Ichiran Ramen 2024 Guide: Popular Menus, Stores, Gifts, and More!

Ichiran Ramen Guide

1. History and Origin of Ichiran Ramen
2. Ichiran Ramen's Principles
3. Unique Ichiran Ramen Stores
4. A Guide to Dining at Ichiran Ramen
5. Ichiran Ramen Souvenir Products
6. Customize Your Own Ichiran Ramen! Official Instant Ramen Recipes
7. Embark on an Ichiran Ramen Tour!

History and Origin of Ichiran Ramen

Ichiran Ramen was founded in 1993, with its first location in Nanokawa in Fukuoka City.

In an era where tonkotsu ramen shops were abundant, Ichiran broke the mold by introducing its unique style of tonkotsu ramen with a special red spicy sauce made from chili peppers instead of the traditional pepper seasoning, ushering in a new era for tonkotsu ramen.

Ichiran Ramen's Principles

Picture courtesy of ICHIRAN CO., LTD.

Special Fresh Noodles

The noodle masters select premium wheat flour for the noodle base, adjusting production according to the daily weather conditions. The noodles are stored in a special vacuum noodle box until they are cooked. The noodle cooker is also equipped with sensors to maintain the right temperature. It automatically injects approximately 110cc to 150cc of hot water every ten seconds to ensure the optimal water temperature.

There are strict rules for the "three shakes only" action when tossing the noodles. Noodles shaken more than four times are considered unsatisfactory and not served to customers. Furthermore, there is a strict requirement that the noodles must be served to customers within "15 seconds" after they are cooked.

Stringent Temperature Control

Various ingredients and utensils are rigorously temperature-controlled to maintain noodles at the ideal serving temperature. The bowls are kept at a constant temperature, and the broth, cooking oil, and soup temperatures are measured every four hours to ensure precise temperature control.

Only the required amount of char siu (roasted pork) is used and heated using a specialized machine. Freshly cut spring onions are only added to the ramen before serving to prevent temperature reduction. If customers request additional toppings like spring onions, wood ear mushrooms, or seaweed, they are served separately in other bowls to avoid affecting the ideal serving temperature.

Plating Like Artwork

The overall appearance, composed of elements like noodles, soup base, char siu, spring onions, and the special red sauce, resembles an artwork with its simple yet elegant presentation.

Received Food Safety Management System Certification

Ichiran, which works diligently under strict food safety guidelines, has been recognized by the PJR verification agency for its manufacturing and supply of ramen ingredients. It is the first ramen establishment in the industry to receive ISO 22000 certification.

Unique Ichiran Ramen Stores

Ichiran Ramen has locations throughout Japan and globally, with several standout stores. We'll introduce a few of these unique locations below.

Ichiran Ramen Asakusa Rokku Store

Ichiran Ramen Asakusa Rokku Store features octagonal bowls believed to enhance luck and prosperity, with illustrations of "treasures"—"pine, bamboo, plum," and other symbols of good fortune.

Moreover, if you finish the ramen broth in one go, the bottom of the bowl will reveal the phrase "great luck!"
Store Address: 2F, 2-6-11 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Ichiran Ramen Fukuoka Canal City Hakata Store・Ichiran Tenjin Nishidori Store

Ichiran Ramen Fukuoka Canal City Hakata Store・Ichiran Tenjin Nishidori Store uses square stacked ramen bowls instead of the typical round ramen bowls.

This dish is meticulously handcrafted by artisans specializing in Arita-yaki ceramics in Saga Prefecture. After you finish the soup, you will see this message at the bottom of the bowl: "This drop is the ultimate joy."

Fukuoka Canal City Hakata Store Address: 1-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
For the latest information, please check the official website

Ichiran Tenjin Nishidori Store Address: 2-1-57 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 AM

Ichiran no Mori Fukuoka Itoshima Store

Picture courtesy of ICHIRAN CO., LTD.
Ichiran no Mori Fukuoka Itoshima Store is one of Ichiran's manufacturing bases located in Itoshima City, Fukuoka. With a total area of 28,000 tsubo (around 93,000 square meters), it houses not only a ramen shop and noodle manufacturing facility but also a Tonkotsu Ramen Museum where visitors can learn about Ichiran's history.

Picture courtesy of ICHIRAN CO., LTD.
This location is the only facility among Ichiran's stores where visitors can observe the noodle-making process, making it a must-visit destination for fans of Ichiran Ramen.

Ichiran Ramen Dining Process Tutorial

Before heading to the popular ramen chain restaurant Ichiran Ramen, it's best to familiarize yourself with the dining process beforehand to avoid feeling rushed or confused on-site. Here is the dining process:

1. Purchase meal tickets at the entrance.
2. Wait to be seated by staff.
3. Select personal preferences, such as noodle firmness and broth intensity.
4. Serve yourself drinking water.
5. Enjoy your ramen.
6. If you wish to add more noodles, a soft-boiled egg, char siu, or other items, you can ring the bell to call a staff member.

※ For a detailed dining process, you can refer to the video below:

Ichiran Ramen Souvenir Products

Ichiran Ramen offers a variety of souvenirs, making it one of the most popular gifts in Japan, suitable for both gifting and personal use.

Ichiran Ramen Tonkotsu Rolled Noodles

Numerous tests were conducted during the development phase to complement the tonkotsu broth and to determine the noodles' thickness, curliness, and firmness to achieve the ideal noodle texture. The rolled noodles made from carefully selected wheat flour are designed to grasp the broth adequately, ensuring that each bite is rich and satisfying.

Ichiran Ramen Hakata Thin Noodles (Straight Noodles)

This souvenir, crafted from Hakata thin noodles (straight noodles), tonkotsu broth, and a secret red seasoning powder, features noodles crafted from premium wheat flour. Employing an exclusive method, these noodles effectively prevent cloudiness during the hot water process, allowing individuals to fully relish the rich tonkotsu broth.

Ichiran Ramen Yaki Ramen Hakata Thin Noodles

Yaki Ramen is a famous street food in Fukuoka, and Ichiran has turned it into a unique souvenir. You can cook this distinctive local noodle dish by using a flat pan and adding pork, cabbage, and hot water to your preference. Unlike noodle soup, yaki ramen is stir-fried, allowing you to savor the rich sauce.

Ichiran Ramen Instant Cup Noodles

The detailed development required for these Tonkotsu instant noodles differs from the previous two products. This item requires only hot water to replicate the restaurant's taste, offering great convenience for those on the go! The iconic secret red spicy powder synonymous with Ichiran Ramen has been uniquely blended to suit the instant noodles. When tasted, you can experience a delicious blend of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors.

Secret Red Spicy Powder

The specially crafted spicy powder from carefully selected chili peppers worldwide enhances the broth's flavor when added to the ramen. When used in stir-fries or simmered dishes, it complements the base flavors of the ingredients, elevating the overall taste to another level!

Ichiran Ramen Chicken Broth (Available on the Official Website)

Picture courtesy of ICHIRAN CO., LTD.

Ichiran has also developed a chicken broth that doesn't contain pork. Moreover, its richness rivals that of the original tonkotsu broth! This innovation benefits tourists who cannot consume pork.

Ichiran Ramen Vegetarian Broth (Available on the Official Website)

Picture courtesy of ICHIRAN CO., LTD.
Ichiran spent six years developing a plant-based vegetarian broth for vegetarians who want to enjoy Ichiran Ramen. Despite being made entirely with plant-based ingredients, the broth's density, richness, and deliciousness are on par with the original tonkotsu broth.

If you wish to purchase these souvenirs—aside from buying them on the official Ichiran website, direct ramen shops, or at certain chain supermarkets—I highly recommend visiting Don Quijote stores across Japan. You can find a wider range of Ichiran merchandise at these stores and use exclusive MATCHA coupons to save money!

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Customize Your Own Ichiran Ramen! Official Instant Ramen Recipes

Picture courtesy of ICHIRAN CO., LTD.
To allow customers to customize flavors to their liking, Ichiran has released many exclusive recipes on its official website.

Adjusting Broth Intensity

Adding all the powdered broth and half of the liquid broth is ideal for those who prefer a lighter taste. For a richer flavor, mix in all the powdered broth thoroughly, remove four tablespoons of broth after stirring, then add the liquid broth.

Adjusting Noodle Firmness

Here are the recommended cooking times for noodles:
- Extra firm: 2 minutes and 30 seconds
- Firm: 3 minutes
- Regular: 4 minutes
- Soft: 5 minutes

Making the Broth Clearer

To make the broth clearer, cook the noodles by adding hot water. After 4 minutes, pour out the hot water used for cooking the noodles, add fresh hot water, and then mix in the broth.

Utilizing Leftover Ramen Broth When Cooking Other Dishes

Picture courtesy of Pixta
Clear and Distinctive Fried Rice

It is recommended to use the remaining light-flavored broth to cook this dish. The cooking process is as follows:
1. Start by stir-frying 200 grams of white rice with egg.
2. Then, add the leftover ramen broth and spring onions for stir-frying to complete the dish.

Picture courtesy of Pixta
Japanese-Style Dashi Egg Roll

It is recommended to use the rich-flavored remaining broth to cook this dish. The cooking process is as follows:

Pour the hot water with the powdered broth into a container.
Crack an egg into the mixture, and whisk the egg whites until they are frothy.
Heat in the microwave to complete (700W for 2 minutes).

Embark on an Ichiran Ramen Tour!

If you're a fan of Ichiran Ramen, you shouldn't miss the featured Ichiran specialty stores and souvenir products mentioned above! Next time you visit Japan, why not embark on an Ichiran Ramen tour?

Use this Don Quijote coupon to purchase Ichiran Ramen souvenirs!