I went to Suidobashi on Friday and wanted to go to Kagurazaka Ippudo, but I had a business meeting afterwards so I had to resist the garlic, which wouldn't make sense, so I went to another restaurant. The next day, I really wanted to eat ramen from a family restaurant, so I decided to visit Kotsuna-ya, which I hadn't been to in over 2 and a half years. It's a restaurant run by someone from Kagurazaka Ippudo, and now it's a hugely popular restaurant with long lines in Ikebukuro. I arrived at 11:49 and joined 8 people in line. While waiting, a female staff member came to prompt me to purchase a meal ticket, so I followed her inside and ordered ramen with the option for free rice refill. While waiting, another female staff member came over and I handed her my meal ticket, requesting firm noodles and a smaller portion. She asked me if I wanted it 50% or 70% full, so I chose 70%. This is a great operation. I remember the first time I came here, the female staff member was very attentive and left a strong impression, and today's staff member was also great at handling customers, such as refilling water. I entered at 11:58 and my meal arrived in 3 minutes. It's been a while since I've been to Kotsuna-ya, let's dig in. Wow! This is a strong family ramen. The soy sauce flavor is strong and delicious! To make up for the garlic I missed out on yesterday, I generously sprinkled the unlimited minced garlic (on top of the rice) on top of my rice and then poured a lot of mayonnaise on top. While my mouth was filled with the umami from slurping the noodles, I dug into the garlic mayonnaise rice! Ohh!! Eating carbs on top of carbs! Awesome!! I added more garlic and mayo, wrapped it in seaweed soaked in soup, and took a bite. Mind-blowing!! The best!! I had about 1/3 of the rice refilled along the way and finished the meal. I always held back on using garlic and mayo because of guilt, but today I added a large amount without worrying. No, the satisfaction level is completely different. Ah, it was delicious! Thank you for the meal!!

I visited a popular house-made ramen shop near Ikebukuro West Exit for the first time! I was always curious because there is always a line, but luckily it was not crowded this time. I ordered it with strong flavor and firm noodles. It was delicious! I would love to visit again if I have the chance.

【Kido Family Direct Line, Kogun Family】 ・ Nori Ramen ¥1,000 ・ Rice ¥150 After finishing work at Ikebukuro Nishiguchi, I decided to take a stroll around Ikebukuro and thought about eating before heading home. I had always wanted to go to Kogun Family but never had the chance to. My workplace moved from Ikebukuro to Minato Mirai before Kogun Family opened, so I rarely had the opportunity to go to Ikebukuro, and I missed the chance to visit. Once when I came to Ikebukuro to play during the day, I passed by Kogun Family and saw a ridiculously long line, so I gave up. This time, my workplace returned to Ikebukuro, so I finally fulfilled my wish to visit Kogun Family!! I don't usually eat tonkotsu ramen, so when asked about my taste preferences, I ordered everything as normal. I lived in Yokohama for 4-5 years, but I only ate a few bowls of tonkotsu ramen, so I'm not used to it. The soup has a sharp soy sauce aroma rather than tonkotsu. The soup is on the rich side, so rice is a must. The straight noodles are thick. The char siu has a delicious aroma that seems to be seared. I ended up eating a lot of rice as a side dish for the ramen. I rolled the nori soaked in soup around the rice. Whenever I go to a tonkotsu ramen shop, I always want to do this! I'm full, but the ramen's flavor is strong, so I can't help but crave white rice. It's also great that rice refills are free! I thoroughly enjoyed the tonkotsu ramen after a long time. #KogunFamily #KidoFamilyDirectLineKogunFamily #IkebukuroNishiguchiGourmet #TonkotsuRamen #Tonkotsu #FreeRiceRefills #FreeRiceRefills #IfThereIsNoriYouWillOrderIt #NoriTopping #NoriToppingEssential #PersonalGourmetMemoirs #FoodDiary ===========

Cost performance: 85 points, Service: 84 points, Cleanliness: 79 points. When told to buy a meal ticket with cash at the ticket machine, buy the ticket first and then enter based on the slots for each group. Overall rating: 84 points. (All ratings out of 100 points) Overall satisfaction: Waited in line on a weekend at 5:30 pm, was 10th in line and got in right away. The restaurant was hot and sweaty, but they provided water and the service was good. The all-you-can-eat rice was a great deal, and the ramen was lighter in flavor compared to other Yokohama-style ramen places, making it easier to eat. I ordered ramen for ¥880 with normal noodles, light flavor, and less oil. The appearance included spinach, smoked chashu, and 3 sheets of seaweed. It was light and easy to eat, but next time I might go for a normal flavor. I also had rice for ¥150, which was all-you-can-eat and delicious. The restaurant is located a 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro North Exit, behind McDonald's. Power outlets: Yes, Wi-Fi: No. I would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal. #japan #foodporn #tabelog #foodie #foodwalk #tokyo #TokyoGourmet #Top100Restaurants #foodgram #restaurantlover #foodwalk #TokyoLunch #TokyoRestaurant

I went to a ramen shop in Ikebukuro because it had a rating of 3.5 or higher on Tabelog. I ordered a medium-sized bowl and the soup was delicious with a rich flavor. However, I was disappointed with the attitude of the staff. If they were a bit more polite, I think it would be an even better place. Although the food was good, I probably won't be coming back in the future.

I arrived at the store right at 17:30 on Saturday when it opened! There were about 10 people lined up before opening. I ordered the special ramen from Kousuna-ke with additional seaweed and green onion toppings! I like my noodles firm and everything else normal. First, I topped my rice with unlimited garlic and mayonnaise available in the restaurant. For my second bowl, I poured soup and green onion chashu over the rice! The soup is slightly on the stronger side even when ordered normal, but it goes really well with the rice! Among the different styles of ramen, this one is at the top of my list of favorites! The chashu is also very delicious, so I wanted to order extra, but I didn't have room in my stomach, so I'll try it next time! The staff are all friendly and wonderful, but I felt they were a bit too energetic, haha. For those who love garlic and are hungry, I highly recommend ordering rice and trying the unlimited garlic and mayonnaise when you visit the restaurant!

Today's work took me to Shin-Tokorozawa! I've never been there before, haha. There aren't many interesting shops in Shin-Tokorozawa, so I decided to go to "Kosuke Family" for lunch. I ordered their special Kosuke ramen for ¥1,250. The interior of the restaurant was hot, with the entrance door left open (I wish it was a bit cooler, haha). Being a branch of the famous Kido family, I had high expectations. The soup had a mix of rich tonkotsu flavor and sharp soy sauce taste. It was good, but felt a bit lacking in depth. The noodles and toppings were decent, but overall, the impact of the soup was not as strong as I had hoped. With the recent boom in family ramen shops, there are just too many good places to choose from!

I arrived at the restaurant just before 6 pm without having to wait in line. I was considering getting the women's set, but ended up ordering ramen with cabbage and a boiled egg topping, with regular noodles, regular soup, and a smaller portion. Most of the customers were men, and they all added rice for an extra 100 yen. The place seemed popular, so I had high expectations. Upon tasting the soup, my first impression was that I didn't realize there was this kind of style in ramen. It was a bit different from the house ramen I've had before, with a noticeable saltiness. I understood why everyone added rice - the soup definitely goes well with it. But the soup also paired nicely with the cabbage, which was delicious. The soup didn't lose its flavor even with the extra cabbage. The default toppings included three sheets of seaweed and plenty of spinach. The chashu was tender and tasty. The restaurant was a bit warm for this season, so I'd like to go back when it cools down.

When it comes to Ikebukuro's ramen, this place stands out. Personally, I would even consider it the top family ramen shop in Tokyo. The owner learned from the famous Kando family but also received guidance from the Owari family, resulting in a taste that leans towards the direct lineage. I arrived on Saturday at 13:20 and there were 4 people waiting outside, but I was able to enter in about 5 minutes. Today, I ordered the Koshin Special Ramen for ¥1,250 and a side of rice for ¥150. Let's dig in. Delicious! The rich tonkotsu soup with a sharp, salty soy sauce flavor is reminiscent of the direct lineage. It's salty, but the strong and satisfying taste makes it enjoyable. The noodles are from the Owari family - medium-thick and cut short, with a chewy texture that pairs well with the soup. The chashu is a hanging grilled thigh, also direct lineage-like. It's crispy, juicy, and has a tender texture that is just right. The special ramen comes with Kujyo green onions as toppings, which add a wonderful accent. The crunchy texture and the refreshing taste of the green onions balance out the rich and salty soup. Come to think of it, this might be the first time I've seen Kujyo green onions as a topping for family ramen, but it might be a must-have. On the table, there are the usual unlimited garlic and chopped ginger toppings from the Owari family. If you order rice, the customization options are endless. I had a fun and delicious meal. As expected, Koshin-ya is delicious! Personally, I think it's the top family ramen shop in Tokyo! Thank you for the meal.

I went to Ikebukuro for work. I had a late lunch around 2:30 pm and was able to get in without waiting in line. The recommendation from the president of our client company was on my list to try. After some deliberation, I ordered the medium-sized Chashu Ramen. It had a typical rich flavor of a house-made ramen. The Chashu had a nice smoky aroma and was thick, but a bit tough to chew. The noodles were chewy and just to my liking. I enjoyed it slowly. Thank you for the meal. I will definitely come back again!

It was just past 6 pm on a regular day. The restaurant was about 70% full. I entered without any trouble. The ticket machine was an older type that didn't accept 10,000 yen bills. I ordered ramen for 880 yen and rice for 150 yen. When I handed over the ticket, they asked about my preferences, so I requested "firm noodles," "light flavor," and "less oil." There were plenty of free condiments on the table: pepper, vinegar, unlimited garlic, grated garlic, chopped ginger, doubanjiang, and mayonnaise. The rice arrived first. I saw the customer next to me putting unlimited garlic and mayo on their rice and started doing the same. It was delicious. Then the ramen arrived, and there was a strong animal smell. But I didn't mind it. The ramen came with large seaweed sheets, big slices of chashu, and plenty of spinach compared to other places. The chashu was tough and hard to chew, but it had a good flavor. The soup was incredibly rich even though I asked for a light flavor. I wonder what it would be like if I asked for a stronger flavor. The noodles were short and rough. They were not chewy. The restaurant had a messy atmosphere, maybe due to aging, lacking cleanliness. The kitchen staff were energetic, polite, and kind. I especially liked the staff in charge of the dining area, who were efficient and attentive, even to customers waiting outside. I drank a lot of water because the food was salty.

Taste: 3.6 Cleanliness: 3.0 Service: 3.0 Cost performance: 3.0 Preference: 3.6 Ramen (Regular): 880 yen This is a ramen from a family-owned shop. It has a delicious salty taste. The noodles are average firmness, the broth is average richness, and the oil level is also average. Even with the broth at an average level, it still tastes delicious. The spinach and seaweed do a great job in the dish. The char siu is fragrant and tasty. The restaurant interior is very hot. I enjoyed it as I was craving something salty. Next time, I might challenge the all-you-can-eat rice for 150 yen.

Recently, I've been eating a lot of tsukemen, so it's been a while since I had a regular portion of ramen with 170g of noodles. I ordered everything as normal. First of all, the seasoning was extremely salty! I had read other reviews mentioning that the flavor was strong, but even for me, it was too salty. I like strong flavors, but personally, it was too salty for me. I usually add spinach toppings to my ramen because the broth is strong, and this time it was a perfect match. The topping of pork was one slice. The meat was quite firm and slightly tender. I prefer meat that is easier to chew. The noodles were medium-thick and round, which paired well with the soup. Although the 170g portion felt slightly small, the richness of the soup made it seem like a sufficient amount. The option for unlimited rice was offered to me as soon as I sat down, so I immediately indulged in the sinful pleasure of endless garlic, chopped ginger, and mayonnaise on the table. It was delicious, but all the flavors were quite strong, so be careful not to overdo it! If it becomes too intense, you can adjust with mayonnaise. Unfortunately, the chopstick holder had grease on it, which was a bit disappointing. It left my hands feeling oily right before I started eating, which was not a pleasant way to begin the meal.

Char siu ramen with a half-boiled egg and rice. The char siu is incredibly delicious. It has been smoked to remove excess fat, leaving only the rich and flavorful parts, making it an outstanding char siu. The noodles are also delicious. I'm not sure about the details, but it's incredibly tasty. The half-boiled egg is, needless to say, delicious. Every customer who ordered it seemed to be smiling with satisfaction. The soup could be a bit richer for my taste, but it's just so delicious. There's nothing to complain about. Thank you! The staff are amazing!

Emperor's Family @ Ikebukuro Special Ramen 1250yen Rice 150yen Arrived before 8pm on weekdays, waited for 6 people. Bowl arrived 20 minutes later. The soup is strong soy sauce flavor, not too thick with pork bone, and the soup is light. The oil is also moderate by default. The noodles are medium thickness and slightly flat. I ordered them firm, but they were a bit soft. For the special, there are 4 slices of chashu, Kujou negi and nori, and an extra seasoned egg. The chashu is probably made from pork thigh, smoked and the meat is tender and delicious. The seasoned egg lacks flavor and is a bit firm. There are unlimited garlic, ginger, and mayonnaise on the table. It's a high point.

I visited Kousuna-ke, a popular ramen restaurant in Ikebukuro, for a solo dinner. The location is just a 1-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station. I arrived around 7:00 PM and there were already two groups of two waiting outside. Since the turnover is fast at this restaurant, I decided to buy my meal ticket first and join the line. This time, I ordered the Kousuna Special Ramen for 1,250 yen and the staff meal rice for 300 yen, totaling 1,550 yen. I asked for the noodles to be normal in firmness, and the oil and flavor to be regular. I was seated at the counter where there are only 12 seats available. On the table, there were unlimited garlic, grated garlic, chopped ginger, mayonnaise, doubanjiang, pepper, kelp vinegar, chopsticks, spoons, and a box of tissues. After sitting down, my food arrived in about 3 minutes. The special ramen came with chashu, seaweed, Kujou green onions, spinach, and a half-boiled egg. Personally, I love the chashu at Kousuna-ke. The quality of the soup and noodles was excellent, and it was a very luxurious and satisfying dish. The staff meal rice had a generous amount of chopped chashu and Kujou green onions on top. This was my second visit, and I must say that the chashu at Kousuna-ke is so delicious that I would recommend the staff meal rice over the unlimited rice for 150 yen! I skipped the garlic this time because I had plans after eating, but I indulged in a lot of chopped ginger and mayonnaise on top, making it a deliciously indulgent meal! Despite being a super popular restaurant, the convenient location and fast turnover make it very user-friendly. If you're a fan of tonkotsu ramen and mayo, be sure to visit Kousuna-ke at least once!

During the Bon holiday, I visited Kaizuna-ya near the west exit of Ikebukuro for the first time. I arrived around 12 o'clock and lined up before being prompted by the staff to buy meal tickets in advance. I ordered the premium seaweed ramen with unlimited rice. The ramen had a stronger flavor compared to other ramen styles, with a thick and salty broth that left a soy sauce aftertaste. The medium-thick noodles were chewy and firm, making them delicious. The seaweed and spinach toppings were recommended, and the rice was a great addition. The table had unlimited garlic, ginger, mayonnaise, and more to enjoy with the rice wrapped in seaweed. The rice was 150 yen, but many people around me had multiple servings. Just be aware that the inside of the restaurant can get very hot, especially during the summer daytime. It would be nice if they could improve the cooling system. The staff was energetic, but better environmental facilities would be appreciated. Thank you for the meal!

Unique family-owned ramen shop. Ordered ramen (880 yen) and rice (150 yen) for a total of 1030 yen. Arrived at 20:20, served at 20:30. Ordered firm noodles and rich flavor. The taste was unusual and not something I've had before. It might be better to go for a lighter flavor next time. The rice, although priced at 150 yen, is all-you-can-eat. If you follow them on Twitter, the rice becomes chashu rice. I would definitely go back again.