The Best Ramen in the World

ラーメン

As an avid lover of ramen, I made it my personal mission to stop at as many ramen shops as I possibly could while I traveled through Japan. There are several regions of Japan known for incredible cuisine. Osaka has a reputation for being a foodie’s paradise. Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, has perfected a specific style of thick, creamy bone broth called Tori Paitan that is difficult to find in other places. And Tokyo has enough varieties and reinterpretation of the dish to keep you occupied for a decade or more.

So you might assume the best ramen is hidden down a side alley in a small town, served by an old man with a single pot who doesn’t know a single word of English. A once-in-a-lifetime find.

But you’d be wrong. The best ramen I’ve ever had came from a well-known chain called Ichiran.

Ichiran

Enter Ichiran. An extremely unique and satisfying experience, made better by extensive customizability.

Ichiran is just…different. A chain, yes—but one unlike any you’ve seen.

The concept is surprisingly simple. You walk in and order from a kiosk. A standard bowl of tonkotsu ramen costs around 700 yen (about $5). You can add extras like soft-boiled eggs, extra noodles, or extra pork. The machine spits out tickets, and a staff member silently ushers you to your booth.

And this is where things get special.

Each booth is designed for one person. There’s a private water tap, a call button, and a pencil with a card where you customize your ramen exactly how you want it: broth richness, noodle firmness, garlic, green onions, and of course, spice level.

At the front of the booth is a curtain. When you’re ready, you hand your tickets and your ramen card through the small opening. A pair of polite hands takes them, the curtain drops, and the magic begins.

A few minutes later, your personalized bowl arrives through the small opening. A staff member says a few Japanese words, followed by a bow and a quick exit. No distractions. No chatter. Just you and your ramen.

The Best Ramen in the World?

So maybe it’s an exaggeration, but it’s a very strong contender. It’s certainly the most reliable, affordable, quick, and consistently incredible ramen I’ve ever had.

In my opinion, it’s best compared to In-N-Out or Shake Shack. Can you find a better burger if you search hard enough? Probably. Can you find one that good, at that price point, with that kind of experience and consistency? Doubtful.

Ichiran just nails it—on flavor, on vibe, and on value.

Make your own

Of course, the tragedy is that you eventually have to leave Japan. And back home, ramen just doesn’t hit the same. It’s heavier. Saltier. Emptier.

But Ichiran knows this too—and they’ve got your back.

They sell take-home ramen kits at many of their locations. In fact, you can even find them in tax-free shops at Narita Airport. Yes, it’s boxed ramen. Yes, it’s not nearly as good as what you can get in-house. But it’s miles ahead of anything you’ll find in a western grocery store. Even if you can’t buy it in Japan, there are niche internet marketplaces around the world that stock it.

If you’re a ramen enthusiast like me, go ahead and search for it on Amazon. It might be one click away.

Final Thoughts

Ichiran isn’t just a normal bowl of noodles—it’s an all-out sensory experience, and a reminder that food can be fast, simple, and soul-satisfying all at once. It’s an delicious meal designed around you, without pretense or compromise.

And while it might not be the rarest bowl of noodles in Japan, it’s the one I keep thinking about.

It’s the one I crave.

It’s my one and only.

Disclaimer

This post is NOT sponsored by Ichiran, but I am absolutely willing to shill for them.

Please sponsor me.