I visited the long-established ramen shop "Hopeken Honpo Kichijoji Store" in Kichijoji, just a 2-3 minute walk from Kichijoji Station, on a holiday night in January 2023 after 10 pm. The cozy restaurant was about 70% full with customers. I ordered the "Chuka Soba" for ¥750 and added "Garlic (Small)" for ¥80 using the ticket machine. Unlike before, you can now choose the noodle size on the ticket machine. Since I had been drinking earlier in the day, I opted not to get the large portion. I sat at the counter alone and presented my ticket. After waiting for about 7-8 minutes, my meal was served. The Chuka Soba came with slices of pork, bean sprouts, seaweed, and garlic. I started by savoring the rich and creamy soup, followed by the perfectly chewy noodles. The delicious taste was just as I remembered. The soup, based on pork bone, had a refreshing aftertaste and a unique flavor that made me want to enjoy it every day. I enjoyed the thin slices of pork and bean sprouts, as well as the seaweed soaked in the soup. The garlic added a nice touch. About halfway through, I added the table chili to enhance the spiciness and aroma. Adding vinegar at the right moment allowed me to savor the blend of acidity and creaminess. The presence of the table chili was as appreciated as ever. While the portion size was smaller compared to before, it was just right for my slightly tipsy body. I enjoyed the soup and noodles until the last bite. The taste of Hopeken Honpo always feels like the most delicious in my life. I will surely come back when I get off at Kichijoji Station again.

⭐️Flowing from Kayashima, the finishing ramen. Three elderly men who resisted the Neapolitan and dry curry at Kayashima are eager to eat, while I ordered the chashu noodles with egg for 1100 yen. Everyone else is going for extra garlic like crazy. It doesn't seem good for the body, but this finishing ramen is also a kind of cultural experience in Japan (lol).

There used to be a "Hopeken" near Otsuka Station where I used to work. When I was a young working adult, the creamy soup that soaked into my exhausted body and soul after overtime work was irresistible, and the overwhelming tonkotsu smell was the best remedy. I always made sure to order the perfectly cooked hard-boiled egg with a solid yolk on top. Returning to Otsuka Station after decades, I found that everything had changed, the "Hopeken" was gone without a trace, and "Bongo" had become a hugely popular restaurant with long lines. Instead of indulging in nostalgia, I decided to take action. So, I headed to the "Hopeken Honpo" that I had discovered in Kichijoji. Although there are several "Hopeken" branches, Otsuka and Kichijoji are part of the same group, and my adrenaline didn't stop at the sight of the yellow curtain. It was almost lunchtime when I arrived, and I glanced inside the still bustling restaurant with some available seats. I ordered the chuka soba from the ticket machine. During my time in Otsuka, I would simply sit at the counter and my ramen with egg would arrive without me needing to say a word, once the staff recognized me. I realized that the default option did not include the egg, so I hurriedly added it to my order. The ramen arrived. This is it, this is what I remember. The "Hopeken" in front of the new National Stadium may be a bit different, but the chuka soba here is just like it was in Otsuka. I glanced around, but the staff from those days are no longer here... The overwhelming tonkotsu smell, the creamy soup, the perfectly cooked hard-boiled egg with a solid yolk, all reminiscent of the Showa era. I heard that humans remember tastes and smells as memories. How was the wavy, curly noodles that came with the crispy bean sprouts? The lingering summer heat still persisted, and as I walked around and slurped the hot ramen, the sweat wouldn't stop. But this was good. This was a part of Japan's summer tradition, a taste of youth. In a time when a bowl of ramen costs over 1,000 yen, being able to eat for under 1,000 yen and with the nostalgia factor, my overall evaluation is overly positive.

Chuka soba with free large serving and seasoned egg topping for around ¥850. I am a 45-year-old foot soldier with adult children. Oh, excuse me, I actually live in Neverland. I think the cost performance is great. The historic atmosphere of the restaurant is reassuring and the taste is delicious. The bean sprouts are gentle. I can't stop slurping the soup with the ladle. If you search for DJ Moyashi, you might find a foot soldier. Just a joke from a foot soldier. At 45, I can't become DJ Moyashi. A sinful bowl after drinking!

I have been coming to this ramen shop since it was located next to the bus rotary, before Kichijoji Station expanded over 35 years ago. My late father loved this place, so we used to visit as a family regularly, and I continue to come here even as an adult. The interior of the shop is always beautifully clean and well-maintained, not what you would expect from a ramen shop. The aroma of garlic stimulates the appetite, making it one of the best-tasting tonkotsu shoyu ramen in Tokyo. On this day, I topped my ramen with chashu, flavored egg, raw egg, and green onions (raw egg is a must). The delicious tonkotsu soup with a strong flavor paired perfectly with the unique curly noodles, creating the perfect lunch for me. For flavor variation, I always choose the "karaka" option. Adding too much can be spicy, but the fragrant scent of sesame oil-fried chili peppers further enhances the appetite. It was delicious after a long time. This ramen shop holds a special place in my heart, making me feel nostalgic and full of love. If you are curious, please give it a try!!!

Product: Found a new menu at the restaurant and decided to try it out. Ordered by using the ticket machine and finished off with a soup refill. Price: Slightly higher than other places, but the portion size justifies it. Atmosphere: The restaurant has a yellow and red sign that I've seen for a long time. The seating is limited to about 10 counter seats. Overall: The service has always been polite and kind. I'm glad I chose this restaurant from the many options available. The food was delicious and I will definitely visit again!

I visited the restaurant after 4 months. It was around 1:30 PM on a Sunday afternoon, and there was no line in front of the store. A staff member called out to me, saying "We have seats available," so I decided to go in. I had the garlic ramen today. The color of the garlic seemed lighter than before, but the flavor still packed a punch, and the soup was quite salty. I wanted to drink more of it, but my doctor warned me about high blood pressure, so I restrained myself. I also noticed that when I added pepper for extra flavor, the texture was more powdery compared to before, and the taste was slightly milder. With many new ramen shops opening in Kichijoji, competition is fierce, but I hope they continue to preserve the traditional taste while making gradual changes to keep up with the times. Thank you for the meal.

While drinking in Kichijoji, I was approached by a street tout after finishing my drink who recommended Hokken as a delicious ramen spot. I ordered the Chuka Soba (750 yen) from the ticket machine. I was told that the large size was free. I sat down and decided to add garlic (80 yen) to my order. Soon after, the ramen was served. The noodles were thin and delicious, perfectly coated in the soup! It was so tasty that I couldn't resist ordering an extra serving (100 yen). I will definitely come back here when I'm in Kichijoji again! Thank you for the meal.

At Hopeken, during the summer season, they offer tsukemen and maze-soba. Personally, I find their soup-less noodles more delicious than their ramen. The dipping sauce has a slightly sour taste with a hint of saltiness like soy sauce. Adding their chili and pepper gives it an extra kick. Dipping the noodles in this sauce makes for a great summer dish. It would also be good with a splash of vinegar.

From Shunkiya to Hopeken, there is a ticket machine at the entrance. I was surprised when I ordered one ramen for two people, but the staff said it was okay. We were given a separate plate when we sat at the counter. The kindness was appreciated. The ramen was 750 yen, and I added garlic for 80 yen. Many reviews recommended adding garlic, so I did. It was nice to see the cooking process in front of me. The ramen arrived hot with a flavorful tonkotsu broth and floating oil. Adding garlic was a great choice. The thin curly noodles were also good. The person next to me added special chili peppers, turning the soup bright red. I followed suit and enjoyed the extra punch of flavor. This powerful ramen was delicious. There is a Hopeken in Nogata nearby, but the taste here was completely different.

Located in Kichijoji, the ramen shop "Hopeken Honpo Kichijoji Store" exudes a Showa-era atmosphere, continuing from its establishment as a food stall in 1935. In the post-war era, the shop was once named "Homerunken" in homage to the activities of Tetsuji Kawakami and others. Later changing its name to Hopeken, it has been at its current location in Kichijoji since 1978, marking its 45th year this year. Known as a pioneer in tonkotsu shoyu ramen with back fat, it offers the perfect flavor to enjoy after a drink. After drinking at Harmonica Yokocho, head to Hopeken.

The genre is Hope-ken, a unique taste that can only be described as Hope-ken! I have reached a point where I accept all flavors and changes, and just by eating the ramen at this shop, I am satisfied, so it is not helpful as a reference. There seem to be many such shops in Suginami Ward... this is all due to the distorted affection of the locals. Not a shop to recommend to anyone. Thank you for the meal today!

Kichijoji, Hopeken Ramen. It's Saturday at 1 pm, but there is no line, maybe because it's hot. It's addictive, for some reason. The thin noodles and the soup are so good that you can't stop slurping it up. It's not just delicious, it's addictive. The Chuka Soba is 750 yen, and the Chashu Men is 1000 yen, with free extra noodles. There are many ramen shops around here, but in the end, it's always Hope, a place you can trust and rely on.

It's a routine to add special chili peppers on the table for flavor enhancement, but recently I've been starting with Aomori garlic as a topping, going through flavor enhancement with garlic, and finishing with special chili peppers for a new routine.

I arrived a little before 3 o'clock! I had already had lunch at a nearby restaurant with a fish simmered set meal and a beer, so I thought I would just get a regular size... but I couldn't resist the free upsize offer and ended up getting a large size. It was my first time in Kichijoji, so I visited three places including an ice cream shop (lol). The noodles and soup were simple, but as I ate more, it tasted really good! I was so full that I left some soup, but I promised myself that I would finish it next time!

Located a bit off the arcade in Kichijoji, I finally got to visit the quirky place called Hopeken that I had been curious about for a while. Today was my lucky day as there were quite a few empty seats, so I entered for the first time. I had heard rumors about it before, but had no information on what kind of ramen it was. I decided to go with the Ajitama Ramen. The rich soup and thin curly noodles were decently tasty, but it didn't quite live up to the hype...

June 20, 2023, 6:00 PM First visit. Established in 1935 by the founder Namba Nisaburo at the age of 19, Hopeken started as a food stall known as "Hinboken". Despite facing challenges such as closing due to post-war reconstruction plans, it has persevered to become the "originator of Tokyo-style pork bone soy sauce ramen". - Chuka Soba (Chinese noodles) 750 yen - Seasoned egg 100 yen - Garlic (small) 80 yen Total: 930 yen Purchased tickets at the entrance ticket machine! Only counter seating for about 10 people. Almost full. The building seems quite old, but the interior is bright, clean, and well-maintained. The aroma is amazing! The soup is delicious! Rich and flavorful with depth, not greasy, refreshing, and not heavy or overwhelming. The saltiness is mild. Very easy to eat! Nowadays, many ramen dishes are highly stimulating, but truly delicious ramen doesn't need to be overly intense. It's comforting. Adding garlic was a great choice! It goes so well! The springy thin noodles are coated in the soup. It has a nostalgic food stall vibe, making me reminisce about the Showa era. Plus, it seems they make their own noodles. No preservatives used! No ethanol or propylene glycol either, showing their dedication. The seasoned egg is perfectly boiled. I tried sprinkling some black pepper from the table or shaking the "special chili pepper" that caught my attention... It turns out the chili pepper is coated in something like chili oil? It dissolves well in the soup, completely changing the appearance and flavor, which is intriguing! And delicious! This is their original spice called "Togeka", made with oyster oil instead of chili oil. For the final flavor change, I added some vinegar from the table. This vinegar is incredibly tasty! Is it apple vinegar? I ended up adding a lot and gulping down the soup. Oh, it was so delicious. A tasty ramen that exudes history, thank you for the meal!

Hopeken's Tamago Chuka Soba after a long time - 850 yen. The pork bone soy sauce soup was quite light and thin. It seems like they change it based on the season. The noodles seemed thinner than before, which was a bit surprising. However, the "Togarashi" (red pepper) on the table paired perfectly with the dish.

I have been visiting Hopeken for about 30 years. When I visited again after a long time, I found that they were using food tickets now. In the past, we used to order through a mirror where we could see our faces. Times are changing. The ramen still had a sense of tradition from the past, but the noodles were curly and resembled instant noodles. With a sense of nostalgia, I hope this restaurant will continue to thrive for a long time.

"Hopken Main Store Kichijoji Branch: I wanted to try the Abura Soba with Ajitama Chuka Soba at Bubuka, but it was closed, so after 10 years I visited Hopeken again. It's been a while since I last visited Hopeken, but the soup seemed to have become very thin... It lacks punch. What happened, Hopeken!! Well, it's enough to eat on the way back from drinking!! #lunch #rameninstagrammer #rameninstagram #ramen #ramenstagram #kakei #kakeiramen #ramenclub #ramenlovers #Kichijoji #KichijojiGourmet #Hopeken"

After a long time, I went to drink in Kichijoji and decided to have a nostalgic late-night ramen at Hopeken. I ordered the Ajitama Ramen and eagerly waited. However, when it arrived and I took the first bite, I was shocked! What is this?! It was bland and tasteless, I was surprised. The noodles were also completely different. I wonder if all the stores have become like this now? It was a disappointing bowl.