels like a mental workout. Still, gaining a bit of ramen knowledge while eating is part of the unique Ichiran experience.
Cup Noodle Souvenir Corner
Finally, near the exit, the "Cup Noodle Souvenir Corner" catches your eye! How amazing is it that you can enjoy the taste of Ichiran at home? These make the perfect gift for friends and family—guaranteed to bring smiles all around!
Summary
Ichiran ramen without the wait—what a treat! With its solo dining booths and customizable order sheets, this was more than just a meal; it was an immersive gourmet experience. I highly recommend everyone give it a try—just be careful not to cough on that red secret sauce (trust me, it’s a thing)! Enjoy your journey through Ichiran!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
