I had been interested in this place for a while. It was far away, so I couldn't make it there until now. The bright yellow exterior makes it easy to spot. I arrived at just the right time when the line was also manageable. The interior of the restaurant is spacious, giving off a grand vibe. I ordered 3 slices of vegetable chashu from the ticket machine, chose a lighter flavor, and sat at the counter. There were various condiments on the table, including garlic chips, which was a nice touch. A young cook in a traditional ramen look was working in the kitchen right in front of me. In about 5 minutes, my bowl of ramen was served. Wow, the amount of vegetables is impressive. The smoky chashu slices are thick and substantial. I took a sip of the soup – delicious. The broth had a perfect balance of flavor and thickness. The vegetables were fresh and crunchy, and the noodles were just right. And the chashu – so thick and perfectly smoked. The quality is outstanding, especially considering the price. The value for money is incredible. I added garlic chips, unlimited garlic, and garlic paste, and finished every last bit. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

After a long time dining out on the Yamanote Line, I arrived at Ueno Station South Exit and walked about 5 minutes to the restaurant. I arrived at 12:45 and there was no wait (all seats at the counter were taken). I ordered a regular ramen for ¥850 and a half serving of rice for ¥100. I requested the noodles to be cooked firm, normal amount of soup, and extra noodles. The ramen was served with a loud call and the soup was thick and had a rich flavor. The noodles were medium thickness and the smoked chashu had a good taste without any unpleasant smell. In the middle of the meal, I added vinegar and unlimited garlic, which added a nice kick to the dish. Unlike traditional ramen, the flavor was on the stronger side. The variety of condiments on the table allowed for easy customization of the taste. After finishing the meal, I was satisfied and said thank you for the delicious meal!

I revisited IEKEI TOKYO @ Akihabara, a direct descendant of the traditional king's family line. It's more like Okachimachi than Akihabara, with the nearest station being Suehirocho on the Ginza Line. At 0:30 on a Saturday night, there was already a line of 10 or more people waiting outside. Surprising for such a late hour! Furthermore... there were over 10 customers ahead of me! Impressive, right? There was a price increase notice next to the ticket machine. Starting from October 1, 2023, the rice and toppings will be more expensive due to rising costs. Well, it can't be helped. I checked the ticket machine options. The Abura Soba was sold out, as usual. It's always sold out, isn't it? I wonder if they have it during the day? When I visited the IEKEI TOKYO @ Kashiwa branch the other day, they had it even late at night. I'd like to try it once. They were selling the unlimited garlic takeout again! But I just bought some from the Kashiwa branch recently, so I'll pass this time. Last time, when I ordered the light flavor, it was really light, so this time I decided to go for the regular flavor after a long time. Ramen ¥850, firm, regular, extra, Nori (seaweed) ¥100, Large rice ¥100. When I handed over my ticket, they asked if I wanted a large rice portion, so I said yes. It seems like everyone goes for the large portion. If not, I would have been fine with half a portion. While waiting, I observed the surroundings. There were 5 staff members working. The man with white hair and a pompadour was at the pot, and an Asian foreigner was cooking the noodles. The rice came out first. I topped it with the unlimited garlic, mayonnaise, and coarsely ground red pepper and waited for the ramen to arrive. And here it is! The noodles were medium thick and not as firm as I ordered. The noodles themselves were delicious. It seems like the Asian foreigner making the noodles was slow, as he was making several bowls and mine was one of the last, so maybe that's why. The soup was rich and wonderful. The regular flavor had a slightly higher salt content. As the temperature cooled down in the middle, I felt even more saltiness. Despite the richness of the soup, the salty taste made it feel like a soy sauce-based soup. It's dangerously salty. It's hard to enjoy my favorite soy sauce-pickled unlimited garlic with this... But I still want to replenish my garlic... I know! In times like this, it's the normal garlic that comes to the rescue! I added minced green garlic, chopped garlic, and fried garlic. It's delicious, but... it can't beat the unlimited garlic. With the regular flavor, the others who ordered a stronger flavor must be in trouble. The chashu was tender and moist after a long time. This is delicious! I think it would be even better if it were sliced a little thinner. Am I the only one who thinks so, especially those who have visited other IEKEI TOKYO branches? Rolling the rice with seaweed is a surefire hit! The seaweed here is delicious. It's firm. In the latter half, the soup was too salty to drink... I tried to neutralize it by adding chopped ginger, but it didn't help at all. Overall, the regular flavor was tough to handle. Still, I give it a rating of 4.3 stars. My established favorite order is as follows: Ramen, firm, light, extra, and if I wanted to make it stronger, I would add unlimited garlic. This is it. There were still a lot of requests for a stronger flavor. Everyone's taste buds seem to be destroyed. Thank you for the meal. 2023.09

Shop Name: IEKEI TOKYO, a direct descendant of the Wangdao family Access: 3 minutes on foot from Suehirocho Station, 8 minutes on foot from JR Okachimachi Station Time: Around 3:30 PM Order: Ramen with spinach topping, Chashu rice Price: 1,100 yen Crowdedness: About 30 minutes Recommendation: 85 points out of 100

I always come here when I'm unsure about late-night meals! They are open late and the food is delicious, so I highly recommend it!! There is always a line though... Even on this rainy night at 11 PM, there were fewer people than usual but still a line. You can choose the firmness of the noodles. I always go with the regular option!

Even though it was midnight, there was a long line of people waiting to eat. Despite the late hour, I enjoyed a bowl of ramen topped with delicious chashu. The chashu that came with the ramen was thickly sliced and had a smoky flavor, typical of a home-style ramen. You could also order additional chashu for only 50 yen per slice, which was a great deal considering the size of the slices. The soup was salty and rich, a classic and satisfying taste. I also had some rice, and left the restaurant feeling full and satisfied.

After casually drinking at Kadokura, I was drawn to visit this place (lol). It was around 9 pm on the first day of the long weekend, so I was prepared for a long line, but I was able to be seated in about 40 minutes. This day, it was 100% male, or so I thought, but on my way out, a Western man and a Japanese woman couple came in. I'm really curious how foreigners evaluate this ramen! I was feeling hungry after drinking, so I ordered ramen (firm noodles, extra noodles) and half a chashu topping. Despite ordering extra noodles, the amount of chicken oil felt normal, but it turned out to be just right for my condition. When you taste it again, both the soup and the chashu, even the garlic soy sauce pickled on the table, are quite salty. When this saltiness and the rich soup made from a lot of chicken bones, the smoky flavor of the chashu, and the homemade noodles come together, strangely enough, the first bite becomes a moment of bliss. It's not something I can eat frequently, but it was a feast. Thank you for the meal.

・Char siu ramen (5 slices) for 1,150 yen ・Extra toppings: seaweed x2 for 100 yen each ・Vegetables (komatsuna + spinach) for 100 yen ・Extra rice for 100 yen (large portion service) ・(Takeout) Unlimited garlic for 1,000 yen Enjoying my meal Today, I endured only thinking about eating here It was delicious today too Thank you for the meal ----- Friday, light rain Arrived at 19:29 Joined the line outside, with two people ahead Seated at 19:45 Received my ramen at 20:04 Actually, last time I made a mistake with the ticket button and got extra vegetables Today, I calmly ordered The seats right in front of the soup are the best seats

I hurriedly parked my car and got caught up in a group of excited customers at the dive-in ramen shop, but it was no problem. They served me in just 10 minutes. I like my ramen pretty standard, so I asked for it piping hot! The hotter, the better! The noodles were chewy and the seaweed was nice and dark. There was mayo available too, and I could eat rice with it all day long. The chashu was a bit tough, but it was fine when I put it on top of the rice. The ramen stayed hot until the very end. This place is worth waiting in line for. Of course, when I left, there were more than 10 people waiting outside!

The family tree of the restaurant is too extensive to keep up with, but I have heard of the name of the Oudo family. While the Oudo family itself has gone through some twists and turns and is not directly related, it seems to have the same family-like atmosphere as the direct line. I arrived at the restaurant just before opening on a Saturday in September and found a line of about 30 people. It was a bit surprising for a weekend. I waited for about 40 minutes, purchased a meal ticket, and received my ramen in about 10 minutes. True to its family style, there was a wide variety of toppings available. I ordered seaweed, seasoned egg, green onions, and a slice of pork with half a serving of rice. As it was my first visit, I ordered everything in regular size. The ramen I received was a rich soy pork bone broth with a strong animal-based punch, served with yellowish medium-thin noodles (seems to be homemade rather than from Sakai Seimen) and a variety of colorful toppings that encapsulated the charm of the family style. The table had a wide range of seasonings and condiments, and of course, rice was a must. I definitely want to go back here again.

Having a few drinks at Ameyoko, snacking on yakitori and simmered offal, then heading to this place - it's the perfect pattern for a drinker, haha. It was a Saturday around 4 pm, no line outside so I casually grabbed an iced coffee at a nearby convenience store before returning, only to find 6 more people waiting outside. It's a popular spot, timing is crucial! There are benches inside for waiting, so be aware! I wanted to order a lot of the smoky char siu, but they were sold out of char siu ramen and extra char siu (50 yen per slice) because I arrived late. But that's okay! The default char siu was quite large, with a meaty texture and satisfying to eat. The salty and delicious soup was amazing. The chopped garlic marinated in soy sauce was also delicious. It had a rich flavor that made me want to put it on rice. Next time, I want to go on an empty stomach and try the rice too.

It had been a while since I visited this classic ramen shop. I arrived a little after 2:00 PM and there were more than 10 people waiting ahead of me. The turnover rate seemed good, so the wait wasn't too long. I hesitated for a moment on whether to go for a lighter broth, but ended up ordering with the usual options - normal, firm, extra noodles, plus extra pork belly. This time, the broth was milder than usual, but still delicious. The soup was also lighter in flavor. The pork belly was tasty as always! Of course, I had half rice with unlimited garlic and mayonnaise. Thank you for the meal.

It was delicious. There were various condiments on the counter, but it was hard to tell what they were because there was no explanation. The regular customers were all eating rice with brown garlic and mayonnaise on top. Ramen and white rice are both delicious.

It's after 3:30 in the afternoon. I remembered that I wanted to eat ramen on my way to a certain ramen shop in Ueno. Since it was around this time, I thought it might not be crowded, so I decided to come here instead. As expected, there was no line outside and only about 6 or 7 customers inside. I ordered the ramen set, told the waitress my preferences, got some water, and sat down. There were the usual fun table condiments. Today, I had pepper, fried garlic, and grated chili with unlimited garlic rice. The ramen itself is not too strong in flavor, so it allows for many different combinations. I thought it would be quiet, but after I entered, there was a line forming inside, so it seems like around 3:00 to 4:00 is a good time to visit.

A few times a year, the company's top management entertains important clients at a high-end restaurant in Yushima. The dishes served are light and similar to vegetarian cuisine, which leaves me feeling unsatisfied as I usually prefer richer flavors. I feel like asking for soy sauce to add more taste. I also feel hesitant to ask if I can take photos for my food blog. Meanwhile, the executives drink sake quietly, almost like Minami Tanaka drinks 2 liters of water every day. Despite feeling hungry, I cannot eat much as my boss insists he's too full to eat ramen. So, I decide to visit the restaurant alone on Wednesday at 9:30 PM, surprised to find empty seats, unlike the usual long wait. The food is undeniably delicious, but I personally prefer the main branch in Moriya and the classic Ishii Ramen I had last Sunday. However, whenever I'm drinking in Ueno and get drunk, I always end up here, so that must mean something. Overall, I am very satisfied with my meal. Thank you. I think the Ramen Vinegar and Fried Garlic would have matched better with the Ishii Ramen. Oh, I forgot to order rice.

Summary: The restaurant is not too crowded until around 6 pm on weekdays. The vegetable ramen does not come with seaweed and spinach by default. I visited the Tokyo branch for the first time on a Tuesday evening. The restaurant was not full, but the counter seats were about 70% occupied. The ticket machine is similar to the one at the New Toride branch. I ordered the vegetable chashu ramen with extra noodles. The soup was balanced and not soy sauce-heavy. The broth was relatively light with a good amount of chicken fat. The chashu had a satisfying texture but lacked a strong smoky flavor. The noodles were slightly firmer and chewier compared to other shops. Adding minced ginger at the end was a nice touch. Overall, I enjoyed the authentic house-style ramen, but it fell slightly short of my high expectations on this particular visit.

I finally made it to the popular restaurant after giving up on getting off midway multiple times. It was Tuesday night at 11:30. There were 5 people waiting outside and 4 people waiting inside. It was my first visit. Oh wow, it's crowded. My last train is... If I order quickly, maybe I can make it. I'll wait a bit. The customers are mostly young, well, it's late at night and in the entertainment district. I didn't order it, but they brought me a draft beer for 250 yen, nice gesture. Except for the experienced older man handling the soup and boiling noodles in the back, everyone else seems to be foreigners. They're all working hard. After waiting for about 15 minutes, I finally got a seat. The serving staff seemed relaxed and efficient, working late into the night. The ramen arrived quickly, looking delicious. The noodles were firm, the flavor was mild, and the oil was light. But it was rich and tasty. The portion of noodles was twice as much as the main store I visited last time, what's up with that? But that's also good. Oh, it's good. The hot steamed rice was also delicious, is it a speciality here? I added some condiments from the table and enjoyed the meal. "Thank you for the meal!!" ... Can't hear me? "Thank you for the meal!!!" ... "Thank you for the meal!!!" ... "......" They didn't even look at me. Maybe they were busy with plating the dishes. I understand they're busy, but... I do and I don't. A restaurant is about people and interactions. Yeah, it's kind of frustrating.

- Vegetable Char Siu Ramen (5 slices) for 1,200 yen - Extra: Yawame pork belly for 50 yen, seaweed for 100 yen - Additional: Flavor egg for 100 yen x 3 - Extra large rice for 100 yen (complimentary) I'm about to dig in, feeling really hungry. It was delicious today too, thank you for the meal. When vegetables are added, it becomes a whole different dish that suits me perfectly. Sunday, cloudy weather, arrived at 10:30. There were 13 customers ahead of me. I got seated at 11:12 and received my bowl at 11:25. This place is great for people-watching, even while waiting at the table. It's a feast for the eyes, so satisfying. I also got the newly released frozen fried rice the day before yesterday.

On September 3, 2023 (Sunday), I arrived at the restaurant at 10:25 am (opening time 11 am). I thought I could easily find a seat outside, but I was wrong. There were already 10 people in line. The line was long, but I managed to secure a spot. The counter has 17 seats, so I was guaranteed a seat for the first round. I waited patiently while using my phone. The shaded area next to the restaurant was nice. When the restaurant opened, there were about 25 people behind me. I bought my ramen ticket for 850 yen and rice ticket for 100 yen from the machine. I was asked about my ramen preferences and rice portion. I chose firm noodles, regular soup, and a normal amount of rice. I sat at counter seat 13 and waited for my order. The staff were giving out free frozen fried rice as a gift. My rice arrived at 12:28 pm and my ramen at 12:29 pm. I started eating and it was delicious. The rice with garlic and mayonnaise was amazing. The chashu was tender and flavorful. I enjoyed my meal and thanked the staff for a wonderful experience.

I revisited IEKEI TOKYO in Akihabara, a direct descendant of the traditional school. It was past midnight, so there was no line, which was a relief since there is usually always a line. I checked the ticket machine and found the takeout unlimited garlic... and it was the last one! I was running out of stock at home, so it was a lifesaver! I bought it. - Takeout Unlimited Garlic: ¥1000 - Ramen: ¥850 (firm noodles, light flavor, extra noodles) - Seaweed: ¥100 - Half Rice: ¥60 While waiting, I checked out the kitchen. There were 4 staff members working. The head chef with white hair was still there, working hard. The half rice came out first. I like to top my half rice with unlimited garlic, mayo, and coarse ground chili. Today, I decided to add minced ginger as well! Then the ramen arrived. The soup was rich and flavorful. The light flavor was really light today, so I added more garlic and soy sauce flavor with the strong garlic. Two servings of unlimited garlic! It was delicious! If I had missed the timing to add the unlimited garlic, I might have ordered the regular flavor instead of the light one. But in the past at this restaurant, even the regular flavor was too salty to eat. I remember at the Kashiwa branch, I couldn't finish it because it was too salty. The noodles were medium thickness and perfect when ordered firm. They were delicious. The char siu was still too firm as usual. It would be easier to eat if it were a bit softer or cut thinner. This is the only disappointing point. Maybe because it's smoked, it becomes hard? I don't think so. I had smoked-free char siu at another restaurant in the same style recently, and it was really delicious. I rolled the rice with seaweed and enjoyed it. Delicious. It was past midnight, but I finished everything. Overall, today's meal was almost perfect. Rating: ★4.5 The only downside is the firmness of the char siu. But it was surprising that the char siu ramen was still ordered frequently with this quality. Maybe everyone has strong jaws? I bought the takeout unlimited garlic, so I'll probably revisit when my stock at home runs out. Thank you for the meal.

I feel like I eat home-style ramen almost every day. Once again, I went to the classic restaurant. It was quite empty at 6 pm, but today there was a line. I waited for about 20 minutes outside and 10 minutes inside before being seated. I didn't even have to say it, but I like my noodles firm, the soup rich, and with extra soup. Now, time to dig in! The soup was as flavorful as ever. The noodles had a nice wheat aroma. The chashu was thickly sliced by hand. It was an impeccable home-style ramen dish with nothing to complain about.