Hungry for ramen, so we decided to go to ichiran midtown location. They have several locations, times square, Brooklyn etc. The Brooklyn one has a regular dining table as well instead just the individual slot. Got there around 5:30pm ish, there's a good amount of ppl lining up outside. We waited for a good 30-40min until we actually seated. Once you get in,you ordered via tablet. The guy will handed you all the your order per person per item. Your order can be customized to your preferences of noddle, broth, saltiness, spiciness, extra meat or egg, extra noddle, drinks and desserts. You can also order the package noddle to go. Everything must be paid on the tablet as you are done with your orders Wait until they tell you where to seat as the slots turned green. Once you were seated, make sure you put all your orders on the table. The bamboo screen will slightly lifted, and the person on the other side will take the orders and will come back with your order. If you order a dessert the matcha pudding like me, they will ask you whether you want it together with your dinner or later. If later, all you do is to put the little saucer on top of the sensor which will let them know that I am ready for next item. There's water dispenser along the wall. Restrooms: 2 gender neutral restrooms read more

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Ichiran | Midtown 1. Classic tonkatsu ramen Ichiran Midtown is a well-known Japanese ramen chain famous for its rich tonkotsu (pork bone) and customizable bowls. The nice thing about this place is that they offer solo dining booths designed for a focused, no distraction ramen experience. They specialize in a simple, consistent menu centered around classic tonkotsu ramen w/ options to adjust your spice level, richness, and noodle firmness. It's definitely a spot to check out if you've never experienced anything like it! read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

An introvert's dream! If you're looking for ramen with minimal interaction from people and staff this Japanese chain is the place for you! The ramen is delicious a nice savory pork-filled broth that I recommend getting all the fixings for including the spice! Depending on what time if the day you go you may encounter a bit of a wait but the staff usually gives you a menu to fill out so when you are seated you can submit your order read more

The place looked just like Ichiran in Japan and the ramen tasted just like Ichiran in Japan. It's pricey, but it's so good, and the price includes tax and tip. You get your own little cubicle to eat and they serve you through a little window. Unlike Japan, you can open the divider so you can dine with your friends and family. It's a great experience if you've never tried it and their ramen is delicious. I like that you can customize your bowl by choosing the amount of saltiness, richness of oil, amount of garlic, scallion, pork chashu, spicy and noodle texture (soft, medium, firm). read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Tonkatsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

THE BIG: Ichiran! And now in the states! This location is in midtown and very close to koreatown. Decently big spot for Ichiran and definitely need to use public transportation to get here. THE BLACK AND WHITE: The wife and I came here for dinner and the place was packed. Fortunately we only had to wait a couple of minutes to be seated and the frontman was nice to have us sit together. We ordered 2x tonkotsu ramen and a matcha beer, all by pen and paper. Service is pretty quick. Matcha beer was alright, seemed like a normal beer (likely asahi) and they sprinkled it with matcha powder. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Pretty pricey as we spent around $65 for two ramens and the matcha beer. Was good, but I don't think I would come back. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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4.5 stars!! Really enjoyed my experience at ICHIRAN Midtown. The food was very good and full of flavor. Following the instructions is important and we asked a lot of questions. I pretty much stuck to the recommendations though I added a soft-boiled egg to my Tonkotsu ramen. The employee who helped us was super friendly. The experience was also fun. Such a different dining experience. The booth ("bar"), the bamboo curtain, the service and "no tipping". If you're with people just be aware that seating is not at a table. You sit next to each other along a "bar" all facing towards the service area. The bamboo curtain will be down and is opened by your "server" when your food and drinks are presented...yes...presented. The "bar" has partitions dividing each individual seating place. The partitions can be moved but if there are more than 2 of you, don't expect a dinner conversation...and this is OK! Other notes: - You pay upfront before you are seated. - If you want to order something during your dining time, then there are order slips in your individual seating spot to add items. You pay for these extras after dining. - No tipping - Being in Times Square/Midtown area, you can certainly expect this place to be busy. Somehow we lucked out and 3 spots were open next to each other during early dinner hour (7PM). When we left the line was out the door. read more

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Came at around 7p for dinner which was went the dinner rush is picking up. You order online first, then will be seated in your cubicle after. It took about 10min for us to be seated. Once you're seated, you share your order and the staff behind the curtain will bring your ramen. I got everything recommended and thought the noodles were great. Broth is very porky and the soup is filling throughout. I also tried the match beer, which was interesting. Overall, it's WAY more pricey and not as good as the Ichiran in Japan, but definitely good enough to get your fill. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

When I learned that my friend hasn't experienced Ichiran neither in Japan when he went nor here in NYC, I was kinda stunned. I insisted that we come here on a rainy, damp, cold Thursday to share in his very first experience. We were instructed to order our meals promptly upon entering, using the iPad that was in front of the cash register. The recommended fix set with everything you should have for your first time was $30+. I was a bit surprised at the high dollar value, but keep in mind there is no tipping in this authentic Japanese establishment. We both opted for that, while I wanted to modify the firmness of my noodles to be more firm that recommended. We arrived just before lunch and were told we would be seated in about 5 minutes or so. This location has the individual stall walls permanently fix so you can't collapse them as you can in other locations if you're a party of two or more. The staff was very efficient at seating everyone, and I did have to speak up that we were skipped over other patrons that were waiting shorter than us. That was quickly addressed and we sat at booths 6 & 7, ironically. There's hooks on the walls for you to hang your coat or bag, and a water dispenser to refill your cup with hot or cold water as often as you wanted. The food came out quickly and we were slurping away in no time! The broth was good, but sadly not as good as I remember at their Brooklyn location. The hardboiled egg was cold, so you need to allow a good amount of time for the yolk to warm up in the broth before taking a bite, or you'll experience cold, runny egg. The noodles were to my liking, and my friend was glad to finally check this off his bucket list. Would I go back? Probably not; there's other places that serve ramen that aren't commercialized like this location. I prefer smaller businesses that are more mom & pop run. Is it worth experiencing if you'd never done it before? Absolutely! read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Ramen in separate seating spots where you don't have to worry about tipping - they do the order upfront and you print out, leave for your server and you don't really see anything other than hands delivering your food and you have hard fixed dividers between diners and hooks on the wall behind you - does remind me of a Tokyo Ramen shop with more people... US not ready for no staff upfront yet. The one in Times Square at least has the foldable wall so you can eat more shared with friends so that was more fun with a group of friends. One style of ramen with varying levels of spice. 1/2 (0.5) spicy is already a bit for me and 3 is already too hot for many 10 - I can't imagine. The pork didn't really have much flavor and was too lean. Water in the back wall you can get yourself. The matcha pudding was very heavy bitter on the matcha. More expensive general set with the ramen and would probably pass next time here. The board will have green and red seats so you can tell which ones are busy and not, similar to the parking lights, the lines here were not too bad at 12 and then by 12:30 when we were done, there was a line out the door on a Wednesday. read more

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What an amazing experience. I loved the booth concept. If you eat here please read the description of the food you are going to eat you will find in front of you when you sit at your spot. Follow those instructions and dive deep in the experience. I loved it. The ramen!? The best I have ever eaten! It was worth the wait! I loved everything about this place. The ambiance, the service , the smooth atmosphere. I will get back there soon! read more

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We had heard a lot about this ramen spot in NYC and finally tried it after a show in the city. Since they don't take reservations, we went for a walk-in and waited about 20 minutes (8-10 people ahead of us) around 10:30 PM. It was snowing, so it honestly felt like the perfect night for hot ramen. The staff managed the line very well and were considerate about the freezing weather, letting people wait inside as space allowed. You order through a tablet first, then wait to be seated. We waited about 10 minutes for a table and another 15 minutes for the ramen. The Japanese-style booth seating was cozy and added to the experience. The ramen was flavorful and comforting. As a vegetarian, I wish there were more veggies (it only had mushrooms and scallions), but overall it was pretty good. My husband enjoyed it even more than I did. The portion size is perfect for one person. They also sell ready ramen kits to make at home, which we wanted to try, but it was too late to order one. There's no tipping -- you just pay for your order. It's a bit pricey (around $30), but overall a great spot, especially on a cold day. I'd definitely recommend it for both the ramen and the experience. read more

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Finally got to try Ichiran in New York and the food was great. I loved being able to customize every part of the ramen with the order sheet and choose all the different options and toppings. The whole experience was smooth and fun. The line was smooth, kiosk ordering, private booth setup, and self-serve water station. It feels efficient and unique compared to a normal ramen spot. The ramen itself was delicious, rich broth, great noodle texture, and all the toppings came together really well. I added an extra egg on top of the recommended add on set, and ended up paying close to $40 for the set, which is the main reason for taking off one star. Great meal, but definitely on the expensive side for ramen. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen + Recommended Toppings Set - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Ichiran is known for its' solo dining booth charm with barebones interaction, perfect for introverts. The ordering process is simple and quick. You just order at the front kiosk and then they give you your tickets and once you're seated you put the tickets down at your stall for the workers to get your order ready. Water is self serve and once you're done eating, you just get up and leave, no tip required! What stood out the most was the broth which was customizable in how much garlic you want, how rich/fatty you want it, saltiness, spice level, and whether you want cha shu and scallions. Customization is always a plus since everyone has their own preference and taste. The Tonkotsu ramen does not come with any other additional toppings for $23, but they have a recommended topping set that will run you about $30 total. The ramen is definitely on the pricey side and average for what you pay since it is so basic and you pay for every add on. The noodles were very average and more firm than I'd have liked even though I ordered soft noodles and the cha shu was tougher than I've had anywhere else, including both the cha shu that came in my order in addition to the extra side of cha shu I ordered. I enjoyed the concept, but having had authentic ramen throughout Japan, this certainly did not meet the high expectations and standards. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Solid ramen, but Japan sets the bar high Had Ichiran Midtown and enjoyed their ramen--flavorful, rich, and satisfying. That said, since I've had ramen in Japan, my expectations were really high, so it didn't fully blow me away. The ambiance is cozy and minimalist, with the classic individual booths that Ichiran is known for, making it a unique solo dining experience. Service is efficient and smooth, perfect if you just want a quick, focused ramen meal. A reliable spot for good ramen, especially if you haven't tried Ichiran in Japan yet. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - ICHIRAN ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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This place definitely lives up to the hype. When you walk in, you order on the screen and pay. Then you take your receipt and get seated, and give the server your receipt. The ramen comes out pretty quick and it is an interesting experience sitting in these individual booths. I came alone so it was pretty cool to be able to zone out everyone else and enjoy a nice bowl of ramen. read more

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This location is near 34th St-Herald Sq area but the street it's on didn't seem too busy. There was a short line outside that Sunday afternoon. We were called in to place our order on one of the 3 tablets, then placed on lines again (based on number in group, I think). This made the small entryway very cramped. The menu is pretty simple. Only one tonkotsu ramen but each bowl is still customizable - noodles' firmness (chose "firm" but will try "extra firm" next time bec they soften up in the broth), saltiness, spice level, toppings, extra items/toppings; also drinks and dessert. Each diner gets a printout of their specific order. I noted 3 curtain-covered aisles: middle=staff, other 2=customers; and a lighted seating chart which indicates seat availability. Once called, the staff member gave a short intro about Ichiran, then we went to our numbered counter/seat. Order forms available; press a button if needed. Coat hooks and water dispensers on opposite wall. Curtain opened up, my bowl was placed in front of me, curtain closed. Classic tonkotsu ramen $22 has scallions and 3 pork chashu slices. Added $7.50 for the same with recommended topping set: addtl scallions, mushrooms, seaweed, ramen egg (hard to peel so slice open and scoop). Pricier than ramens we've had but it's fine bec we made it less salty and actually able to enjoy the broth and the noodles weren't soggy. read more

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2025: a pleasant experience this time from asian receptionist. Still great ramen! Restroom is a bit tight though. 2021: Celebrated my birthday here and I love the RAMEN!!! Customer service is good except for the receptionist(black) rude and looks like he doesn't want customer to come. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Restroom - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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If you get a chance, you must try Ichiran here or at their Times Square location! One of the best ramen I ever had and such a cool experience. Luckily, the wait here wasn't too bad, maybe about 30 mins for dinner. You order at a kiosk when you enter and the host will seat you when it is your turn. I ordered the Classic Tonkotsu Ramen with the recommended topping set. The noodles were cooked to perfection and the broth was so rich and flavorful. Although a bit pricey (~$30pp), I would definitely come eat here again when I visit NY again! read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen with Recommended Toppings Set - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Had a recent visit to Ichiran and was a bit disappointed. It used to be extremely peaceful and quiet, which was the whole charm of dining there. Now it's surprisingly loud inside, and the atmosphere feels completely different. One bowl of ramen with all the toppings came out to almost $30, which is pretty wild. I really wish customers who dine in understood the vibe and culture of this place, it's meant to be calm and mindful, not chaotic. The food is still good, but the overall experience isn't what it used to be. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

I am so excited that I finally got to try ICHIRAN! I came around 4 on a Saturday, and was shocked to see as long as a line as I did outside the shop! There were maybe ~20 people in front of me, and it took about 20-25 minutes to get into the restaurant then order. I placed an order on the tablet when available (they have 3). They allow some personalization so I got increased salt and increased spice, everything else recommended. Then the order is printed out, the person working confirmed my order with me, and then we all stood in a huddle waiting for seating. It is cool to look at the lit up seating map to see what booths are available. Since I was a single person, it took less than 5 minutes to get seated. There's a ton of coat racks and tissues alongside the back wall. When I sat down, someone on the other side of the booth spoke to me to give me a brief rundown of how it works, I handed over my tickets, got water from the cooler behind me, and waited for my meal. After a few minutes my ramen was placed in front of me. It was delicious. The broth was so incredibly flavorful, and the modifications I got were perfect. I ordered dessert and was told that once I'm ready to place a small metal dish on the call button, which caused a song to play. Someone behind the booth took the dish. After a few minutes, the woman in the booth next to me asked if I ordered a pudding. Haha turns out they accidentally delivered it to her and she handed it to me. It was so good, the matcha flavoring was strong, and it was topped with a brown sugar tapioca(?) topping which was great. Overall delicious meal, and I would definitely eat here again. If you go with someone else, may be awkward to chat based on the booth set up, but the people around me managed. But definitely ideal for single diners and you'll get seated faster. read more

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Classic Tonkotsu Ramen + Recommended Toppings Set was $30.50. Pretty pricey ramen combo meal especially having to peel your own hard boiled egg. I suppose it's because there's no tipping so good prices increase instead. The pork chashu was good, the broth ok (I've had better) and ramen was "al dente" which I would prefer softer noodles. At least egg was perfectly cooked and the broth warmed it up. Service was good and quick! Front service was good and she made sure to take those waiting outside in right away to order. Ambiance was great. Counters to sit at to give those "table for 1" quick option for ramen. Coat hangers on the back, next to water coolers and Kleenex handy. Nice factor if just leaving when you're done. They have sensor to show you're done and left the table, so they clean up right away. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen + Recommended Toppings Set $30.50 - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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My favorite ramen spot in Japan, so I'm sooooo happy to be able to eat it here in the US. I am in love with their broth. I even enjoy their instant ramen though that one is a saltier imo and doesn't have their pork chashu pieces. One thing I wish this place has was corn toppings, but the perfection of their broth and noodle texture according to your preference is enough to keep this as my favorite ramen of all time. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

I normally don't like waiting in line but we were dying to try it. Waited about an hour on a Saturday night around 7pm. The broth was good and the noodles were soft, highly recommend. Only thing is I wish the boiled egg wasn't overcooked bc it was so hard to peel lol. Ambience was so different I actually like it! Hooks to hang your jackets, dividers for each person (and you have the option to move the divider so you can talk to whoever you're w) read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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My first time trying ichiran ramen.. and IT WASNT A LET DOWN! I came with the anticipation of a long wait since you're sitting in individual booths but luckily there was no wait for me and I walked right in! First you order at the front on a tablet, then you're given a booth number to sit at. Off the bat this is a great joint for more introverted consumers or people who can appreciate more privacy while eating. Food came fairly quickly, soup had a great deep umami flavor. Will be back here but I wouldn't wait in a line for it. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Such a cool spot for ramen- super authentic and really fun! They have a few locations, and I've heard there's usually a line outside, but luckily every time I've gone, I've walked right in. When you enter, you order and pay on a tablet. The menu is simple, choose your broth, protein, and toppings, or go with the recommended set (which is what I usually do). After ordering, you're assigned to your own cubicle. I'm not sure if they have regular tables, but honestly, the cubicle setup is part of the fun. If you're with friends, they can open the partitions between them so you can sit together (but three people max I think). Then, the little window in front of you opens, and someone serves your ramen through it. You also get a cup for self-serve water. Once you're done, you can just get up and leave since you've already paid. Overall, the food is amazing, the experience is unique, and it's definitely worth checking out! read more

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Came here again on a Friday afternoon around 3pm (last time I had it was 4 yrs ago at the same store) Swung by, there was a short line to put use the kiosk at the front to select your food and pay. You'll get a ticket which then you line up to be seated. This line to get seated took a little longer especially for a Friday afternoon so it was about ~30mins of wait. Got it, gave them my ticket and they just make the food as you selected it when you pay. The seating layout is interesting especially for introverts since everyone is partitioned so you don't sit and have to entertain anyone you came with (or if you are here alone yourself). You don't see or interact the "servers" in the kitchen as well. If you need water iced or hot, you have a cup on your table and water machine behind your seat to help yourself. Food was served hot, cooked to your liking and soup was great. But for ~$20ish dollars for just the Basic tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen with some thin slices of chasu and some toppings (eggs etc are either paid toppings or you can buy the bundle for ~$30. This establishment also takes pride in no-tipping as well. read more

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Must try if you're visiting NYC!! Each guest has their own individual booth so it's perfect if you're eating alone. However it's also convenient if you're eating with others. Their broth is extremely rich and flavorful and their noodles were the best noodles I've had. Plus they offer noodle refills. Service was great as well. We only waited a few minutes before we got sat. They have iPads at the front where you can order in advance making their service fast. Ambience is chill and quiet. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Ordered the tonkotsu ramen with all the fixings. Sadly the meat is no longer the kind that you would normally expect. It was tough almost like it's just a slice of meat. No fat anymore. Broth flavor was still top notch. Comparing to the Times Square branch, this was much much louder with a lot of human interaction, more than what I expected. Other than that, soup saves the day! read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Tonkotsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

My boyfriend ate at an ICHIRAN in Japan and said it was the best ramen he has ever had. So when we visited NYC, we decided to try this branch. ICHIRAN is famous for tonkotsu ramen in Japan. The place had a wait that extended outside. There were also machines to order the ramen from. After a bit of a wait, we were able to sit down. I didn't realize this place had individual booths to sit and eat at. These booths were designed to help an individual focus on the food. It is an interesting concept but definitely makes it hard to carry a conversation with the barrier. We ordered a classic tonkotsu ramen and premium yakibuta. We added a high spice level to the ramen but it was way more spicier than anticipated. The noodles were super soft which I really liked. I do wish there would have been more pork in this dish. The pork was very tender. The premium yakibuta was sweetly marinated. read more

Came on a rainy day around noon and was surprised there wasn't a line. There was a line by the time I left though. You order and pay on an IPAD before you are seated. You can customize what you order. Wait was very quick to get a seat. You do not sit with your party. You get a seat by yourself in a somewhat cubicle looking area. If you need anything, there is a call button for staff. Before you are seated, a receipt is given to you & your seat number. All numbers are on top and you won't be able to miss. There is a small shade that separates you and the staff. They ask you for your receipt when you are seated. The food came very quick. I loved the soup base. Ramen and red spicy sauce paired so well. The pork was tender. I wished it was a little bit saltier but maybe better for me. You are given a cup for water that you can fill yourself from a water cooler. Once you are done, you can leave, as you will have paid before your seated. Ramen is $22 based on which one you order. Enjoyed the experience and the reminder of dining in Japan. read more

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Perfect place for an introvert. Single cubicle to enjoy your ramen. The broth is rich and flavorful but not too heavy. Ramen cooked to your liking and pork that is so tender. What's not to love?!? read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

First time visiting Midtown Ichiran! Went on Sunday around 2pm The lines weren't long, and I waited about 15 minutes. You order right when you walk in using a kiosk, then you get assigned seating. Each table is a private booth, perfect for solo diners. It's nice because you can really focus on eating and enjoying the classic broth instead of chatting a lot with people. You get to experience the authentic taste of real Ichiran ramen. This location has two big rows of private booths, but it still feels spacious. You can store your belongings in the back or under the table. There's even a hook. Very nice setup! read more

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I was alone and needing a meal. I lined up around 5 pm on a weekday and the wait was minimal. When I left, there was a much more substantial line. When you enter in the front, you order your meal first on the self-service kiosk. After you get a print out, you take your ticket with you. At your individual seat, you give them your print out and food arrives. I ordered the classic tonkatsu ramen and the recommended set. The ramen was good as expected. Broth was flavorful. I am glossing over the details here because what I really liked was the matcha pudding. I have not had that before and that was silky smooth. I would come back just for the pudding. read more

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This Ichiran Ramen is almost like the one in Tokyo and Kyoto! The booths with the bamboo curtains, the absolutely delicious ramen, the refreshing Asahi Beer (in matcha!), and the lines of hungry people out the door! Although this New York location uses an iPad instead of the iconic vending machine to order. Now ,if you've had Ichiran Ramen in Japan, you know that this place is special. There is something about the noodles themselves that has a distinct taste unlike any other ramen noodles I've had, and the broth is just so amazing! Savory with just enough salt is what comes to mind. Addicting even! The blend of tonkotsu, seaweed, mushrooms, and egg works as well as you'd expect from a top-notch ramen bowl. When you order, you can really customize your ramen. From the components you want to add or exclude and the size of the noodle cuts to how spicy and how salty you want it to be. I've had Asahi Matcha Beer in Uji, Japan (THE capital of Matcha), and it is still pretty darn tasty! I highly recommend trying it at least once. Finally, we finished our dinner with the matcha pudding, which admittedly is a bit on the small size. Nevertheless, it is a refreshing way to cleanse your taste buds after your ramen. Price wise, everything is more than what you pay for Ichiran in Japan, but I suppose that's the cost of having a shop in New York. Nevertheless, I'm so happy to have Ichiran Ramen, and New York City is lucky to have a few locations! Worth visiting! read more

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Be aware that this restaurant may not adequately accommodate guests with disabilities or mobility limitations during long wait periods. There was a long line outside in the rain, and after requesting accommodation due to difficulty standing outdoors for an extended period, the only option offered was a chair outside in the rain. No indoor waiting accommodation or meaningful alternative was provided. I understand busy restaurants can be difficult to manage, but accessibility should still be taken seriously. I hope management improves accommodations for disabled and mobility-impaired guests in the future. read more

I'm glad I finally got to experience Ichiran Ramen. It's perfect for solo diners. The broth was the best part -- rich and flavorful. The chashu wasn't as tender as I'd prefer. The egg was perfectly soft boiled and I loved the firmness of the noodles. The portion was a little smaller than I expected, especially for the price, but it was a good experience to mimic Ichiran in Japan. I like the idea of being able to focus solely on your food, rather than other external factors. I arrived an hour before closing and was seated immediately. Service was helpful as they walked me through how everything worked. Flavors weren't the best I've ever had, but definitely still a good bowl of ramen. I'd say this place is good to try at least once if you're in the area. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

imo ichiran tastes better in japan but it is also nice to have in the us. I found the meat to be tougher and sliced thicker, so the texture of the chashu was not as enjoyable. It was ok. The noodles were tender and chewy, broth was hearty and heavy. The soft boiled egg was perfectly runny and delicious with the soup. The recommended toppings were a nice addition, but I feel like the only one you gotta have is the egg. Having the dried seaweed, scallions, and kikurage mushrooms were ok but not needed tbh. The music played in the shop is just like in japan. Easy single booth seating. It was pretty pricey, but good to experience. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - tonkotsu ramen plus recommended toppings set - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Maybe 1.5 for the cubicle concept. Used to work in Midtown & have been eating at ramen-ya's since 2004 (sadly a lot of the good ones like Menchanko-Tai & Totto Ramen closed)...just save yourself the $ here - you'll be mad after this meal. I know you've seen the viral videos & the cute solo cubicle dining & call button... But $23 for a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, without any toppings, except for scallions, included (what other places offer for FREE - the pickled ginger, woodear mushrooms, half of a boiled 6-minute egg). EVEN 2 pieces of seaweed cost extra! (btw apparently you're supposed to wrap the Ramen around some noodle and eat it together, for a textural contrast). The 2 slices of pork that did come with the ramen weren't very traditional or high quality - no "coppa / beef roast-like"circular preparation spiral of pork + fat. It was tender though. The noodles were most likely the ones from their package. 1/4 of mine were al dente & not fully cooked through. No fresh Sun Noodles (from NJ) delivered to this "ramen-ya" like the many others throughout NYC. Usually it's wavy noodles with heavier broths (to pick up the oil & flavors better) & straight noodles with lighter soy sauce-based broth. But not sure if Ichiran's combination of straight + broth is specific to the region that "it's from." The broth was very pork-forward, actually more gamey than I'm used to. It's disappointing with all their branding & "history" on signage in every cubicle, I feel bad that the amazing food culture of Fukuoka isn't translated well here. I was bamboozled after passing this place one winter night off the Amtrak & wonder what the large queue was for (but this is probably because the restaurant is a long counter with only about 15-20 seats). Went back to the area for a late weekday lunch (no line, still busy - more than half full) & my stomach dropped when I saw the display of packaged Ramen in the window. I actually might have bought their packaged Ramen once, I just didn't put the name together & was starving. The diverse young staff was nice, but no one was Japanese. Really - go to Turtle Bay (Midtown East) near the Japanese Consulate or East Village (6-8th Streets) & spend under $20 on a bowl of Good Ramen, with the standard toppings included. I guess if all you've ever eaten was packaged ramen or Cup of Noodles, then this restaurant is a "slightly" elevated version of that, but let's be honest - packaged ramen display in the window, probably packaged ramen from the kitchen. read more

So much hype about this place! The wait wasn't too long and the ramen seemed lighter and less oily but was it worth it? Perfect for single dining -- it's difficult to talk to your friends given the wall separators. read more

Excellent ramen! Perfect for a cold NYC evening. Definitely worth the wait. We arrived around 8 pm and there was about a 40 min line. Ramen was cooked perfectly and the broth was amazing. Definitely recommend the recommended add on's on the ramen. read more

ICHIRAN Midtown - Premium Yakibuta - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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