Ichiran — Restaurant in New York

Last night ate at Ippudo NY... to my great disappointment... Nothing like the Ippudo's in Japan I'd been to, which became my fav Japanese ramen chain while traveling in Japan.

I started googling for high rated ramen shops in the area - to my delight Ichiran came up - I actually vaguely recalled a Youtube review (Strictly Dumpling) of Ippudo vs Ichiran... never actually went to an Ichiran in Japan tho!

My hotel is 5 blocks away so I walked & almost walked past it lol. I was confused looking at the store front bec it's quite loud in contrasting colors (bright red & green) & patterns (Japanese letters) - not typically what you'd see in Japan & the interior is in the same way like a big bright flag waving around lol.

I arrived after 1pm so there was a short line, waited about 5mins or so. I was given a small sheet of paper, directed down a hallway & told booth #2. I took my jacket off & hung it behind my booth on the coat hook. The tissues box hanging next to the coat hooks were super convenient - my nose always tends to run eating a good hot soup & being chilly out.

The booths are tiny & the stools are quite hard (metal), I'm only 5'5" & too tall to eat comfortably on the stool in the booth (definitely hunched over).

They asked if 1st time & I said yes, they said to fill out the paper provided & press the call button when ready. I picked the Classic Tonkotsu Ramen $19 with all the recommended "settings" circled + a Soft Boiled Egg $3. The server read back my order & provided my "payment" square to take to the register when I was done. In prep of my meal went to the restroom to wash my hands - the 12 toilet paper rolls really threw me off... I guess it was supposed to be like art work next to the toilet ? Lol, last pic posted...

I saw some1 else get up and get water from the somewhat hidden black water dispenser so followed suit & selected hot water.

My egg came out early so I followed the cute instructions & prepared it for my soup.

And then the soup came out, in this black majestic box. I tried the broth by itself & it was stunning - rich & warm without being too salty - out of this world. I then mixed everything together, split my egg & added it to warm up. I happily ate up the noodles, meat & egg. I had to restrain myself from taking down all the broth too but I ordered a Kae-dama (noodle refill) $4 - I wanted something actually just slightly more firm so betw the regular & firm but they said they couldn't do that so gave me firm - & also ordered the Matcha Draft Beer $9.

My solo neighbor in booth #1 left & they cleaned out his booth & started to do the same for mine, which was strange & alarming. The server/cleaner finally asked if I was done with my broth & I said no I was waiting for more food (you'd think they would have some sort of system so they'd know that back there !?) so he confusingly put the #1 Payment square on top of my #2 Payment square (you can see it in 1 of my pics) - at this point I wasn't sure if that was to cover my updated order or for booth #1... well luckily several mins later the neighbor came back looking for his #1 Payment square which I handed to him & he apologized. I told him no worries. (It was not his mistake that the server was incorrectly assuming I was paying for another patron... that would've been on the server & register folks if they were letting people out without paying).

The firm noodles, as expected, were a bit too firm for my liking so I let them soak up the broth & heat for a bit which made them better. Honestly, I was not impressed by the Matcha Draft Beer, at 1st it was a super light green tea flavor which became heavier/a bit more bitter as you drank it = not my cup of tea 😉. I should've gone the safe bet with an Asahi (my fav Japanese beer) or a cup of sake.

Yes it's expensive for ramen but you're in NYC & pricing was comparable to Ippudo NY (at Ichiran tip is already included in the pricing + it's MUCH better quality & flavors).

All in all highly highly recommend this place for any1 that enjoys ramen... or soup! I will def...

Place: It's small in the counter but pretty spacious in the dining hallway. It's also neat and gives you privacy, go here and you'll know what I mean.

Service: The service was so nice and straightforward. It was packed since it's already lunch when we went so people already in line. We waited for 30mins and get a sit and served immediately.

Long time no see/taste to one of my favorite ramen! It was so nice to sit and eat again in Ichiran. This restaurant in NYC reminds me so much of Ichiran in Tokyo and Naha. There's some differences at some point like the bowl, chasu, the servings and the side dishes.

Yet, am so glad cos the staff were most Japanese, the way how they serve was so similar in Japan so you will get the Japan vibes.

So glad to taste it again!

Updated Review January 2025:

I remember the last time I visited Ichiran, and things have definitely changed since then. I walked in, ready for my usual ramen fix, but as soon as I sat down, I noticed something different - the BOWL. Gone was the familiar squared bowl I remembered, replaced by the classic round bowl you’d find in their original Japan locations. It was a small detail, but it instantly made the experience feel more authentic and connected to the heart of Ichiran.

The next change hit me when I went to place my order. The ordering machine is now right at the counter, but through a tablet, but it felt more seamless, almost like they’ve fine-tuned it to match the efficiency and flow. It was clear to me that Ichiran is striving for consistency across all their locations, making sure the experience is as close to what you'd get in Japan as possible.

And then the food quantity is much better than the last time I visited as well. It is more complete than last time.

But what hasn't changed? The customer service. It’s always been excellent here. The staff is friendly, quick, and attentive – just like you’d expect from a place that takes their ramen so seriously. There's something comforting about knowing that, no matter where you are, Ichiran will always deliver that same level of care.

Ichiran’s reputation as a beloved ramen chain in Japan definitely stands true. They’ve built a following because they don’t disappoint. Their tonkotsu ramen is still rich, savory, and comforting, with that signature depth of flavor that instantly transports you to the streets of Japan. Whether you’re having a quiet solo meal or enjoying a bowl with friends, Ichiran's setup is designed to make you feel at home. The private booths give you space to enjoy your ramen undisturbed, but you don’t feel isolated – it’s all part of the experience, designed for anyone from solo diners to groups.

I walked out of Ichiran once again feeling satisfied and happy I made the visit. It’s a place that always sets the bar for what good ramen should be. The changes are for the better, and while I’ll always love a good bowl of Ichiran wherever I am, there’s something special about the little details that bring it closer to the real deal in Japan. Every time I’m here, it feels like a reminder of why Ichiran holds such a special place in the...

PSA: This is a very unique experience in the US that most won't be familiar with so read on to learn more about it. Food: I got the classic Tonkatsu ramen on medium saltiness, medium spice (2/10), medium noodle cooked level, with green onions, and an egg on the side. They allow you to customize up to 7 different elements of the soup itself, which is already unique in itself and is a testament of its freshness. The noodles were cooked perfectly, they had a nice bounce to them, and the perfect texture. The broth was very clear, smooth, and had a deep savory taste to it that was complimented by a lifting aroma from simmering/being cooked in pork bones. The texture of the broth was not gritty or watery as some places but cooked just right. The broth also appeared very clear and didn't have any impurities as you'd normally see in most chain Ramen restaurants from being overly cooked or overly seasoned. It had a really good balance of seasonings and a surprisingly light body unlike most Tonkatsu's I've had. It's said that only 4 people know the actual recipe for creating the unique flavor of this broth. I would highly recommend trying this out if you're in the area! Service: We were greeted the moment we walked in and asked to customize how we liked our ramen. The waiter was very helpful and polite with the questions I had. The server was also very quick and our order arrived within 2 min of sitting! One additional thing to note, this is a NO TIPPING establishment so that's a huge plus in my books due to the absurd level the food industry has taken it too. Atmosphere: This is where the uniqueness comes into play. Each person is assigned a solo dining booth (if you come in a party, they still put you together), where they are able to focus and enjoy their meal without distractions. When the little food curtain closes, it's just you + ramen, nothing else. Great way to limit distractions and enjoy/appreciate a very tasty bowl of ramen. This was a new experience for me so it took some getting used to but I enjoyed it. Overall, I would 100% come back again. I just wish they would expand and introduce additional meats and broths such as beef or chicken. This would add variety and a bigger incentive to come; otherwise, the ramen...