The reputation of this spot often overwhelms it. Even though most times you will have to wait in a frantic sidewalk crowd, we managed to bypass the chaos during a quiet Monday service. While the bowl was fundamentally sound, the chashu fell somewhat short of the gold standard. The spicy ramen was not even slightly spicy. What truly elevates the experience is the customization; the diverse selection of extra aromatics provides a necessary depth that the kitchen’s initial seasoning only hints at...

Sunday around 1 we didn’t have to wait long to get a spot. The queue organization - like we remember from Japan. Food super authentic. Came close to the best Ramen I’ve ever tasted in Ueno. Both ramens we had were delicious and flavorful. The dessert hojija and matcha affogato are big enough to be shared among at least two people.