Morirou21
Tokyo, Setagaya-ku, Dai-ta. This is a direct descendant of the famous ramen chain, Jiro, known for its strong and hearty flavors. It opened in 2000. The nearest station is Shin-Daita on the Keio Inokashira Line. It's about a 2-minute walk south from the station along the Circular Route 7. Direct descendants always taste great. Even I, who dislikes waiting in line, would line up for this place. I visited the Koenji branch, not an inspired one, for the first time in a while. I arrived 10 minutes before the 11:00 am opening on a weekday and was the 13th in line. There are 8 counter seats in front of the kitchen, spaced out for COVID-19 measures. They seem to cook in batches of 4, so I was probably in the 4th batch. I left the restaurant at 11:50 am, so I spent exactly an hour there. There were over 15 customers waiting behind me. There were 2 staff members, the owner and an assistant. The atmosphere inside is quite intense. There seem to be various rules, so I recommend doing some research before visiting.
Upon arrival, the assistant confirms the noodle portion. They mainly serve small ramen (large ramen is not available on the ticket machine, but I've seen it in some reviews, so maybe it's for regulars only? Or maybe it's an extra 100 yen?). You can request less noodles, half noodles, or light flavor at this point. Inside the restaurant, it's strictly no talking while eating. Masks must be worn except when eating. Using your phone is prohibited except for taking photos of the ramen. If you break the rules, the owner will warn you.
There were 2 people waiting inside the restaurant, one in front of the ticket machine and one at the northwest corner. The menu mainly consists of small ramen (2 slices of pork), small pork ramen (5 slices of pork), and small double pork ramen (8 slices of pork). Check the official Twitter for limited toppings or menu items. I purchased a small ramen (2 slices of pork) for 800 yen and secretly obtained ponzu for an additional 30 yen. I requested extra vegetables, garlic, and fat. It seems that asking for "more" or "extra" doesn't increase the portion much. "Spicy" is possible. A raw egg costs 50 yen. The limited toppings for the day were "bone-in pork" for 150 yen and "ponzu obtained from a secret route (ponzu for highballs)" for 30 yen, which I paid for in cash before sitting down. I observed the owner's movements as I sat right in front of him. He works efficiently and meticulously. The noodles were cooked to a soft texture and the broth was well-emulsified and flavorful. The overall portion was just right for me. I finished every drop of the broth. I raised my bowl, wiped the table, and said thank you. I'll definitely come back on the day they serve the soupless version.