I revisited the place because the small ramen I had last time was excellent. This time, I brought a ramen-loving colleague with me. We wanted to try the "soupless" ramen this time. The owner is a former bouncer from the popular Jiro-style mixed soba shop in Ikebukuro East Exit. If the small ramen was Jiro-style, then the "soupless" ramen must be inspired by the bouncer's taste. We walked along Okubo Street towards the east side of Nakano, opposite the station. As we entered the alley from the signal near Shinjuku Kitasanno Post Office, we noticed a yellow curtain and a humble yellow sign. Inside the restaurant, there were 9 counter seats with some available seats. Today, I was with my colleague, and luckily we could sit side by side at the available seats. I chose the "soupless" option with an additional seasoned egg. I wanted to enjoy the "soupless" ramen in a sukiyaki style, just like last time, so I added a seasoned egg. The "soupless" ramen is 223-style oil soba, showcasing the owner's skills honed from his days as a bouncer. My colleague opted for the small ramen with a seasoned egg. I had told my colleague that eating a seasoned egg with ramen in a sukiyaki style is delicious. We sat at a seat towards the back, placing the freshly bought food tickets on the counter. From our seats, we could see the noodle-making machine in the private room in front. Furthermore, at the back on the left, there was one of Jiro's trademarks, a stack of strong flour bags. Although the owner was working alone, the operation seemed to have improved even more since the last time. He was boiling noodles for up to 4 batches for the 9 customers present. The food was served without much wait, about 10 minutes. When I received the food ticket, I was informed that the seasoned egg was already included in the dish, which I had not expected. I had initially requested to add a seasoned egg separately. I decided to keep the seasoned egg as it was and not ask for a refund. Before the food was served, we were asked about the toppings. I chose "extra everything," of course. The toppings for the "soupless" ramen were different from regular ramen, with mayonnaise mixed in. My colleague also chose "extra everything." Unlike the ramen toppings, the toppings for the "soupless" ramen did not stand in a cone shape but filled the gaps between the noodles and the bowl. To prevent the sauce from splattering, gently mix the noodles and vegetables. At that moment, the seasoned egg on the dish mixed with the noodles and vegetables. I first tried the noodles and vegetables without slurping, just as they were. The dish was moderately oily and not as heavy as I had expected. It had a good amount of chewiness, providing a satisfying texture. The fatty toppings had a sweet flavor that enhanced the dish when mixed. Moreover, it was not overwhelming, so I could enjoy it without getting tired of it. I had added garlic, but its flavor was hidden by the oil. The pork was consistently delicious, tender, and full of flavor when I took a bite. When I encountered a fatty part, the flavor intensified even more. I cracked the extra seasoned egg, mixed it, and slurped the noodles in one go. The egg added richness and combined with the robust noodles, reaching the peak of flavor. I felt even fuller after enjoying the small ramen. It was a delightful experience to make a delicious dish even more enjoyable and satisfying. In Jiro's restaurants, the service can be rough, and some shops may make customers uncomfortable. Despite working alone, the owner here had a calm and customer-oriented approach, which seemed to be his specialty. Overall, I think this restaurant is excellent in terms of food and service.

On my second visit to Jibie Homemade Noodles 223, I arrived around 7 pm and they were about to close with no chashu left. They offered me a substitute with kuzure chashu, which I gladly accepted. They even gave me a quail egg as a service. I ordered the noodles with small pork, firm texture, extra garlic in the vegetables, and extra fat. The taste was consistently delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Today, I charged up with some Jiro-style ramen after a long time. I went to a Jiro-inspired shop called 223 (Fujisan?) that opened in Okubo in April 2023. The owner has experience training in various Jiro-style shops like Ikebukuro Jiro, Yellow, and Yojimbo. I've seen people lining up before opening, and I've always wanted to try it. I arrived 10 minutes before opening on a weekday and was second in line. The shop opened a little after 11:00, and there were already 6 people waiting. The operation was a bit slow as the friendly male owner was managing everything alone. The counter had about 10 seats, and the air conditioning wasn't very effective, making it a bit hot and lacking cleanliness in some areas. Since it was a one-man operation, things seemed a bit disorganized, but I could see that he was doing his best, so it didn't bother me much. They offered basic ramen, soupless ramen, and tsukemen (limited to summer). The menu also indicated the approximate amount of noodles. This time, I ordered the basic small ramen. Toppings like sliced green onions were quite abundant. Self-serve water, tissues available, automatic ladles, and seasonings like pepper, chili pepper, vinegar, and broth were provided. Finally, at 11:20, the ramen was served. The small ramen cost 850 yen and came with garlic, pork fat, and bean sprouts. The bean sprouts were slightly undercooked, but the portion was decent even without extra toppings. The pork fat was fluffy and flavorful. The broth was slightly emulsified, with visible layers of liquid oil. It had a thick, rich pork flavor and was easy to drink due to its mellow taste. The noodles were slightly thinner than typical Jiro-style noodles, with a slippery texture and a good chewiness. They were cooked just right, not too firm or too soft. The broth didn't have as much richness as I would have liked. The pork consisted of two large pieces and some shredded meat, mainly lean with a tender, not too fatty texture. The seasoning was simple, relying on the natural flavor of the pork. The garlic was quite spicy, so be careful if you like extra garlic. Overall, it was tasty, but it didn't leave a strong impression on me. I felt like the broth needed a bit more punch. The owner is friendly, so it's a welcoming place even for those not familiar with Jiro-style ramen. Thank you for the meal!

- Order: Mini Ramen (800 yen) with garlic oil - Overall impression: The ramen was well-balanced and the toppings were delicious, complementing the soup well. I opted for the mini ramen, but found it surprisingly easy to eat, so I think a regular male portion would be better suited for most people. The restaurant had around 10 counter seats and the turnover was fast. - Situation: Visited around 11:30 AM with no wait time.

This place opened near my house in April this year. I've been wanting to try it but always missed the timing due to long lines. Today, I finally decided to give it a shot and tried their ramen. I ordered a small ramen with extra pork and garlic. I'm not an expert on Jiro-style ramen, but it was delicious. The homemade noodles were visually impressive and had the perfect balance of firmness and chewiness. If I ever crave Jiro-style ramen again, I will definitely come back!

I wanted to eat tsukemen so I went first thing in the morning, but to my surprise, they were sold out of tsukemen! I had to settle for soupless ramen with garlic, a little bit of vegetables, and a visually striking presentation. The toppings included bean sprouts, cabbage, a little bit of pork, seaweed, raw egg, green onions, and tempura crumbs. It was a shame that there was not much pork. The noodles were 300g, I should have gone with 250g... The broth had a strong pork bone flavor with a slightly spicy kick, making it quite indulgent. The tempura crumbs and green onions added a nice touch, and the raw egg and garlic were delicious. It was a struggle to finish halfway through, but I managed to eat it all. Next time, I'll go with 250g. If you're looking for a special and indulgent flavor, I recommend the soupless ramen!

I knew it would take some time to arrive, but it finally did. I ordered a small ramen for 850 yen, with 300g and extra toppings. Although I was a regular at Kotakihashi Jiro, this ramen was just as delicious, if not better. I had to eat quickly as my meeting time was approaching. The owner trained at various places like Jiro Ikebukuro, Yellow, and Yojimbo. I was seated at the back, where the floor was quite dirty, but it added to the charm. I didn't want to write about it because it might become too popular to get in, but it seems like it will gain even more popularity in the future.

Homemade Noodles 223 (Tokyo/Ookubo) 3-9-10 Kitashinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo "Small Ramen ¥850" @jikaseimen223 #jikaseimen223 Located a 6-minute walk from JR Chuo Line Ookubo Station, a 10-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line Shin-Okubo Station, and about a 20-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, this Jiro-inspired restaurant opened on April 6, 2023. The owner has previous experience working at Jiro-style restaurants such as "Ramen Jiro Ikebukuro Higashi-guchi," "Ramen Jiro Kabukicho," "Ramen Yellow," and "Yojimbo." The name of the restaurant comes from the resemblance of the vegetable toppings to Mount Fuji, with "223" (Fuji-san) as a play on words. Arrived on a weekday at 12:25 with a wait of 4 people. The owner operates alone, and the turnover rate is decent. Ordered the "Small Ramen" with a call for garlic and oil. Each batch consists of about 4-5 bowls. The soup is a slightly emulsified type, sweet and mild. The impact of the seasoning is not strong, giving a light impression. There is seasoning on the table for self-adjustment. The noodles are thick noodles from Osaka-ya Seimen in a box. There are many reviews mentioning homemade noodles, so they might be homemade. The noodles have a chewy texture with a good bite. They go well with the soup. The noodle portion is 300g, which felt quite generous. The vegetable toppings are plentiful without needing extra. It's like Mount Fuji, easy to see. The oil is a firm type. I was hoping for the black oil from "Ramen Jiro Ikebukuro Higashi-guchi," but it's not like that. The pork is a large, tender type with plenty of fat, providing a satisfying eating experience. Overall, it's an easy-to-enter, easy-to-eat Jiro-inspired restaurant with a good atmosphere created by the owner. Thank you for the meal. #SmallRamen #RamenJiro #Jiro #JiroInspired #JiroStyle #Ramen #RamenInstagram #RamenLover #RamenEnthusiast #RamenClub #RamenPatrol #RamenHunting #GourmetInstagram #ramen #japanesefood #OokuboRamen #OokuboGourmet #RyumenTokyo #RyumenShinjuku #RyumenOokubo Posted by @ryumen827

At Jikaseimen 223 in Okubo, I had ramen. Recently, a new Jiro-style shop in Okubo called Jikaseimen 223 has been gaining attention. The owner of this shop seems to have worked at various Jiro-style and inspired shops like Ikebukuro Jiro. That's why I had high expectations! When I arrived around 6:30 pm on a weekday, about 80% of the seats were taken. There were many customers who seemed like regulars. This time, I chose a small ramen with raw egg and flavored egg, with garlic and vegetables in small amounts, and extra oil. First, let's talk about the soup. At first, it seemed light due to the mild emulsification, but as I drank more, I started to feel the strong pork broth, and towards the end, the flavor became stronger. The noodles were slightly firm and thick, allowing me to clearly taste the Jiro-style influence. I really liked this type of noodle. The vegetables were slightly crunchy. Even though the default amount was quite decent, I chose to have less, which turned out to be the right decision. If you add extra, it's quite a lot. The pork was tender and flavorful, with a good size that provided a satisfying bite. I recommend eating it early on as it can be tough to finish towards the end. The flavored egg was perfectly runny and delicious. It was a nice contrast to the hearty ramen. I finished by dipping it in the raw egg. I ended up quite full. If I hadn't reduced the vegetables, it could have been risky. The owner manages the shop alone, but is very kind and provides great service, making it a comfortable place to dine. This shop seems like it will become even more popular in the future.

Small ramen for 850 yen, with 300g of noodles. It comes with plenty of vegetables, including a good amount of cabbage. The pork is tender with just the right amount of fat, giving it a delicious flavor. The noodles are slightly soft. There are two pieces of pork that are lean with a good chewy texture. The seasoning is mild but brings out the savory flavor of the meat. The owner is friendly and the atmosphere is cozy.

I visited the newly opened "Jikasei Men 223" on April 6, 2023. The owner is said to be from the NS-style Jiro (Jiro Ikebukuro Higashi Exit, Shinjuku Kabukicho), so I followed the official Twitter account and decided to visit the shop located near JR Yamanote Line "Shin-Okubo Station" for some errands. The shop is in North Shinjuku, about a 10-minute walk from "Shin-Okubo Station." When I arrived around 5:30 pm on a weekday, there was one person inside the shop and three people waiting outside. The shop has a clean interior with a single owner handling everything, and it has a L-shaped counter with 10 seats. I purchased my meal ticket from the ticket machine after waiting for about 20 minutes. The menu includes options like "Small Ramen 850 yen," "Small Pork 950 yen," "Soupless Ramen 950 yen," "Mini Ramen 800 yen," "Large Ramen 950 yen," and "Tsukemen 1,000 yen." The noodle portions are set at 300g for "Small," 400g for "Large," and 160g for "Mini." I ordered the "Small Ramen 850 yen" with an additional raw egg for 50 yen. The table had white pepper, black pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, and chili pepper available. The free toppings included "vegetables," "garlic," and "pork fat," with options to add more. The vegetables were slightly generous, and I opted for extra garlic and pork fat. The garlic was a good amount, about two tablespoons, and the pork fat was sweet and tender. The soup was slightly sweet with a mild emulsification. Adjusting the flavor with soy sauce made it delicious. The pork was tender and the seasoning was well-balanced. The noodles were thick and curly, providing a chewy texture. I also tried dipping the noodles in the raw egg, which added a rich flavor. Although the menu stated 300g of noodles, it felt like more. The owner was friendly and the atmosphere was great. It was truly a fantastic bowl, coming from a former Jiro shop. I look forward to trying the popular "Soupless Ramen" on my next visit.

The chatty group in front of the line wouldn't leave even after finishing their meal, so I peeked through the curtain and saw a group of students chatting happily with the owner. The owner, as always, was kind and patient. When the group left, a rush of 5-6 people entered, with me at the front. The owner, who didn't seem very skilled, hurriedly prepared 5-6 bowls. It seemed like the owner had put in a lot of effort to get to this point. My bowl arrived with lots of veggies, extra garlic, and extra oil, just like the first time I tried it. It tasted even better than before. Thank you for the delicious meal. The rainy season is almost over, and it's getting hotter. Please take care of yourself, owner.

Ramen, nira kimchi, no Korean seaweed topping! The shop is within walking distance from the station. The inside of the shop is clean and cozy. I wanted to have less noodles, but I missed the timing to ask and ended up with a normal amount. Even without toppings, there is a lot of vegetables, so it's best to consult with your stomach. The noodles and soup were delicious. Next time, I want to try the soup-less ramen.

It's about a 7-minute walk from Okubo Station. I was interested in this new ramen shop inspired by Jiro-style ramen. I visited around 12:30 pm and was able to enter without waiting in line. I ordered with firm noodles, extra vegetables, extra garlic, and extra fat! There was a lot of vegetables, and the garlic was also quite abundant. The owner of this shop used to work at Ramen Jiro Kabukicho and Ikebukuro, so the soup is familiar and rich in flavor. The char siu was also my preferred tender type. It was delicious, and I will definitely be coming back. Thank you for the meal.

Tsukemen style negi-men without soup: The richness of the Tsukemen style negi-men is even more pronounced in this soupless, junky deliciousness. I wish the spiciness of the negi was a bit milder, but mixing it with mayonnaise made it tasty. I added vinegar halfway through for a refreshing finish.

Mini Ramen (160g) for 800 yen, with a little garlic, vegetables, and oil. On weekdays at 12 pm, there was a wait for one person, but luckily I was able to enter right away. After that, there were 5-6 people waiting in line. The restaurant has a good reputation and it seems to be gaining popularity. It took 16 minutes from ordering to getting the ramen. The owner of the restaurant is friendly, and the interior is clean, making it a good option for those who find it difficult to go to Jiro's. The customers who come here seem to feel the same way. It may be tough for the owner to handle everything alone, especially when confirming toppings, but the ramen is really delicious. It has a taste that can be compared to Jiro's. The soup, noodles, soft chashu, flavorful oil, and crunchy vegetables are all well-balanced. The amount of noodles in the mini size is just right, not too much or too little. I remember checking before and the mini size had around 180g of noodles, but when I checked the ticket machine today, it was around 160g.

I visited around 10:14 on 23/06. I sat down and the place quickly filled up. It's a popular spot judging by the crowd even at this time. The menu includes Mini Ramen for 800 yen, Small Ramen for 850 yen, and Large Ramen for 950 yen. Last time I had the Small Buta and there was too much meat! So this time I bought a ticket for the Small Ramen for 850 yen. Just before they bring the ramen, they ask about your preferences for toppings like vegetables, garlic, and oil. This time, I asked for extra oil and garlic because I was surprised by the amount of vegetables last time. I had a few bean sprouts and then experienced the joy of Jiro-style ramen, where you mix everything up! The soup didn't stick to the noodles, but with the added oil and garlic, the soup became rich in flavor, allowing me to enjoy the taste while slurping the noodles. The chashu was a bit dry, just the way I like it. And it was big, with slices about 3mm thick, and there were two of them! It was satisfying to eat. The restaurant is located about a 7-8 minute walk from JR Okubo Station, in a residential area. It's not in a prime location, but it's understandable why customers gather here seeking this taste (and quantity!). Thank you for the meal!

This is an inspired shop with experience in Jiro-style ramen. Right after opening, there are 4 people ahead of me in line waiting to buy food tickets. I purchased a small pork bowl with 5 quail eggs from the ticket machine. I originally wanted a seasoned egg, but they were sold out due to bird flu concerns. Water is self-service from a water dispenser. The owner asks about free toppings before serving the ramen. The free toppings available are vegetables, garlic, and extra pork fat. When asked, I requested all toppings. The amount of vegetables is average for Jiro-style ramen. However, even though the ticket machine said 5 eggs, I only received 4. It's unclear if this was due to the current situation or a mistake. The soup is slightly lighter and less creamy than usual, with a hint of artificial flavoring. The toppings include bean sprouts, a small amount of cabbage, 3 slices of pork shoulder chashu, and 4 extra quail eggs. The noodles are homemade and slightly different from the usual Jiro-style thick noodles, being medium-thick and smooth.

Mini ramen with vegetables, garlic, quail egg, spicy sauce, and green onions. This time it's a Jiro-style ramen! It may be mini, but it's not your typical mini ramen. The homemade noodles are incredibly chewy, different from other Jiro-style ramen. The tender meat is fantastic, and the green onions are highly recommended.

Today was a day of solid work at the headquarters. I pushed through a mountain of tasks with determination until 1:00 PM, then headed to 223 for some energy replenishment. I arrived at 1:13 PM and found the place was full, so I bought a meal ticket and waited outside. After about 5 minutes, a seat opened up and I entered the restaurant. The table was a bit messy with leftover coffee and the scent of someone's cologne, but once cleaned up, it was fine. I hope they improve their operations though. After sitting down, it took about 25 minutes for my ramen to arrive. I ordered it with regular vegetables, garlic, and less fat. The portion of vegetables was not that large, so adding more could be a good idea. I quickly finished the vegetables and then mixed in the garlic to enhance the flavor. The noodles were thick and had a strong wheat taste, but not too chewy. The soup seemed richer than last time, with a clear and distinct flavor. The small-sized chashu slices were delicious, and we joked that they were the "apology meat" for the wait. Overall, the ramen was excellent, and I look forward to visiting again when in need of a boost.

After trying the "Soupless Tsukemen with Extra Noodles" at Nakano's ally, I became hooked on soupless ramen. It was delicious, but I was disappointed by the small amount of pork. Next time, I'll add an extra slice of pork. The garlic chives kimchi was just as I imagined. Adding an extra slice of pork costs the same. What would you choose?