When it comes to Japanese food, one of the most commonly thought of is “ramen.” Indeed, in Japan, you can find various ramen shops scattered all over. Among them, a franchise ramen shop, “Ichiran Ramen,” is particularly well-known to people in Korea.
“Ichiran Ramen in Asakusa, Japan”
Ichiran Ramen is a franchise, making it accessible throughout Japan. This time, I visited one near “Asakusa Station.” The reason for choosing this place was simple—on the second day of my Japan trip, Asakusa was on the itinerary, and I found an Ichiran Ramen shop nearby that offered a unique dining experience for solo diners in a setting reminiscent of a study room.
As Ichiran Ramen is located almost right next to Asakusa Station, finding it was not challenging. However, like many Japanese restaurants, it’s relatively small in size, and there was a considerable line. Thanks to the wait, we could observe that it took quite a while before we could have our meal.
“Ordering Ramen from a Vending Machine”
Similar to other ramen shops, Ichiran Ramen allows you to order your desired menu through a vending machine. Here, too, you could customize options for your ramen, including spiciness level and the amount of ingredients like onions and garlic.
“Solo Tables with a Study Room Atmosphere”
The restaurant offered two seating options: regular tables and solo tables with a study room-like ambiance. On this day, I intentionally chose the solo table to experience a meal in this unique Japanese atmosphere, reminiscent of dining at a study desk.
This venue provided a genuinely Japanese atmosphere, something you wouldn’t encounter in Korea. Particularly for solo travelers, utilizing these solo tables seemed like a fantastic option. The prices were reasonable, and you could enjoy a meal for around 9,000 won.
Of course, the wait time was quite long, and spending a significant amount of time waiting was a bit regrettable. To minimize wait times, it might be a good idea to visit slightly earlier or later than the typical meal hours.
“Tokyo Asakusa, Ichiran Ramen”
- Address: HK Asakusa Building, 1 Chome-1-16 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
- Phone: 3-6674-8847
- Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Website: http://ichiran.com