Ippudo Ebisu

Top 10 ramen in Tokyo! Not all Ippudos were created equal. I’ve been to at least 6 different Ips and the Ebisu one is tops!
Karakamen, 8-​kara, harigane is the order! Be sure to get a side of gyoza too.

So good omg… Come here!

Une superbe adresse découverte grâce à l’avis de Yoann G. !
Comme partout le service est impeccable et le lieu est très sympa et a un petit côté authentique. Le thé froid servi à l’arrivée est très bon et les ramens sont parfaits ! Tout a du goût (un peu salé parfois) et tout est frais. Nous avons pris les ramens «firm» et c’était top ! L’oeuf (en supplément pour certains plats) est cuit à perfection et se marie bien avec la soupe. Les gyozas sont très bons et né sont pas gras du tout.
Une adresse à tester !

A lot of noodles and toppings at this place. They have special bowls, which are their classic flavors, but with extra toppings for only about 1000 yen. Or you can get the classic bowls and pay to add which ever toppings you want. After toppings, you’ll be asked how you want your noodles, soft to firm.
I got the classic bowl with soft noodles and paid for an egg. I liked the broth but found there wasn’t much of a garlic flavor until I got to the bottom of the bowl!
Other than that, it was pretty good!

Very delicious ramen! Loved all the little condiments (spicy bean sprouts, ginger, spicy pickled green veggie). So flavorful, esp the broth. Also really liked the pork with fish roe over rice. Gyoza good too but mini-​sized! Four stars because the noodles are quite thin and I prefer the thicker ones. But I would definitely come back.

So, so, so good. This is the best ramen you will ever eat during your stay here on Planet Earth. I don’t even remember what type of ramen we ordered, I think I blacked out from pleasure as soon as the first spoonful of broth hit my tongue.

I’ve tried Ippudo in NYC and LON, so I will now check off JP (although there are tons of chains here in Japan, and unfortunately I didn’t have time to go to all of them).
The Ippudo here felt much more like a local restaurant. If I hadn’t known about Ippudo already I would have never guessed that this place was actually part of a larger chain. It felt very homey indeed.
Of course I got the Akamaru modern ramen. It is a lot cheaper here than overseas, probably by about half!
The bowl of ramen was very good although I must say, in the US and LON the spicy sauce is actually more like a paste whereas here, it was definitely a lot more runny. I was a bit confused but the broth was still good anyway. The noodles are a lot thinner than I usually appreciate for ramen but overall I still thought it was a good bowl of ramen, especially since it was only like 800 yen or so!

How many times have i heard about ippudo in NYC and really… really wanted to go but sadly never made it? Finally I have my chance… only better. Conveniently on my I have no time to plan anything trip tokyo I flip through some Unilocal recommendations and thought about Ippudo and looked them up. Low and behold… of course… the original location is from here. This couldn’t make me happier. I found the nearest location in Ebisu and get myself in for a treat.
I truly love ramen… even in the days when I had only the packaged ones. I know. But after these real delicacy… one just could never go back. Just an explosion of flavor in this broth. On this day in Particular I was hungry from all the walking so it was perfect.
We both ordered the set in the red bowl. Akamaru ramen I believe. It was delicious. The egg in whole, was soft boiled to perfection. Mind you this broth is so rich and just perfect but you will be doing some squats and lundges walking afterwards. All worth it. The dumpling is light, not too over bready, and really good too. The ramen I could get in the states is just always missing something… but this. I could eat this to the last bite. I want to go back here everyday that I’m in tokyo… but in the land of delicious ramen and udon. and many other things… I just have to give the other spots a fair chance too.
However, I might squeeze in a second visit here before I leave. There are quite a few ippudo though, with different names after the first word. I’m not sure if they are all under the same. But the one I went to in Ebisu is really good. definitely recommend it.

This location is at the Ebisu location but still in Shibuya. It is best to take the Tokyo Metro line to the Ebisu stop.
Awesome service and with a huge topping selection! I came here and try their Hakata ramen and it was good. The broth is very flavorful. The ramen with a good amount of meat even though the noodles were pretty thin. I got the Akamaru ramen, which you can order spicy. You can choose the regular or large bowl. Loved every bite. I also love their soft boiled eggs. Their pork gyoza was perfectly cooked with a crispy bottom and thin wrapper I need to return to try their other appetizers as well.
I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Also I found out that you can get the Ippudo instant ramen version at the grocery store/​local food mart, which is worth loading your suitcase with!

Step-​by-​step directions from Ebisu station on JR Line:
1. Take the East Exit (steps/​escalator UP not down)
2. As you exit gates, walk straight all the way till you hit a balcony overlooking Ebisu area
3. Take escalator down. You should see Starbucks on left side
4. Make 180 degree turn right and take steps down another level
5. Walk straight past Sunkus and Tully’s Coffee
6. Cross road /​traffic light from left side
7. The road forks into a V. Take the path to the right and walk down
8. Take first left
9. Walk approximately 200 metres, crossing a tiny canal bridge
10. Cross the big road
11. Ippudo is 3 shops to the right
12. Slurp that ramen!
I come here every time I am in Tokyo. Hands down beats the offshoots in Singapore & Hong Kong.
I usually have the Shiomaru Special (medium firm noodles) with a side of Gyoza.

Love love love this place and their ramen! Had the Karaka and the Shiromaru Motoaji– both delicious! Quick and friendly service. Love the tea they serve in pitchers on the table.

A short train ride away from Shibuya and I was able to finally try Ippudo in Japan. Having loved the ramen in New York and Singapore, I came with an empty stomach on a cold day.
After first being exposed to Ippudo in New York City, I always wondered if it was similar to the what was being served in Japan. I am pleased to say that it consistency is surely Ippudo’s strong point. Three different locations, all great ramen; but this one I’d have to say was the best I’ve had.
The décor is not the typical modern look of the NY or SG locations, but instead looks very humble just like the other ramen shops in Tokyo. Once seated, there were some pickled bean sprouts to snack on which was a nice treat. Ordering the Akamaru Modern with kae-​dama, I did not intend to leave hungry. It did not disappoint. The broth was piping hot and more flavorful than what I remember from NY or SG. Noodles were firm but were an easy slurp. The bowl and subsequent kae-​dama did not last long. Before I knew it, I was back on the train to Shibuya already thinking of when I’d come back.
Yes it has gotten more popular with the international branches, but plain and simple: Ippudo has really, really good ramen.

I’ve been to Ippudo in Hong Kong, New York and Tokyo and this one wins by a small margin.
We got the Classic, Akamaru Modern and Spicy. Don’t judge. The Classic was delicious, but the base for the Akamaru Modern seemed much fattier, which I personally enjoyed. I could see the bits of fat floating along. Noms. The miso flavoring was light and not overpowering. A bit of spice added to the complexity. If you can handle your spice, I recommend getting the spicy at a 5. We got a 3 and I wished we got more. My sister personally felt it was too sweet for her taste. I personally like my noodles very firm, but I was able to communicate that. I’m pretty sure that’s more my fault then theirs.
That egg though. It was the best part of the ramen. Ooey gooey goodness. The yolk when mixed with the Akamaru Modern broth was almost like heaven.
Oh I don’t know if they were having an off day, but the pork was ok at best. It was very tender and quite fatty. I’ve had better in Hong Kong. Butao for the win! At least in the pork department.

I can only speak of this, their original location, but based on my experience, Ippudo is for real and so good that I came here for lunch twice during my Tokyo visit. On the first visit I went with their standard ramen. While I’m not a fan of their super thin noodles and noodles are a huge component to ramen, I still devoured every ounce of the deliciousness that was in the bowl. On my second visit, I had a smaller appetite after having 3 lunches that day (it was my last day in town, what do you expect? You gotta eat your way through Tokyo!). I only ordered the chasu bowl and words do not do it justice. It was literally one of the best things I’ve ever eaten period. And it was so simple: chasu, seaweed, rice, and roe (which I would put money on that they marinate it in sake). I can confidently say it was the best pork belly I’ve ever had and by far. The texture and flavor was absolutely perfect. This little bowl consisted of pure divinity and every single bite was amazing!
While the ramen is what they are known for, I actually would have given 4 stars for it. The chasu bowl is an easy 10+ stars for me, thus the well deserved 5 stars. I also loved the atmosphere and the service is friendly and just fantastic! When in Tokyo, do not miss coming here!

ramen and Japan — i can’t think of one without thinking of the other…
Ippudo does some damn delicious ramen. one of my traveling mates could eat ramen everyday — and i probably could too if it was from this ramen shop!
located in Shibuya at the Ebisu station, this is actually a chain ramen shop. they have many locations, including one in New York.
being that this was a chain, i wasn’t sure what to expect. after actually eating here, this really was some of the best ramen i’ve ever had.
after looking at their menu, i decided on the Akamaru Modern ramen, with dumpling and rice set. the tonkotsu pork broth had a deep flavor that you can only get from long hours of cooking. their noodles were perfectly cooked; not soggy, and nicely chewy. the miso paste they use was delicious, and they also throw in pork, veggies, and garlic oil. eating this ramen, for me, was the definition of Umami.
in the set i chose, you also get a bowl of rice, and 5 pieces of gyoza. the gyoza were a nice addition, and i mostly ate them with the rice, but in the end, i saved some rice for the broth from the ramen. so delicious.
you can also add in other condiments to your ramen such as pickled vegetables, ground sesame seeds, and such — all of which are found on the table for easy pickins.
the only thing i did not like was the tea water they served — it had this extremely stringent flavor that i just could not enjoy. but this of course is minor, and after all, you’re there for the ramen right? :)

La réputation de Ippūdō nest plus à faire ! Cet endroit est incontestablement l’un des meilleurs spots du monde pour déguster un rāmen d’exception.
C’est d’ailleurs le meilleur que j’ai pu déguster lors de mes différents voyages au Japon.
Le cadre est chaleureux et authentique, avec ses grandes tables en bois que l’on partage avec les autres clients, sans pour autant être les uns sur les autres.
Le service est impeccable, comme partout au Japon évidemment, mais avec un petit côté familial en plus.
Parfaitement assaisonnés, justes en quantité, les rāmen sont divins. Relativement peu de choix, mais que du bon ! Petit plus sur la table, quelques épices et condiments mis à disposition pour agrémenter votre rāmen, mais franchement ils sont tellement bien équilibrés qu’on s’en passé aisément.
Totalement conquis par ce restaurant, je le conseille fortement si vous trainez dans le quartier de Ebisu, d’autant plus qu’il est bon marché.

*Not vegetarian-​friendly. CASH ONLY.
For meat-​lovers, definitely recommend coming here. For vegetarians, I recommend seeing if they have a miso soup-​based alternative (most should offer it).
This place is fantastic. Great service, clean facilities. I ordered the Akamaru (without pork). [*NOTE: I naively realized AFTER I consumed the whole bowl, the broth is completely pork-​based. Meaty, fatty, pork soup. «Ippudo ramen is famous for their tonkotsu-​based (pork) soup…» Yes, I’m an idiot, I know. Promptly retched afterwards, but not because the food was bad, more so because as a vegetarian, I’m not used to meat in my dietary system anymore.] My friend ordered the Akamaru Special WITH Pork. Said it was the best he ever had.
I actually went to Ippudo in NYC for the very firs time last year for my 21^st birthday. To be honest, after the meal, my friends asked me how I thought of it, and I couldn’t say it was «fantastic» or «mind blowing» or «super memorable.» I really have no recollection of the ramen itself (although I do remember that the sake I ordered tasted fantastic.) This place though… oh my God. Noodles were absolutely amazing. Not too hard and not too soft. Egg was perfectly runny, the yolk oozed out so smoothly and mixed with the broth to create an even more flavorful taste. It was neither overly under-​cooked nor overly overcooked either. They also provide spicy pickled sprouts in a small dish nearby that you can add — I found that it added a small yet sweet tang and mixed very well with the overall dish.
I loved the atmosphere of this restaurant. The one in New York felt a bit dark, bustling, and noisy. Not very inviting, to be honest. I personally had a lovely waiter but from what I observed of the other tables, the waiters at the Ippudo-​NYC branch didn’t seem to pay much attention their customers because they were too busy and preoccupied with other tables. But here, there was no line and just as expected of Japanese culture, waiters would bow as you enter and everyone (waiters, cashier, chef) were extremely accommodating. The lighting was soft but not dim; it was very comforting, light, and welcoming.
Also, completely unrelated to the food itself, but the restaurant lets you charge your phone. You just ask the waiter and they’ll watch your phone for you as it charges at the front desk. It’s definitely something unique about Asian culture and I think It’s so great. And don’t worry, it’s completely safe and trustworthy.
SushiDai in Tsukiji ruined sushi for me (in the best way possible) and here, Ippudo definitely set the bar — I can never have sushi or ramen again unless it is in Tokyo.

Tried over 10 ramen shops in Tokyo and the ramen here was so good I came back and are it again in that same trip.
The only thing I don’t like about ippudo is they use very skinny noodles and I prefer fat or flat noodles.

This is by far my favorite ramen spot… EVER.
Ever since my brother took me back in 07, It’s always a must-​go whenever I come back to Japan! The flavors are so strong and freakin’ amazing.
Bf and I both ordered the «red circle miso» and it is soo delicious. They have a bunch of toppings you can put on your ramen… ORRR just eat it itself. They have this spicy takana and spicy bean sprouts. We like to just eat it as is. as like an appetizer. :D
We both asked for extra green onion and they give you so much, I love it!
They used to have fresh garlic with a presser on each table, but maybe they recently took it away. I asked for it, and they were more than happy to bring out some garlic and a presser for us! They gave us about 7 garlic cloves.
Cheap, fast, delicious, amazing.

My wife claims the New York version of this ramen spot is the best ramen in the world. It doesn’t even compare to this version.
I was fortunate to go with a friend of mine who speaks Japanese*, but there is an English version of the menu with pictures that you can point to to get what you want.
There’s a large square table in the back, and it’s fairly easy to get in and get a seat (we ate at 7 on a Wednesday night) whereas in New York, there’s never less than a two hour wait, even at 2pm on a Tuesday. I ordered the classic ramen and it blew my mind. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve never had ramen before because the depth of flavor in the broth for this ramen was tremendous.
There was spice, and texture and flavor and just absolute deliciousness. I asked my local friend if it was alright if I just picked up the bowl and drank the broth — she laughed that I’d even ask the question. «Go right ahead!» she said, «it’s the way they do it here.»
I have had ramen in New York and the Bay Area in the US, and it isn’t even close to Ippudo here. I can’t say whether something is the best or not with my limited experience, but if you’re looking for ramen you’ll be pleased with what you get at Ippudo.
* — I’m a typical gaijin, and all I can get out is konichiwa and arrigato.

Ippudo is a favorite of the nearby Waseda students, but in my opinion the ramen is just so-​so.
The restaurant itself is quite tiny so you need to go early in order to beat the lunch rush. Thankfully service is fast and they get you in and out quickly. It’s best to order the ramen alone; don’t be fooled by gyoza sets, the dumplings are tiny and not worth it. The ramen broth is pretty good and I enjoyed the fact that they have garlic presses on each table so you can press fresh garlic into your noodles. Delish! They also have some yummy bean sprout garnish on the side which is addicting.
My opinion of Ippudo was average to begin with, but it dropped lower when I found out they add MSG to their broth =(This was sad because my mother is allergic to MSG and she couldn’t eat anything after we found out everything had MSG, so we had to forgo Ippudo for another restaurant.

I have been to their NYC location a few times and this one is definitely more laid back and traditional. It was easy to get in and get seated. Service was fast and they had English menus which was convenient. And of course ramen was excellent!