ICHIRAN Times Square Reviews

I'm a huge fan of ichiran ramen. I visit Japan 4x a year, and each time I make sure to make a trip (or 2) to Ichiran, even if the lines can be close to an hour (used to be close to 2). So I was very surprised to find Ichiran a couple of blocks from my hotel as I was walking home. Taste is authentic, you surely don't lose much. The pork is slightly different than in Japan, but tasty nonetheless. Slight differences from Japan: you pay after your meal here, unlike japan when you have to prepay. And the price! It's more than double what you pay in Japan. A bowl of ramen for $19 is steep! And that's the reason I didn't give this 5 stars Oh by the way, they're offering your first noodle refill for free until March 2020. At least that helps you get some value back.

Great spot in the heart of Times Square. The menu is simple, but the dishes are delicious. We really enjoyed it. It’s seating arrangement is also unique.

I was looking for a place to eat after a show and this Ramen House was opened late! Perfect for dinning alone or in a small party since everyone is given a cubby/window to themselves. I have to say this was the best Ramen I've ever had! This place is incredibly authentic and they're reasonably priced (even for Times Square). Sometimes the pork in Ramen can be fatty and chewy but this was not. It was tender and juicy and the egg was PERFECTLY cooked when it arrived. Just soft boiled and delicious. Overall highly recommend!

Expect a queue during peak hours. Other than that, it’s quite fast to get seats. Service was great. They do not accept tipping, only payment by credit cards which I personally like! I do not see the reason why is it compulsory to tip at other restaurants in NY when you know that the service staffs aren’t genuine in their service towards you. The fake smiles and hellos as well as the frequent disturbs in between your meals to check on you! Anyway, back to Ichiran, ramen taste fantastic, it’s fast but slightly pricey for s bowl of ramen. But it’s in Times Square, you don’t expect food to be cheap!

Looking for ramen during a short visit to Manhattan, we came to ICHIRAN for dinner based on the generally positive reviews. We left satisfied, but not blown away. Read on for details. The dining setup for ICHIRAN is different from conventional restaurants. At the entrance, there are touch screen displays where you order your dinner with an array of ramen options. The hostess helped us through the screens. Once you order and pay, you are directed to seats on a long row of individual booths, reminiscent of a classic Japanese ramen bar. For couples and parties, the dividers between seats can be pushed aside. We selected the classic side option (scallions, mushrooms, egg) to go with our classic ramen. The substantial serving contained a nice ratio of noodles to broth. Their "medium level" hot sauce was in the center. After sampling the edges of the broth, I mixed things up and added the options. The dish, overall, was very good. I'd prefer a heavier broth, but the noodles were very good and the chachi was excellent. Compared to other ramen, with the Kodawari locations in Paris being a reference point, ICHIRAN was a notch below while being almost twice the cost of Kodawari. Still we enjoyed our dinner and will return on our next Manhattan visit.

Went there with some friends. Ordering was pretty easy. Of course, since we all sat in a row next to each other, it’s not the place to have conversations with friends. The food was really good, though, and the service quick.

The well known tonkatsu ramen and its premium yakibuta are yummy! Taste is authentic. Restaurant lay-out and service are unique; on top of that, they do not accept tip. The catch: long queue before entering the restaurant. Come early…

The staff was super friendly and nice and the Ramen was absolutely delicious! If you love Ramen, GET THERE!!! 😍 We will absolutely return!

The ramen speaks for itself. The ramen is out of this world and unlike anything I’ve ever had. I followed the recommendations while ordering and do not regret it. The spice level of the recommended (2) adds great flavor to the broth, while not too overpowering but enough to tingle your senses. The chashu (pork) is excellent and I would recommend ordering extra. My wife and I came here on our visit to NYC and ended up coming back two more times during the same trip. Will always come back to Ichiran while visiting the city.

Their tonkatsu ramen is amazing. They serve only one kind of ramen, tonkatsu, and it can be customized with fillings and spice level. You can open the dividers between ramen stalls if you’re going with friends. Other than that, amazing service and it is a no-tipping restaurant.

This restaurant adapts a Japanese traditional way of serving food. You are walked into a booth separated by wooden doors (these can be unlocked and closed if you are eating with company). Your server is in front of you, behind a bamboo curtain. You cannot see their faces. There was no queue when we went to visit. I had the veggie ramen which was AMAZING! You order via a paper slip indicating what you want in your ramen e.g. extra spring onions. You can even specify how you want your noodles e.g soft or firm. It truly was a dining experience that I will never forget. It was very unique and would highly recommend to any visitors to the area! Please note: THIS PLACE WAS CARD ONLY, NO CASH. I am also under the impression that they do not accept tipping.

I loved it.. there was a small line outside. But the atmosphere was incredible.. the service excellent. They explained everything so well, and the food was delicious. So tasty, best ramen i’ve ever had. And I’m not a big ramen eater.

Ichiran is an iconic ramen shop for someone if lives the dish. This restaurant sat us quickly and we received our food very quickly. The quality of the food was amazing and the serving was a perfect amount for our lunch. Would definitely go back!

The tonkotsu ramen was so delicious. Service was great. Staffs was nice and kind. Price was reasonable. Will definitely come back one more time before i leave NYC

We were in Japan at the beginning of 2020 and have been in search of authentic ramen in the US....we found it at Ichiran. Great food ala Tokyo

My friends and I were craving ramen on a chilly day and Ichiran was right around the corner. Between 4 people we shared 2 bowls of the classic tonkatsu ramen with extra noodle refills and recommended toppings set. They have dividers between seats which you can remove if you want to share or actually want to dine with the person next to you. Ichiran has some of the best ramen I've ever had. Rich creamy broth with fresh thin noodles. The bowl itself was plenty for the both of us. The chasu was thinly sliced, seasoned well and very tender. The hard boiled egg was very in our ramen and was still gooey when we cracked it in our broth. Love the concept herea s you can dine alone or with another person. Food comes out really quickly and flavors were 5 stars. We agreed that if we could we would come back again on our trip. Highly recommend Ichiran if you want authentic ramen with quality ingredients. Covid wise they take things very seriously with temperature checks, and employees wearing masks and gloves. We came here on a Sunday and the restaurant was at half capacity.

This is such an authentic Japanese experience in NYC. The layout of the restaurant is just like the one they have in Tokyo. Ramen was also so good and delicious that I would think that I'm in Japan and not New York.

In the city of New York, the Times Square is the salvation of Asian tourists. From the catering process to the dining space to maintain the original Japanese flavour, the tablet catering is easy to operate, and the service staff is very friendly. The most touching thing is the “No Tips” system, which makes it easy for people in the U.S. to enjoy a bowl of hot-boiling pasta. The soup head is thick, soft and strong, the smell of pork bones is thick and not exhausted; the pot Q ball has a strong bite, forged soft taste, each snack is satisfying. Even in the time-placed area, stable quality and sophisticated service remain, although the price is slightly higher, but taste and experience are worth visiting.

I came here to try and pass time, and it did not disappoint!!! I would recommend this place to everyone, but go on your own so that you can have the full experience!

The best ramen with tonkotsu bar that I I ate! Excellent base, good pasta and a different experience! I would repeat it many times and it is very well located.

Very characteristic place in the Times Square area. You order with a tablet at the entrance and after paying they make you sit in one of the corridors with seats on the left and right with removable booths. The Ramen is good, I've eaten better especially in Japan, but it's not bad. Experience to try

Just yum!! We had just arrived in NYC after a long journey. Tired and sleepy we wanted something simple. Luckily we arrived here just in time and we were the last guests to be allowed in. The queue wait was worth it. So simple but so flavourful. No fuss, no dramas, authentic and delicious. With our bellies full we slept soundly and happily.

Since Ichiran is already a famous ramen chain restaurant worldwide, there is no doubt me and my family wanted to stop by for some ramen during windy nights in New York. The portion was fulfilling, had an amazing dinner.

We were in town and walking thru Times Square looking for a place to eat amongst the chaos. I looked down a side street and there was a ramen joint. So glad we found this gem. Ramen was great and solo eating added to the experience. Highly recommend!

The ramen here is just as delicious as the ones in Brooklyn and Shinjuku, Tokyo, and that says a lot. The chashu is a bit lean for a ramen, though. Regardless, I will come back.

Yes it is a good ramen but not extraordinary, there are many other places in New York where you can taste e decently good ramen, same level of this one. There is no option of tables but only small single person desks, isolated from the ones on your side (very sad, very lonely very much Tokyo style); staff is efficient, not really friendly given the pressure. Portion is good but not abundant, especially if you compare the price (in other NYC venues no more than 25/28 dollars). There is a continuous flow of people and usually there is a line outside. My opinion is that it's not worth the line and the price too: for a normal tonkotsu with suggested complements, no alchool, I paid 35 dollars...too much. A good marketing and communication job has been done, other review can witness how many have been impressed, but the real thing is not worth the price.

We have eaten at Ichiran in Tokyo and of course every time we are in New York City, we have to eat their fabulous ramen soup. The broth is full of flavor and just delicious. This is a very popular place so I would advise going when they first open or be prepared to wait in line outside. The line does move rather fast and it is worth the wait. You will not find any more authentic Tonkotsu anywhere else.

Was very excited to try out a spot that’s dedicated to solo diners! I always see a long line outside the joint, so was curious for a while as to how good Ichiran actually is. It did not disappoint! The line for dinner wasn’t too bad, though it was pretty cold outside. Soon enough, we were brought in and I had a piping hot bowl of ramen in front of me! I ordered the classic and also got a bottle of sparkling sake which definitely elevated the experience. I was blown away by how tender the pork was and how much meat and toppings they provided. Honestly a good value given how high quality the ingredients are!

I wish I could rate higher than a five. The extra firm noodles, pork broth, and upgraded pork were absolutely beyond delicious. I ended up getting another half order of noodles. The matcha iced tea was good, and the matcha dessert was delicious. The service was great.

Great meal and something completely different for me. Would absolutely recommend to try whilst in New York. Good service food quality really good

Very organized concept. The food is very fresh and cooked to your personal preference. No cash - no tips - very helpful staff.

We went to this place twice already. The first time we are so happy to find a place where you can eat a legit ramen. Feels like you’re in Japan.food was expensive thou. They should Atleast offer a refill on either the soup or the noodle. Then the next visit we are disappointed since they don’t offer refill they even change the size if their bowl. So it became more smaller. The prize still the same. Card only accepted NO CASH

Ichiran Ramen is so good! I’m not generally a fan of ramen but on cooler days this is just the thing. It fills you up at an affordable price. Seating is Japanese style where you get your own little booth. They can provide seats for bigger groups all together( they take off the dividers in between). The location is just off of Times Square so they open til late. They have efficient service and great food! What’s great is you can customize the taste/ saltiness of your ramen. I recommend low salt because the pork tends so add to the flavor.

Stopped in on a cold and rainy evening. I wanted take-out but they don’t provide take-out. Dine in only. One bowl of ramen is $20 but it was delicious! They took us down to the basement area to a strange divided counter area to order. It was way more cool than strange actually. I loved it! This is a must try adventure for anyone in the Times Square area.

They said this place opened back in March. Very interesting place. The seating is independent booths so you can eat in private. They have basically one type of broth. And you select the toppings you want. Even the type of noodles. And they make it very clear... no tipping allowed.

this Ichiran is the same as the famous Ichiran restaurant in Osaka, Japan. I don't know if the one in Times Square is managed by a franchise system or it is their restaurant branch from Osaka. The queue is as long as the one in osaka. customers can wait up to an hour just to just eat ramen. the taste itself is quite good and authentic

Best Ramen and a genuine Japanese experience. I felt in Japan all the attendants were very friendly and helpful.

We have eaten several times at their location in Tokyo so to have a restaurant in NYC was very exciting. How different it was to dine in NYC due to no lines, paying at the end of the meal but double the price. The classic Tonkotsu ramen was absolutely the best, broth was exceptional.

Stopped here for lunch shortly after opening and didn't have to wait at all. Was seated right away at one of their individual stalls and placed my order. You can only really get one type of ramen, which is Tonkotsu, but they do it very well. You can customize your order many different ways from the spice level, to noodle firmness, to extra toppings. Once you place your order the service is very quick, but they don't cut corners. The ramen was one of the best bowls I've eaten and I only wish I was visiting New York longer to come back here again. I will definitely be back on my next trip. This is not a great place to go with family, friends, or a date because each seat is meant for one person. It's a unique concept that really lets you focus on your meal and really enjoy the flavors with minimal distractions.

ICHIRAN delivers consistent standard - delicious and always reliable goos quality. Fast service. Ramen is excellent, and the fact you can tailor how you want your ramen makes a difference. I like my ramen al dente whereas my kids prefer them softer.

Ichiran was a fun lunch stop on our trip. We got there a bit early and the line was already long. Most folks were able to order quickly at a kiosk and then wait in another like for seats. We split into two groups so we could be seated quicker. The ramen was great and there were lots of options for toppings. We enjoyed the atmosphere, too, especially my teens.

Delicious! Staff is friendly, service is great, and the ramen is top notch. Well worth the wait. Plus, the seating arrangements are perfect for solo travelers - much less awkward when you're grabbing a quick lunch vs. sitting at a giant empty table.

OMG! Did not know what to expect. Ramen was excellent. I’ll call it stall seating was unexpected but made it so fun. Not sure if it is like this other places but our first. Although you really don’t see your server Eric did bend down so I could catch a pic of him. We definitely will go back!! Just what we were looking for in a cold Feb day!!! Yum!

A co-worker recommended trying ICHIRAN and it was well worth it. This is not a place that we would normally seek out but my wife and I really enjoyed the experience. Since this our first time at a place like this, we ordered the basic ramen and didn't deviate from the recommended preparation. It was quite good and I would recommend to anyone looking for a quick but fun meal that wants stay away from all of the chain restaurants of Times Square.

Delicious ramen… worth the wait. Very cool Experience and an efficient process to order. Truly a memorable Experience

I travel for living and I am also a foodie. I love trying something new or different. I have tried ramen from west coast to east but this one stand in the different category. This ramen place observe the traditional Japanese culture. The server were very polite. The ramen itself was very tasty, I really love the broth. The noodles was perfect also the pork meat. It cost about $105 for 4, no tip needed. I think for New York that is decent for a really good food. I will be back.

What a neat place. Our group was 2 adults and 2 kids and we all enjoyed this restaurant experience. It was definitely unique and exactly what we were looking for in a quick “big city” trip.

Ichiran is an exceptional restaurant, particularly suitable for those seeking a traditional ramen experience. While it evokes the ambiance of Japanese establishments, it unfortunately comes with U.S. tourist pricing. We enhanced our meal by adding extra Katsu, seaweed, mushrooms, and soft-boiled egg, resulting in a hearty and satisfying dish. Upon entering, customers pay at the counter and hold onto their tickets until seated. The dining area consists of traditional booths with small walls separating each stool. Guests can hang their coats or bags, and a water dispenser is located in the center of the aisle for cold filtered water. To order beverages, customers can signal the server behind the curtain on the opposite side of the booth. This allows for requests such as dessert, drinks, or additional meal items. The dining experience was smooth and enjoyable, with a traditional ambiance. The parts of Japan I have visited share similar atmospheres, and while the taste may be superior in the motherland, this assessment may be biased. I highly recommend Ichiran, particularly for its generous portion sizes of noodles. However, it is advisable to arrive with an appetite.

Coming to the bestibulo 3 or 4 screens to order your food. Next you line up to get a seat, this may take a while. There is only 1 type of ramen based tonkatsu, it only varies by the amount of spiciness and if you want to add things (there are not many options). This is delicious pasta and base. The service experience is that you sit in an individual place, separated by screens between each place so that you focus on the food and taste experience of each ingredient separately. Place free of tips.

If you love ramen then this is a must when in NYC! This was our third time here and it’s always consistently delicious! Love the little individual booths to sit in and the privacy of enjoying your meal.

As my stomach is still suffering from the classic ramen I had in Ichiran 4hr ago (9pm 3dec), I keep this post short. The ramen was under boiled! It was powdery and sticky and I could feel the raw flour inside the noodle! It was like medium rare ramen! Because it was my late dinner , I was starving but I had to stop eating when my stomach started feeling unwell! It’s a fortune that I am living nearby so I could take rest immediately. In last 4 hours I’ve been experiencing food poison feelings. Sweating, vomiting and dizziness. I hope these feelings will go away soon. In case I need to go hospital because of this bowl of ramen, I will keep you posted here

Long lines but worth the wait. Almost as good as Tokyo with individual booths that allow you to focus and gorge your ramen. Only disappointment is no beer but this so people just eat and leave

I work near here and we have many options for ramen in this area. This place opened up not too long ago and so I went to try it out. They are Japanese restaurant set up where you can go eat alone facing the wall. Staffs try to speak Japanese to give you authentic experience which is cool but still, for their high price and lack of options, and nickel and dime charge on everything, I would never go again especially for their mediocre food. Here are some pointers. 1- You don't need to tip them and they only take credit card, no cash 2- large groups shouldn't go because you only get to sit side by side in a row, 3- Vegetarians shouldn't go, they only offer pork broth. 4-Basically only two ramen options, one for $24, one for $18. $24 dollar one is so called a "set menu" that includes mushroom, nori, boiled egg, 2 extra slices of pork and extra scallions that typically comes along with ramen orders at other restaurants. $18 dollar one excludes all these and just comes with scallions, 2 slices of pork. 5- you can choose your own saltiness, amount of oil, and tenderness of noodles. Bottom line- save your money and go to other ramen places for comparable taste and reasonable price. $24 and $18 for a bowl doesn't justify what they give you. Yes you don't have to tip them but they included the tips in their price. Who eats a bowl of ramen for $18/$24??? especially when it's not even anything exceptional? This is NYC with lots of options and I almost guarantee this place wouldn't last so long. They would only get one time visitors who doesn't know what they're gonna get. Price was shocking but food was so mediocre. Though it was interesting set up. If you're a rich single who simply wants to eat alone facing the wall- go for it.

One of the best bowl's of ramen I have had. The yakibuta melts in your mouth and the noodles are made fresh daily. And don't forget the matcha pudding!

Having never dined in this type of solo booth eating establishment, I was a little intimidated at first about the concept. After a bit of explanation and time, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The selection process and customization options were overwhelming at first but the server was able to guide me through it fairly easy. I ordered the recommended ramen dish and it was excellent. The noodles were cooked to perfection and the broth was delicious. All the different add-ins were great and the soft-boiled egg was just as it should be. I will definitely be checking this place out again on my next trip to NYC.

Our first time to visit and try this Japanese cuisine, the classic Tonkotsu Ramen. That pork broth had such a rich and soothing flavor that only enhanced the texture and subtle layered taste of the ramen noodle. Make sure to order extra noodle (or Kae-Dama) because the ramen is so satisfying good. I added mushrooms, scallions, soft boiled eggs and Yakibuta (or pork slices) as toppings to further enhance the taste experience. Service is quick and so politely presented. The price of the meal is reasonable but the taste experience is priceless.

I will not miss it! It is my first stop whenever I visit NY and even more so during the cold season, although you almost always have to wait in line.

Excellent place, the best ramen I've ever tasted. We repeat several times in this place during the holidays. I don't know how great he knew me. A 10 to everything

This place is the new hotness in midtown lunching and for good reason. The lines can be long but thanks to Japanese efficiency, it goes by quickly. If you're vegetarian, gluten free, or pork free, this place is not for you. For all others, saddle up to a booth and enjoy the ride. This place is legit. The broth is amazing and the red pepper is even better. They only serve ramen here and don't seem to have a beer license yet. That was sad news. The other reason why they didn't receive a 5 from me is due to their overcooked $3 egg. For what is supposed to be a soft boiled egg, it was not. It was 30 seconds from being hard boiled and unseasoned. At $3, I can buy a carton of eggs - pass. Egg and beer aside, the ramen and broth will spark you joy. I Marie Kondo that bowl with no regrets. An additional plus, tips are included and they only accept credit. This includes digital mobile payments. Score!

Best ramen I have ever had! Did take out it was amazing. Next time I am going to take and hour and sit and take in the whole experience!!

Best ramen ever and this place is exactly like their restaurant in Tokyo. The place focuses on enjoying the ramen that they have a unique way of their staff focusing on the order behind curtains. It is really delicious.

Although the process was not explained upon ordering, it was incredible! Amazing Ramen! You order then they give you table. You go and ring bell server will take ticket and shut a tiny window. Once your order is ready it’s delivered through window. Unique and cool!

I love ramen and I’ve tried ramen in a lot of places but this one is simply the best ramen ever! Tasty, fresh, cooked to your taste, the explosion of flavors is just incredible. So simple ingredients can really make the best meal that you’ll gonna have in New York. The staff are so polite and so helpful that they make you feel home. I was 5 nights in New York and I went to 2 Ichiran. Will definitely come back. Ps:. Wish you would open in London!

A fun experience of the best ramen in NYC, efficient queue system and no frill no fuss ordering system. Ramen cook to your liking and the both to die for. Best ramen outside of Japan

I love ramen but most places in the U.S don't come close to the ramen experience in Japan. This was the first time that we felt like we were back in Japan. The ramen was great, the broth was perfect and the experience was pleasant. Service was quick and easy to understand. As an added bonus, children under 8 eat free!

They serve very good ramen, quickly, with a friendly staff. You'll eat your ramen in a cozy, single-person dining area, so it's not ideal for larger groups. Expect to wait in line for 15 to 30 minutes, so plan to arrive a little early to secure a table. Once inside, it goes quickly.

Very cool experience and ramen was great! We’d do it again. We waited in line to get in but was worth it. Love how simple it is and yummy.

Very delicious Ramen. Easily able to custimize. Look at menu before you need to order. Plan to wait in line, which moves quickly. Fast service. Only negative is that felt a bit rushed, but I think is close to authentic experience.

Very interesting concept, with an efficient process. Not to stereotype, but seemed very "Japanese". Individual booths, like a school study carrel! Food delivered through the hatch in front of you, by an unseen server. Very quick service. Good place to just go alone and appreciate the ramen, although the dividers fold back if you're a couple. Excellent tonkatsu broth.

I went here on a Friday night!! I had been waiting for it to open since December!! My dad works in Hell’s Kitchen and he saw this place every day walking to his office and always texted me saying “josh it isn’t open yet” and I was like come on!! Then I was in English class and my teacher never pays attention to anyone not paying attention so I looked up this place and it said it was opening the week after!! So the day finally comes and I get nervous because I had been so excited for it since September!! I got my order form and I filled it out!! I got firm noodles and rich broth and an egg and a ramune!! The egg was the high point of my ramen egg experience!! It was like I drank it!! It was so soft and so perfect!! The ramen was magical and so was the private booth!! I liked the word free ordering process because I got to just be quiet and enjoy my ramen!! My dad kept breaking into my booth and I told him over and over again to get out!! I am definitely coming back here because it is my new favorite ramen place in the entire city!!

The ramen, said to be the best in the city, is very good, and, if not quite convenient to theater goers, is well set in the heart of the midtown shopping area. Though I have had far better tonkatsu broth in California and Japan, it is delicious. The only qualms are the long wait for a table, and the cubicle seating, lined up in a row like pigs at a trough, is likely imported from a Japanese salaryman setting and completely inappropriate for a social meal with family and friends who expect to converse and share tastes. Rather depressingly, this may make it ideally suited for today’s diner who focuses exclusively on their phone rather than those they share a meal with. Which maybe accounts for the lengthy line to get in, as much as the food does.

Beautiful experience, delicious food , ramen really done well, I took it with added meat (maybe a slice more for the price we needed) and the egg , spicy the right really good

Went to Times Square just for 一蘭. Knew that waiting is common for Ichiran so were not surprised. Ramen tasted even better after 45 minutes of standing, indeed a winter delicacy. Tried 10 times secret spice and it was good. I would probably give 15 times a try at my next time here. Servants did perfect job and the place is neat and cozy.

Small wait line outside approximately 10-15 minutes but absolutely worth the wait. Staff were quick and efficient. The food- INCREDIBLE. This was our first experience with true ramen and it delivered. We went with the recommended “settings” for each selection and we wouldn’t change a thing. Overall, great experience. We would go back.

I throughly enjoyed the experience and the awesome ramen. If you love ramen then you need to eat here. If it’s your first time then follow the recommended eating instructions. You will not be disappointed.

The best Ramen I had so far outside of Japan. I love their concept. You get in line (no reservations), order, pay, get seated in a booth and you just get your food and drinks. You actually don’t see the face of the waiter but they explain everything for you. The ramen was very delicious. You order them way you like it (or you follow their recommendation). Very important information: They have a no tipping culture like in Japan.

Really delicious ramen, nice taste, fast service, good porc, good rice. But expansif price, 1 ramen + 1 supplement rices 24 dollars.

Ichiran is a Fantastic Ramen Experience! Even the setup was new to me .. I enjoyed every moment and can't recommend this place enough .. Try it if you're a ramen fan!

Family trip to Manhattan for Spring Break. Ichiran was recommended by a friend back home, so we planned a walk-by on our way into Times Square for our evening show. There was no outside line up, so we gave it a shot and went in! We are a family of 5, so we waited ~10 minutes for enough booths to open up. The restaurant is a straight-from-Japan experience, with individual booths for each person to be served and eat. We each received an ordering sheet for the tonkotsu ramen, and could select a number of options (saltiness, pickiness, noodle texture, etc.). Once seated, our order sheets were reviewed, and within less than 10 minutes, our meals were presented to us. The broth was rich, the noodles excellent, the toppings tasty. The ajitama egg was cooked through, with a solid but not fully cooked yolk. The base bowl was set at $22, the “full” set of extra toppings (mushrooms, nori, 2 more pieces of chashu, and the ajitama) was another $7. Overall a unique experience, and a very tasty bowl of ramen.

Great experience, delicious ramen served in a traditional, clean and tidy setting. I recommend it for those who love ramen

Mid-afternoon ramen helps to avoid lineups. Was walked to Booth 52 where the staff tried to seat me beside the self-serve water. Asked for the next booth. After checking off two papers, the staff proceeded to confirm my order and reminded me before and after their scripted talk to pay for my meal afterwards. They placed the large wooden tag in my booth which also reminded me to please pay for my meal! Chopsticks, napkin and water cup looked awkwardly placed to the corner of the booth and made me wonder if it was clean. Tinny instrumental Japanese music attempted to drown out routine Japanese phrases, dishes banging behind the solo booths and other noise. Red signs in front of you explained all kinds of boring restaurant information. Extra order forms hung to the side of the wall. All this talk of a distraction-free experience was full of hypocrisy. Egg was cold, but perfectly runny. Ramen arrived in its new rectangular bowl and was tasty, but nothing special. Meat was not delicate. And, for a cold, winter day it was sufficient. The whole customer experience needs refinement. Otherwise, this is really just a one-time experience!

I was so excited to try this place because I had heard really good things. I ordered a soft boiled egg with my ramen for an extra $3 and they didn't even peel it - I had to peel it myself. Then the portion was also tiny for such an expensive meal and honestly it was just good not great. Really disappointed. (This was not a dine in experience)

Quote: “If I am going to die face-first in a bowl of soup, it should be this one.” I agree! This ramen is amazing - the broth flavor is indescribably good, and the texture of the noodles are spot-on perfect. The booths add to the unique atmosphere, and it all adds up to the best ramen ever. We will be back.

My son loves ramen and found out about this place from his friend. We didn't know what to expect. We arrived early evening and was given 4 booths next to each other, as a traditional western eater we found this quirky and unusual, but soon got into the ordering process. After what seems just a few minutes we were literally present our food and what wonderful food it was too, and delicious bowl of noodles just how I ordered. For those that want to try something different in New York, come here, quickly get over your predisposes and just go with it, you will find it works. Great food, great place and for $95 for a meal for 4 with drinks, where we were all were full, it was a good evening meal out.

Apparently, the concept of eating good ramen noodle in a dining booth has been incorporated in this restaurant. This is a good venue when dining solo for a quick meal and being indifferent about personal server attention. The dining booth is a cubicle lined along a bar type setup. The servers circulate along the inside of the bar area. There are fold down screens between the 2 sides. There are also foldable partitions on either sides of booth. These may be folded back if you wish to interact with the neighbors in side cubicles. Oh, the ramen was also good with options for noodle texture and sauce spiciness.

After a series of hot dog / pizza meals in NYC, Ichiran fixed our craving for hot soup and noodles, complete with a powerful spicy kick. Conveniently located in Times Square, Ichiran offers solo booths that will be a welcome reprieve for introverts and solo travellers. No complaints about the ramen and broth, but do not order the egg. I had to peel the egg shells myself, and the egg was almost hard boiled.

The broth taste similar (99%) to the one in Japan. However when combined with the overall ingredients it is simply not on par. The egg was not runny, and the ramen somehow does not have the same or right texture to it and the chasiu (pork) does not have the same flavor. That with the exorbitant price makes it not really worth eating Ichiran in New York, unless you are missing Ichiran and not planning on going back to anytime soon to Japan. Do note they do not accept cash payments here and tips are not required (I think it is already priced in the reason why it's so expensive compared to Ichiran in Japan)

Everything was perfect until I’ve asked for extra broth. I would pay for it. The manager came and said it’s a company policy: no extra broth (not mention on the menu). Can someone please explain me, how reasonable it is to be able to have an extra portion of noodles but not extra broth? So people that actually have more broth that noodles can not enjoy their ramen the same way as the ones that have it the other way around? I’m really confused out here.

First and in main, the ramen is delicious and perfect. The staff are great. But.... After dinner I was attacked by aggressive beggars right in an exit. Be careful.

We stumbled across Ichiran on our last day. It was a late lunch we went for, so no queues & we were seated promptly. The place is very basic but the experience was very interesting (although slightly weird). You are seated at what I would describe as a voting booth, although one side was opened so my hubbie & I could see each other. The screen in front of you lifts up & you are welcomed by a faceless person as you can only see them from the waist down. The menu is basically a bowl of Ramen Noodles, although you can select how you would like it (spicy, salty etc) & if you wished anything added, both are selected from a pre-printed card you are given. We added mushrooms to our noodles & the total cost for the 2 meals was $40.80. The Noodles were very tasty & the service good (even if you couldn't see the person!). Tipping is discouraged & you pay on the way out. Although a somewhat bizarre experience I would go back if ever in New York again.

This is the best ramen I have ever had. We enjoyed the Japanese traditional experience. Unlike many of the ramen restaurants in NYC this one has a vegetarian option. It received two thumbs up from the vegetarian in our party. FYI, this restaurant focuses on ramen. It is about the noodles and the broth. Each patron sits at a "focus" booth to enjoy without distractions. The dividers can be opened to have a conversation but it would be excellent for a solo patron. The only take credit card, no cash.

In a hurry, great place to grab a quick bite. Pork and ramen was delicious. Better practice with your chopsticks before going.

As a foodie and a Ramen lover I had heard about this restaurant before and I was excited to try it out! It is even better than what I thought, the broth is rich and creamy, the noodles are fresh, the meat is tender and it has such a different and interesting concept. I personally loved it so much and I don’t think I’ll be able to eat at some of my local ramen restaurants that I used to love after trying this one, so authentic and delicious. Hope Ichiran has some plans to open on restaurant in London 🤞🏾

Definitely the best ramen in town! This branch of Ichiran has shorter line than the one in 31st street. The service is fast and the staff will explain to you how you should order i its your first time.

I saw Ichiran on tik tok and thought I'd give it a try when visiting New York and WOW! The ramen was so good that we ended up going back three times during our stay! Please bring Ichiran to London!!!