Ippudo 一風堂

Update: Ippudo now has branches in Singapore, Seoul, and Hong Kong. Check website for details.

I was once read on another ramen blog that Ippudo it a must try in Tokyo for those ramen lovers, and it was also recommended by a friend. So after several trips to Tokyo, I finally made my way to Ebisu for my first experience of Ippudo ramen.

It shouldn't be surprising by now that Ippudo is also Hakata ramen based, and has a huge following as well. You can see from their website that this is easily one of the more popular chains in not only Tokyo, but Japan. It is nicely designed, and gives a nice overview of what is offered and the various locations in Japan. I was fortunate enough to try all three of the ramen offerings, and their excellent gyoza. Let's get to the review.

My first bowl of Ippudo ramen was the Shiromaru ramen (白), which is their classic, more basic ramen. I chose this one over the others because I always try the classic first. With the order of ramen, you get a box with negi and seaweed, so you can add to your ramen as you like. The soup was very refreshing, not heavy or oily at all. The noodles, very classes hakata style, thin noodles, cooked a bit harder than usual. You can ask for it to be cooked softer, if you wish. The chashu was very nice, thick, very tender, and good enough to match the soup. The hanjyuku tamago was excellent, a must try if you love egg with your ramen.

The second bowl of Ippudo ramen was at the Ginza location, where I took my friends from Hong Kong.

I had spoken to my friend after my first visit to Ippudo, and she suggested that I try to Akamaru ramen (紅). Well, I can say without hesitation which one is better. The Akamaru soup really stands out, and perhaps it is because it is more rich, a bit more oily, and the blend together really makes a difference. The noodles and toppings are nearly the same, so I won't go through that in detail. But as for the soup, it really depends on your preference. I can take both, and depending on mood, I would prefer one over the other. But I can see some people who would prefer Shiromaru since it is lighter and perhaps a bit healthier.

Their third version is a spicy version, Karaka men, which consist a miso base as well. My friend ordered this and I was also able to taste the soup. Very flavorful indeed, and gives another dimension to Ippudo's offering. The different with Karaka men is, you get a side dish with the tamago and chashu, which you would make a onigiri. I wasn't able to try it, but my friend said it was very good.

One last note. There also offer another ramen with chawanmushi, which was quite unique. I didn't get the details, and didn't see many people order it, but I am sure it's pretty decent as well. Like most ramen shops, Ippudo also has gyoza, and a few rice options in case the ramen or even kaedama is not enough.

The following for Ippudo is so big that they have opened a branch in New York, and they've advertised it all of their shops and on their website. So those of you who can't make it to Tokyo and New York is a much closer location to visit, you are in luck. But whether you are in Japan or New York, Ippudo ramen is well worth taking the time out for a visit.

Location: Various locations in Japan (also in New York, Singapore, Seoul, and Hong Kong)

Hours: Varies by location

Website: http://www.ippudo.com/index.html

Order system: Menu

Available in English? Yes

Ichiran 一蘭

The second one to be featured on ramen-otaku has slowly inched towards the #1 spot, but just not there yet. #2 on my list is Ichiran, and not surprisingly, this is also Fukuoka-based Hakata ramen. My first Ichiran ramen experience was at the Roppoingi shop (thanks Yamamoto-san), and surprisingly, my first impression was above average at best. I'll explain why.

What makes Ichiran unique perhaps isn't because it's fancy. At Ichiran, simplicity wins. It is truly a no-frills, order, eat, and leave ramen shop. You can almost say it is fast food ramen, but by no means is this fast food quality. Where Jangara offers choices of soup flavor and toppings, Ichiran offer option to customize you bowl of ramen to your liking. There is only one soup base, the bowl of noodles includes chashu, menma (bamboo), negi, and their secret sauce. That's the menu, no more, no less. Once you pick what you want from the machine and pay, here is where the magic begins.

There is usually a line at Ichiran, which to their credit, it's because it's damn good. While waiting, there is a board which lights up if a seat becomes empty, and at which time, you can proceed and sit down in your booth. When I said no-frills, I mean no-frills. You sit down, give them your ticket, the bowl of ramen comes, you eat, and you go. There is very little interaction with the servers. But when you do sit down, you get a sheet of paper, which you can choose how oily you want your soup, how flavorful you want your soup, how spicy, how much negi, whether you want chashu or not, and the hardness of your noodles. I have tried the different options, and it does make a difference.

While I was not blown away after the first time, it has really grown on me. The soup is simple, but so, oh so good, and words would not do it justice. The chashu is not the best, but definitely more than adequate. The noodles are absolutely wonderful, and the hanjyuku tamago (soft-boiled egg) is to die for. I almost get kaedama (second order of noodles) every time I go there. And being in convenient locations at Shibuya and Roppongi, and open 24 hours a day (YES, you just can't beat that), nothing hits the spot like a bowl of Ichiran ramen after a late night of drinking.

Okay, writing these reviews is perhaps as hard on me as it is on you, as I am not in Tokyo right now, and what I would do for a bowl of Ichiran right now. If you are in Tokyo, and craving an amazing bowl of noodles, you cannot go wrong with Ichiran.

Locations: Numerous throughout Japan
Hours: Most are 24 hours
Website: http://www.ichiran.co.jp/
Ordering system: Machine
Availale in English? Yes (ask for English once you sit down)