Ichiran Ramen Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, Japan
I finally got to visit the famous Ichiran Ramen in Japan! Even coming at 5:20 pm, there was a little bit of a line, but it moved quickly (considering the nature of the restaurant and the service, it makes sense) and I got seated soon enough. There was an ordering machine where you pay for the stuff you want first (basic ramen, add-ons, egg, dessert, etc.) and it gives you these little tickets. Then you fill out a little sheet of paper that collectivizes your entire order, and once you get seated you hand the tickets and the paper to the waiter, who then closes the little bamboo window in front of you and you get to sit there in relative silence! (Hence the popular media nickname, restaurant for introverts/anti-social restaurant.)
The food: was DELICIOUS. Hands down the best ramen I’ve ever had. The broth was just the right amount of flavor, the Medium spicy option I ordered gave it a nice kick, and everything from the boiled egg to the chashu to the matcha almond tofu I ordered were amazing. The proportions were also perfect- the right amount of broth for the right amount of noodles- and this was the first time ever that I’ve finished a ramen bowl clean.
TLDR: HIGHLY RECOMMEND.