Concept
Ichiran is the world’s leading expert in Tonkotsu ramen. Conceptualized by President and CEO Manabu Yoshitomi in Fukuoka, the epicenter of this ramen movement, Ichiran has 83 locations throughout Asia with three more in New York City. The family-owned business started in Fukuoka as a simple ramen stall in 1960 and ultimately created the “Five Originals” for Tonkotsu ramen, including Original Spicy Red Sauce, aromatic Tonkotsu broth, solo dining booths, order forms and the Kae-Dama ordering system. Ichiran designed the concept so customers could focus only on the ramen that sits before them, savoring the fragrance of the broth and experiencing each slurp of ramen. The team at Ichiran is committed to providing the most authentic and quality flavor Tonkotsu ramen experience using the finest ingredients, masterful techniques and family secret preparations by gifted artisans.
How it Works
Ichiran has created a simple and straightforward ordering process for its diners. Guests will wait in line for a vacant seat, which can be seen on a light up panel before walking into the seating area. An order sheet is then found at each booth where customers can personally customize their ramen choosing different ingredients, flavor levels, noodle texture and Kae-Dama (noodle refill). After filling out the form and returning it to a staff member using the call button, a team prepares the individualized bowl of ramen and presents it to the diner in an original Jubako ramen bowl. To ensure that the quality of the ramen is seamless every time, a 15 second standard is applied, where each bowl is delivered in 15 seconds from kitchen to the table.
The Menu
The one and only star of the show at Ichiran is the Tonkotsu ramen, whose ingredients are expertly crafted in its Brooklyn factory and then brought to each location to be prepped by the staff. The Hakata-style, homemade, thin noodles are prepared daily, factoring in the humidity and temperature that day. The noodles are made using Ichiran’s unique blend of flour, producing the perfect texture to pair with the broth and spicy red sauce. The classic Tonkotsu broth is created with the purest filtered water and pork bones, which normally produce a stronger aroma, but by using specific technology and extraction methods, this scent has been eliminated. The broth is rich in natural collagen, and Ichiran is the first ramen company to use trans-fat-free natural oil. The Original Spicy Red Sauce (Hiden no Tare) is Ichiran’s greatest secret and only four people have access to the recipe. The togarashi pepper-based sauce is aged and cooked slowly with more than 30 different types of spices to create a complex blend of spicy and rich flavors. Each ramen bowl can be tailored with the diner’s choice of dashi flavoring, spice and richness levels, garlic, scallion, Chashu (sliced pork) and noodle textures. Further, Ichiran also features a veggie ramen with a light, flavorful Dashi broth.
Additional toppings and sides can also be ordered, including marinated pork loin, which is only available in the U.S., kikurage mushrooms, soft-boiled egg, dried seaweed, white rice and osukaran vinegar. Guests can also order extra toppings as well as noodle refills known as Kae-Dama.
For dessert, Ichiran serves up a light and airy matcha pudding with kuromitsu (brown sugar), providing the perfect sweet finish to the meal.
Ichiran’s beverage menu includes a selection of draft beers such as Asahi Super Dry and matcha, as well as matcha green tea, Ramune (a Japanese soda) and Calipico, a soft drink with hints of citrus and yogurt flavors. Additionally, a variety of Japanese Sake and Shochu are also available.
An Ichiran take-home ramen kit is also available online for guests to enjoy the experience in their own kitchens. The kit contains three servings of individually packed noodles, liquid soup concentrate and original spicy red seasoning.
Takeout and delivery are available at each of Ichiran’s Times Square, Midtown and Brooklyn locations via Uber Eats.
U.S. Locations
Times Square: 152 West 49th Street, New York, NY 10019.
Hours: Monday – Thursday 12:00 PM – 7:30 PM. Friday – Sunday 12:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Brooklyn: 374 Johnson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206.
Hours: Monday – Friday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Saturday & Sunday 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Midtown: 132 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001.
Hours: Monday – Thursday 12:00 PM – 7:30 PM. Friday – Sunday 12:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
For more information, visit ichiranusa.com or connect with the restaurant on Facebook @ichiranny, Instagram @ichiran_ny and Twitter @ichiranny.
