Ichiran

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. 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. M

Ichiran—A Peep Show for a Noodle Fiend Getting ready for a massive New York blizzard, I thought it prudent to fill up on some spicy ramen before this mean Nor’easter touched down. I’d actually never heard of Ichiran (don’t judge me), but as often is the case, my stomach found this gem. I went inside and was greeted by the host/technician/ramen ambassador who walked me through the process like I was about to defuse a bomb. I went with the Classic Tonkotsu Ramen with all the fixings—a little heavy on the broth, a bit spicy. Then I was escorted to what can only be described as a g-rated peep show window for frisky broth. The setup goes down like this: you sit in a tiny cubicle about the width of a small go-kart, then a bamboo half-window opens, puppeteer hands reach through to grab your

Hands down the best ramen I’ve had in the city. The fact that it can be personalized is a game changer. The broth was exquisite, the noodles just right and the amount was just perfect. In a cold day there’s nothing better than to get a ramen bowl and this place will be my go to when I’m not in a hurry. There is always a line at all times I’ve passed by. A 15 min wait was my experience but definitely depends on how busy they are. Honestly the whole experience is simply great. Must try!

I was never really a fan of ramen—maybe I just never had it at the right place. But the tonkotsu ramen here was very rich and full of flavor. I actually finished the entire bowl, which I’ve never done before. Usually, noodles make me feel too heavy, but these noodles were thin and served in just the right amount, so it felt easy to eat. The menu itself is pretty limited, with not many options or much variety in ramen. It was also a bit on the pricier side for the portion, especially since it came with only two pieces of meat. I ended up ordering extra meat on the side, but honestly, it was worth it. I went on a rainy day, and luckily there was no line—I was seated within five minutes. I really enjoyed the experience and would definitely go back.

Ichiran was a very structured and unique experience from the moment we arrived. The process starts with waiting in line to order at the counter, and if you are buying alcohol, you are asked to show ID before placing your order. After ordering, you are assigned a booth and asked to leave your receipt on the table, and the food is then brought directly to you. Everything felt organized and efficient, even though we waited about 45 minutes to get in. Ordering itself was easy and straightforward using the iPad, which made customization simple. The seating setup is very distinctive, with single booths designed for one person per booth. It creates a quiet, focused environment where you can really enjoy the meal without distractions. We ordered the veg ramen along with soft boiled eggs, and the