Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Mai — Restaurant in Tokyo

Review of Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Mai

Located in the Aqua City shopping mall in Odaiba, Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Mai is an excellent choice for ramen lovers. This place houses six different restaurants, each specializing in a unique variety of ramen, offering a fascinating experience for those who enjoy this Japanese dish. The opportunity to try different styles of preparation in one location is certainly one of its main attractions.

During our visit, we decided to try the Shinsen ramen from the Kanazawa Noukoh Tonkotsu restaurant. The choice was a good one, as both the flavor and portion were very satisfying, with a rich broth and a nice balance of ingredients. The gyozas, on the other hand, were nothing special; they were quite ordinary and didn’t stand out compared to the ramen.

The ordering process is a bit unusual. After choosing the restaurant and the ramen you want to try, you go to an ordering machine where you make your selection and pay autonomously. Then, you simply give the ticket to the waiter, who will bring your order to the table.

However, one downside is that if you go with a partner or group, you must choose a single restaurant, as they don’t allow mixing dishes from different establishments. Additionally, you are not allowed to bring in food from other restaurants, which could feel limiting if someone in your group prefers...

I came to this place because there are different types of ramen from different Japanese regions. I ended up choosing the Tokyo Tonkotsu ramen stall because the other restaurants seem to be specialised in thick and salty ramen. The majority of customers are Japanese so it reassured me. You need to pay with cash at the machine and get the tickets. A cook will come to collect the ticket copy and you keep the other copy.

The ramen portion is very generous, especially the extra toppings. However the broth is still salty to my taste as a foreigner and the egg was over cooked and not marinated like the typical ramen egg. On the machine it didn’t specify that the drinks are cold by default. So I was surprised when I saw the staff brought a cold oolong tea. Staff is friendly and very polite. They do their job so I don’t have any complain. Overall, this place...

I always go here for some good ramen! Just in case you don't know, this place is kind of a ramen museum. They serve different ramen dishes from different parts of Japan. My personal favorite would be the 'F' stall. Everything there is from the Hokkaido region and their ramen and gyoza are the best.

If you're unsure what to order, do what I did and I stuck with their best seller. You'll know which one it is because it has a "no.1" on the button to press at the vending machine.

Yes, you do have to place your orders here in a vending machine. Insert cash amount (this place is cash only), select your order and grab the ticket after. Give the ticket to server and wait to be seated.

I always bring 1st timers here as well because they love the whole experience and the food is great!

Would...