Expensive compared to other ramen shops but is very good. There is a long wait (even at midnight there was about a 20 minute wait) anytime during the day. Pretty loud at the times I went but may be inaccurate since there were drunk people waiting in line talking extremely loud.
Overview
Nestled in the heart of Tokyo's vibrant Shinbashi district, Ichiran Shimbashi offers an unforgettable experience for ramen lovers. Located at 2 Chome−5−6 2F, Minato City, this renowned spot is famous for its dedication to serving one of the best bowls of tonkotsu ramen in Japan. Whether you are a local or a visitor, stepping into Ichiran is like entering a world of rich flavors, comfort, and tradition.
At Ichiran, the focus is squarely on the ramen, which is meticulously crafted from the finest ingredients. The broth, a creamy tonkotsu base, is simmered for hours to extract maximum flavor. It's rich and velvety, offering a depth that is hard to beat. The noodles are perfectly chewy, offering the ideal texture that pairs beautifully with the savory broth. Each bowl is customized to the diner’s preferences, whether that’s the level of spiciness, garlic, or richness in the broth. This flexibility allows every guest to enjoy a personalized dining experience tailored just to their taste.
The minimalist interior design enhances the dining experience at Ichiran. The restaurant is known for its unique seating arrangement, where diners sit in individual booths, separated by partitions. This setup encourages a singular focus on the food, allowing each person to enjoy their meal in solitude or with minimal distractions. The booths come equipped with an order sheet, which makes selecting your ramen preferences a breeze. From the amount of spice to the richness of the broth, you can fine-tune every detail.
Ichiran’s menu is straightforward yet offers a variety of options for those looking to dive deeper into the world of ramen. While the signature tonkotsu ramen is the highlight, the restaurant also serves side dishes like the classic gyoza, which complements the ramen perfectly. The quality of each dish is consistent, and everything on the menu is crafted with the same attention to detail that makes the ramen so extraordinary.
One of the aspects that sets Ichiran Shimbashi apart from other ramen spots is the focus on creating a unique and personalized experience. Guests have the option to customize their ramen in a way that suits their exact taste, which makes it stand out from the traditional ramen joints. Additionally, the service is prompt and efficient, ensuring that you’re never left waiting for long to enjoy your meal.
If you’re in Tokyo and craving a bowl of authentic, high-quality ramen, Ichiran Shimbashi should be at the top of your list. It’s a place where every detail, from the flavor of the broth to the ambiance, is designed to provide a memorable dining experience. The combination of premium ingredients, dedication to quality, and an inviting atmosphere makes it a must-visit spot in the city.
Reviews from both locals and tourists consistently praise Ichiran for its delicious ramen and unique dining experience. Visitors often mention how the food keeps them coming back for more, highlighting the perfect balance of flavors that make the ramen irresistible. The service also gets a positive mention, with many describing the staff as friendly and attentive.
Ichiran’s ability to offer a personalized ramen experience has earned it a loyal following, making it one of the most sought-after ramen shops in Tokyo. Whether you’re a ramen enthusiast or a newcomer to Japanese cuisine, this restaurant offers an experience that is both delightful and authentic, making every visit feel like a special occasion.
Good to know
Service options
✓ On-site services ✓ Dine-in ✓ Delivery ✓ TakeawayPopular for
✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Assistive hearing loop ✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Late-night food ✓ Quick bite ✓ Small platesDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Counter service ✓ SeatingAmenities
✓ Smoke-free place ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ QuietCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly ✓ Tourists ✓ University studentsPlanning
✓ Usually a wait ✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ au PAY ✓ Credit cards ✓ dBarai ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ PayPay ✓ Rakuten Pay ✓ Transit IC cards ✓ V-Money ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ ParkingPhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 3662 reviews
This is the famous Ichiran ramen. We came here back in May. They have this individual counter seating which is individually partitioned giving some privacy. The ramen is excellent where you can choose the richness of the broth. Excellent and flavourful ramen! But do come early as the queue can wind all the way to the street. It is that popular
Quite a wait to eat Ramen, but it did not disappoint. The wait started outside going down the street. Then wraps inside and up the stairs. They have 32 individual stalls to eat at. You purchase your food and drink from a machine and fill out a preference card. You get assigned a stall and they serve you through a window. You eat, drink and leave. Amazing broth, delicious meat, tender Ramen and a perfect egg. Just delicious.
Unique experience to eat authentic Ramen, the traditional way, hand made noodles cooked in yummy broth with a runny yolked hard boiled egg, pork and spring onions. It’s what Ichiran is known for, there are add ons but Ramen is the only dish you'll be having and it’s the best! An old fashioned booth style seating arrangement, which was great coz i mad such a mess eating my soupy noodles. You have to place your order on a machine which gives you a ticket, then you're summoned to your seats as people vacate. Then you fill out options on a paper indicating levels of spice or any other add ons you wish to have. Within minutes your bowl of ramen and add ons appear and after a few bows by your server, they close the flap to the half open kitchen and you have complete privacy to slurp away. Must try!!
As most Ichiran's, a very efficient and easy system to order with English language option on the ticket vending machine. A quiet atmosphere with around 15-30min wait during busy periods. Once you're seated, the service is quick but fresh.
We attended on a Sunday afternoon around 4pm. We previously tried to join the queue around 8pm on a Saturday and the wait time was an hour and a half. They have a new system where you speak to staff to join a virtual queue. They’ll tell you how long the wait is, letting you make a choice whether to wait or go somewhere else. Once you join the queue, the website it takes you to will display the previously discussed wait time. When it’s your turn to enter, it’ll alert you. From there, it’s the standard ordering process. Once at your seat, there are baskets available to place your belongings in by the wall behind your dining seat. If you’re worried about the safety of your bags, you can always have them on your lap while you dine, but I had no issues. The Ramen was lovely as always. A rich broth with plenty of customisation available to make a bowl to your liking. Including extra servings of rice, noodles and unlimited ice cold water. Cheap and cheerful. This is my second time dining here and it was amazing both times. So overall I’d recommend eating here.
Ichiran was our first meal in Japan and I thought it delivered on the hype! I’ve seen mixed reviews of people online saying you can get better ramen elsewhere, which may be the case but I thought this was still really high quality ramen for a great price. $20 for 2 bowls with extra fixings for each is a price you’d probably never find in the US, and like I said the quality is superior. A rich, umami broth, perfectly cooked noodles and delicious pork and green onions. You can also personalize it how ever you want, I opted for extra pork and onions since I was hungry. We arrived around 6 PM and were the first two in line to an already full spot. We got seated within minutes, and our food was quick to follow. They are a well oiled machine at this place and we were in and out in about 30 minutes total. Once we left the line was out the door all the way down the stairs so I would recommend getting there between 5-6 PM to try and beat the main dinner rush. I highly recommend Ichiran when visiting Japan!
Authentic and outstanding ramen As a chef, I can say this is a true Japanese ramen experience. Deep, creamy broth full of umami, perfectly cooked noodles, and tender, flavorful pork. The atmosphere is small, intimate, and very traditional. A must-visit spot for any ramen lover.