Fūunji Shinjuku — Restaurant in Tokyo

Fuunji Tsukemen and Ramen – A Culinary Masterpiece

I had the absolute pleasure of dining at Fuunji Tsukemen and Ramen, and I must say, it was an extraordinary experience that left me yearning for more. This hidden gem is a must-visit for any ramen enthusiast or anyone looking to indulge in a bowl of pure culinary artistry.

Ambiance: The moment you step into Fuunji, you're greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly balances traditional Japanese aesthetics with a modern touch. The intimate setting, with its wooden decor and cozy seating, makes you feel like you've been transported straight to a ramen shop in Tokyo. The open kitchen allows you to watch the skilled chefs in action, adding to the anticipation of the feast ahead.

Service: The service at Fuunji is top-notch. The staff is incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. They take the time to explain the menu, the ingredients, and the preparation process, which enhances the overall dining experience. Despite the restaurant's popularity and often long lines, the staff maintains a calm and efficient demeanor, ensuring that each guest feels valued and well taken care of.

Food: Now, onto the star of the show – the food. Fuunji is renowned for its Tsukemen (dipping ramen), and it did not disappoint. The noodles are served separately from the broth, which is rich, thick, and bursting with umami flavors. The noodles, cooked to perfection, have a firm, chewy texture that holds up wonderfully when dipped into the luscious broth. Every bite is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that tantalize your taste buds.

The traditional ramen is equally impressive. The broth is a labor of love, simmered for hours to extract deep, complex flavors that are both comforting and invigorating. The chashu pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg with its slightly runny yolk is sheer perfection.

Variety: Fuunji offers a variety of options to cater to different preferences, from spicy variations to vegetarian choices. Each dish is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every bowl served is a masterpiece in its own right.

Value: Considering the quality and authenticity of the food, Fuunji offers excellent value for money. The portions are generous, and the experience is worth every penny.

Conclusion: Fuunji Tsukemen and Ramen is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience that celebrates the art of ramen making. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned ramen lover, Fuunji will leave a lasting impression on your palate. I highly recommend visiting this establishment if you ever find yourself craving an unforgettable bowl of ramen. It’s truly a five-star experience from...

What an amazing tsukemen spot in Tokyo that was honestly the best I've had in Japan. I walked here from my hotel, which took about 20 minutes and even though I thought I got here early, I still waited about 45 minutes from the time I lined up outside the restaurant until I was seated. Once you pass through the blue banner by the entrance, you still have to walk all the way to the back of the restaurant until you're officially about to sit down. You have to wait until the guests that are seated to leave before you're offered a seat, which also depends on how many people are in your party. So those of you with large parties, be prepared to be split up in groups of 2 or 3 to get seated quickly.

If you've made it this far into the restaurant and see the ordering machine to the right, make sure you put in your money into the machine first before choosing what type of ramen you want. If you try to order the food before entering your money, nothing will come out.

Now that you're seated, you'll have an amazing bowl of tsukemen waiting for you. But before they bring it in front of you, the chef will ask what portion size noodles you would like (regular/large). So for those of you with a big appetite after waiting possibly an hour or more in line, I would get the large portion since there's no added charge to it. A warning for those sensitive to salty food. The soup base is salty so be prepared for that because as good as the flavor is, it's probably not that healthy to be eating/drinking that much sodium in one sitting. Also, when I ordered, I wasn't aware that the dipping noodle already had pork on the side so when I ordered the special dipping noodle, it came with extra roast pork, which I couldn't finish. After my meal, I was extremely satisfied and really needed to walk off my meal because it felt like I ate 2 portions with the amount of pork that was given to me and the noodles. And once I exited the restaurant, the queue into the restaurant was longer than earlier so definitely arrive early to avoid waiting in...

Simply one of the best tsukemen you’ll ever have in your life. You have come right to the source. This place checks off all the fundamentals, starting from the springy texture of the noodles. I suspect even the noodle thickness is curated through years of trial for the best bite with each chew. The length of the noodles was also perfect for transferring from the plate to the bowl and retrieval was similarly easy for the feed. The dipping broth was thick in consistency which commensurates with the depth of flavour. It is a firework display of dancing umami on your palate.

This place is somewhat optimised for efficiency; the line starts as early as an hour before the opening of the shop. Once it’s open, hungry eaters are shuffled in and orders are taken on a vending machine prior to the feed. There are only a few items: tsukemen (800yen for regular, 1000yen for “special” which contains more meat and an added egg), ramen and add-on for your noodles. Eaters then move further in the shop in a single file, behind the counter seats and systematically replace the eaters who leave after finishing their business. Oh trust me, they will watch your every movement and a single misstep will earn you a verbal move correction. When it got to my turn, I had to hand over the tickets of my purchase and specify if I want “regular” or “large” which really, points to the serving size of noodles. The regular size is just right for a 70kg man’s empty stomach. The rest is history as described above. Despite the quick turnover, I didn’t feel any pressure to finish my food quickly.

Oh, as an added bonus, the main chef is a real martial artist when it comes to cooking his noodles. Look out for the timer he sets at the top shelf and be in for a treat when it rings!

PS if you’re thinking about heading to shin udon on the next street over this, think twice, then...