Portland’s Hidden Gem! Japanese Ramen Spot ikimono Ramen

Anime BGM + Spicy Miso Ramen, Nostalgia in Every Bite 🍜 I was originally heading to downtown Portland for the famous Wailua Shave Ice, but stumbled upon this “little Japanese nook” on the corner—ikimono Ramen. Its storefront isn’t flashy, but the wooden lanterns by the door and anime posters on the glass pulled me in. I thought, “I haven’t had lunch yet, why not check it out?” The second I pushed the door open, I was instantly transported back to my childhood anime days—happiness level 100! 🎵 Nostalgia Hit Hard! Anime BGM on Loop, “Butterfly” Took Me Back to My Teens As soon as I walked in, a familiar tune filled my ears—it was Butterfly from Digimon! I froze for a second, getting chills all over 😭. The shop also played classic OSTs from Naruto and One Piece, paired with wooden tables, hand-drawn anime stickers on the walls, and a vintage game console model in the corner. It felt like “stepping into an anime-themed ramen shop on a Japanese street.” I grabbed a window seat, hummed along to the BGM while flipping through the menu, and even waiting for food felt like a joy. 🌶️ Spicy Miso Ramen Review: Too Big Even for a Big Eater! Rich Broth, Perfect Spice After debating, I ordered the signature Spicy Miso Ramen. I thought “small shop = small portions,” but when it arrived, I was shocked—a thick ceramic bowl piled high with curly noodles, fatty-chunky chashu, a soft-boiled egg, crisp bamboo shoots, and nori. The broth was almost spilling over! I’m usually a big eater, but I still left half the bowl unfinished—portions are so generous 🍚. The broth was the star! It had a rich miso aroma mixed with subtle tonkotsu sweetness—you could tell it was a “slow-simmered stock,” no artificial saltiness. The spiciness was perfect for me: at other shops, even “extra spicy” feels mild, but this one had a “fresh heat that doesn’t burn your stomach”—it spread slowly from my tongue to my throat, making me want more. I ended up lifting the bowl to finish most of the broth, even wiping the soup off my lips! The toppings were great too: chashu was tender with juicy meat; the soft-boiled egg oozed runny yolk that mixed with the broth (heaven!); bamboo shoots were crisp to cut greasiness; nori soaked up the soup for a salty kick. No “filler” toppings here—every bite mattered! ✨ Cozy Vibe Alert! 5:30 PM Is the Sweet Spot, Weekends Get Busy I got there around 5:30 PM, and the shop was pretty empty—I got to slurp noodles and listen to music in peace. But by the time I was halfway through my bowl, the place filled up! The small space had couples chatting softly, students talking about anime over ramen, and the server (waitress) had a gentle smile, never flustered as she refilled tea and cleared plates. She laughed and said, “We’re super busy on weekends—lunch and dinner usually have 20-minute waits. You picked the perfect time!” Before leaving, I noticed a “message wall” covered in notes: someone wrote “cried when I heard Butterfly,” someone drew a cartoon ramen, and someone recommended “try the miso chashu ramen next time.” The messy, warm notes felt like “food secrets from strangers”—it made the shop even more lovable. 📍 Save This Spot! Don’t Miss It in Portland Name: ikimono Ramen Address: 1025 SW Harvey Milk St, Unit R, Portland, OR 97205 When you’re in Portland, don’t just chase viral spots! This hidden ramen shop has anime nostalgia, flavorful spicy miso ramen, and cozy, homey vibes—slurp a bowl, listen to a childhood BGM, and that little happiness is the most unforgettable part of a trip～ #PortlandEats #PortlandRamen #JapaneseRamen #AnimeNostalgia #StudentFoodDiary #HiddenGemRestaurant