Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo Kanda Honten — Restaurant in Tokyo

Wow. What an experience. Firstly, this place is popular because it went viral. They say they have the spiciest ramen in all of Japan and I’d believe it. It has been featured by many YouTubers such as Mark Wiens. The line often stretches around the corner and across the street, as shown in my picture so be prepared to wait depending on the time. Prices aren’t bad at all, starting at around ¥1,100, but I got some big pork and an Ajitsuke Tamago (seasoned egg) for around ¥1,600. First I came for lunch and I arrived roughly around 11am, and the line went across the street. I ordered the first ‘white bowl’ in the pictures which is medium spice level for both types. They offer two different spices, a red Chinese Sichuan pepper for heat and a Sancho pepper to numb the mouth. You can choose the level of spice from none, little, medium, lots, and finally Oni (devil) level for both types of spice, allowing you to fit your spice tolerance and maybe try a new limit. Oni level spice costs ¥200 for each spice so ¥400 total for both at Oni level. After trying the white bowl (medium spice) I found it so good that I had to come back for dinner the same day and try a spicier level, because it was very delicious but my spice tolerance handled it too well and didn’t break a sweat. After returning at 8pm the same day, you can see in the pictures how it is even at night, the line is long and goes around the corner across the street. Trust me when I say it is worth it. This time I was daring enough to try the Oni (devil) level spice for both the Sichuan and Sancho peppers. The second picture with the ominous ‘black bowl’ is what the Oni level spice looks like, they only give the black bowl for people daring enough to try the maximum spice level. This by far was the spiciest ramen I have ever had in my life. I was sweating and it burned my mouth until I could barely feel it but it was delicious and I loved it. Managed to persevere and finish the whole thing and at the end you get to enjoy a small little devil candy as shown in the last picture.

This is how I describe the ramen. The broth is delicious, and I encourage you to get as spicy as you can tolerate. Strong flavour of miso and umami, well seasoned. Medium is good for the average western traveler, I found it easy to handle as an experienced spice eater. If you really dare, try something higher but be warned: it’s no joke, the Oni level really is the spiciest I’ve ever had. The big pork belly is marinated with a sweet flavour and is cooked to perfection. It is soft and tender. The veggies on top are cooked in a wok with flames so they have a lovely smoky flavour to them and the baby corn is charred and delicious. Noodles are of the highest quality and the Ajitama (egg) is also some of the best I’ve had at a ramen shop with a strong Shoyu tare marinade. Packed with flavour. It’s not just the spiciest ramen in Japan, it’s also one of the best. Even if you don’t like spice, you can get it without spice just to try the base broth and it is still good. Highly recommend you to try this amazing place.

The decor and vibe is very cool, you get an open view of the kitchen and get to watch the flames. They play traditional Japanese battle drum music to feel like you are in a duel with your bowl of ramen. The decoration befits a place with devils on the front of their store. Very nice. Definitely one of my favourite...

Low barrier of entry compared to others of this quality and experience. Good for people with a group, the majority of other top ramen spots it is very very difficult to go with more even 2 people and expect to seat together. Also, the custom to eat very quickly (20-30 mins depending on restaurant) is not felt here. I think for all of these reasons - this is a top tourist place to eat a top ramen. Probably the best of your life if you are not a ramen aficionado that has been to dozens of top places in Japan.

With that said. There is still a barrier to entry.

Time: Expect to wait at least 25-30 minutes - even in the off-season and near opening time. In normal season and after first 1hr of opening - expect to wait 45+ minutes at the bare minimum. Likely 1.5 hours.

Process: Simple standard - go to machine in the right side of entrance as pictured. Order on screen and pay (cash), take ticket and get in line. When you get close-ish to getting in, a worker will take your ticket. You line up to the left of the entrance.

Ramen: the aforementioned quality is for people that enjoy spicy food and spicy ramen. We had 3 ramens of varying spice level. I went medium / medium on chili and sansho pepper, and loved it. For reference, I am comfortable up to a 4 out of 5 spicy level within countries traditional Thai, Indian, or Hispanic spiciness. I would rank this medium medium at a 3/5 in that scale and by western standards a 4.5/5 that builds. My friend with my had level level 1 and 0 and he built to a sweat.

Taste: Broth/Spice - medium/medium spicy flavor was by far the best of the 3 to me. The lower levels lacked some robust flavor profiles that comes with other top ramens that aren’t centered around spice. Hence, the rating and recommendation to wait for this if you particularly enjoy the spicy heat. Otherwise, you may find it only slightly above average.

Noodles - Quite good. Great mouthfeel, bite and chewiness to them. Hold flavor well. No complaints.

Egg - average

Chashu - above average to me, not enough variety of lean building to fat for my personally liking at this level of ramen. The pieces are all in the very fatty end of the spectrum, which was a bit much and lacking variety and left me feeling overly bogged down.

Baby corn was a neat addition and added to presentation, I personally enjoyed this non-traditional twist.

Summary: Overall great, highly recommend for spicy lovers and will be back as one of those myself. If you see a sub 15 person line (30-40 mins prob) absolutely should grab a ticket and hop in line. If you aren’t a spicy lover, or are on your first trip and are here for only a couple weeks.. I would personally get more out of eating at one of the numerous ramen shops that don’t focus on a spicier...

🫶👹This place will have you yearning for this ramen for all eternity!👹🫶

I stumbled upon this ramen restaurant while going for a stroll the second day I arrived in Japan. Little did I know this would set the tone for the rest of my 3 month trip.

The vibe is ceremonial with tribal drumming, kanabō weapons and fanged and horned creatures all around you. I’ve made it up in my mind that this theme represents a curse you’ll get when:

1. you’ll never have ramen this good again and every bowl of ramen you have thereafter will never live up to THIS bowl of ramen.
2. you’ll continue to crave it but won’t have access to it.

Needless to say I found it before the New Year’s holiday closure and it was hell waiting until it reopened so I could get back in there. Like a complete and utter babbling loser an American heard me talking about Kikanbo and he chimes in saying he’s been thinking about it since his trip 4 years ago and it was the very first place he went to off the plane haha! I’m not kidding when I say this stuff is next level.

I took a picture of the machine so you can peruse it at your own leisure vs the real life pressure of a growing lineup behind you making you nervous and sweaty. (You’re welcome).

On a serious note I’d say the medium spice level will satisfy most westerners (it’s slightly above the happy threshold). You can go all out and challenge yourself with this unimaginable level they offer up here too. The dare devils I witnessed going for it managed to eat the whole bowl. Uncomfortably but did it nonetheless. You don’t win anything to the best of my knowledge.

My best tips are to look up the opening hours and ensure you’re there 30-40 minutes before it even opens. The machine will likely have been put back out front at that time and you’ll be able to get your order in the queue. Next, if choosing between a ‘little bit of pork’ or ‘maybe some more pork’, ALWAYS go with more. Be warned that every bowl of ramen you eat after this will taste like slop...