If you are a solo introvert with tipping anxiety, Japanese import Ichiran is the restaurant for you! I've been to the Ichiran in East Williamsburg but found this location to be more hectic and touristy, naturally. You order on a tablet, pay (no tip), and then are directed to a seat by a welcoming host. Poor guy must have to repeat the same spiel a billion times a day. I just defaulted to Ichiran's suggested levels for everything which made it fast and easy. Once you're at your assigned cubbyhole, you can hang your coat up on the wall behind you and fill up your water cup at the machine also behind you. You don't even see the face of the person who brings out the ramen which gives the whole process a mysterious bank teller vibe. With all this, the classic tonkotsu ramen ($23) with slender noodles nearly gets overshadowed, but don't fret since it's fantastic. I believe when you're done, you just get up and leave. Surprisingly, one of the instructional posters does not go into this. read more

Ichiran is my favorite ramen shop in Japan and the only time I've had it was when I'd visit. This was my first time trying a location in the states and I am happy to say that it tasted basically identical to the shops in Japan and the ambiance was also the same. I came in with a party of 2 on a Thursday at 1pm. There was a line but the line went by quick. When you walk into the restaurant, you pre-order at the touchscreen to the right of the entrance and later when you're seated you give the order receipts to the server at your window. The food at this location is obviously going to be pricier than it is in Japan (came out to around $60 for 2 people), but it is SO worth it as you can't get Ichiran anywhere else besides in Japan. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

More than a novelty, the ramen is flavorful and filling. Because this location is in TSQ it WILL have a line and be prepared to wait outside (which can suck depending on the time of year or the weather). If you go with more than one person and want to have a meal together, you can remove the partition between your booths which is nice. I recommend adding extra noodles read more

Ichiran in Times Square was such a great experience. It really felt like an authentic Japanese ramen spot right in the middle of NYC. The whole setup -- ordering your ramen exactly how you want it and sitting in the individual booths -- makes it feel unique and very traditional. The ramen itself was delicious. The broth was rich and flavorful, the noodles were perfect, and I loved that you can customize everything, especially the spice level. Being able to bump up the spice made it even better. Overall just a really fun, authentic ramen experience. Definitely worth checking out if you're in Times Square. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

This is always one of my go to spots to enjoy the perfect bowl of ramen. Perfect to eat at solo, but I've also visited with friends and family as well! This is a no tipping establishment and the service is as attentive as you want it to be. Upon entry you place an order on one of the kiosks. You're given a ticket and then they assign a booth seat to you. When you sit down you give them your ticket, they confirm your order and then they bring it to you when it's ready. Water is self serve. I like the have purse/bag hooks under your booth and place to hang up your jacket on the walls. Food is always consistent! I usually go with the recommendations notated on the kiosk for levels of heat, garlic, firmness of noodles. Love a jammy soft boiled egg, be aware you have to peel this when you receive it. They do a pretty brisk take out service as well. Join the rewards program if you plan to frequent. I'm a fan!!! read more

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I have never been to Japan before but after having Ramen here I am pretty certain that THIS! is what ramen is suppose to taste like! You order and pay upon entering on a virtual menu, best part is the suggestions while you order in case it's your first time or you're not sure what to get. You can't go wrong with the middle suggestions for modifying your ramen and if you like spicy but still tasteful 7 would be the way to go. Ramen was just amazing, flavor, texture, richness and spice wereSeating was flavor concentration booth style. It was clean and more comfortable than I thought, as my first time experiencing it, I enjoyed it. Fast and friendly service from beginning to end. I'm sad I don't live in the area or I would be here at least once a week read more

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By far this has been the best ramen I have had. I've had this location saved for a while now but never had enough time to stop by.... Finally made it in last Friday and I was impressed. Surprisingly, there was no line when we arrived around 6pm so we got seated not long after arriving. Once seated though, it got to be really busy. I ordered the original ramen bowl and just asked for my noodles to be on the firm side. Ordering is easy as you do it all on a tablet before you get seated. Once seated, we waited for our food. Our server was nice and she helped us right away. Even though we could not see her, she seemed very friendly. The ramen bowl was delicious. It was served very hot and the noodles were non stop. The meat was tender and flavorful, so delcious. Bathroom was clean. I totally recommend this place, it will not dissapoint! read more

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Ramen fix, stat! First time here, love the ramen and restaurant dining concept, it works for solo dining, quiet, I'm slurping! Blizzard warning...enjoying comfort food before this weather really rolls in! Service was amazing, kept it simple, but when that bowl of ramen is delivered, you are in heaven, sadistic tasting as no one around you can see your reaction as you are in a cubicle like setting, just you and the kitchen staff bringing you Ramen. DEFINITE RETURN! read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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I have been to Ichiran a few times before in NYC and also many times in Japan before. I got my usual order (full garlic, rich broth, spicy) and honestly, the ramen in Japan is better for only a fraction of the price. The problem is - i wouldn't be mad if my exact order tasted the same, but the issue is that i got the exact same ramen order and it tasted way off. The broth was not that rich and also they barely gave any spice even though I asked for the Spicy option. The servers were nice though, and the vibe is exactly the same. It's nice how it still remains a no tipping establishment in the heart of NYC. But for ~$25 for a ramen that doesn't come with an egg, I would eat ramen somewhere else. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

You can never go wrong with ICHIRAN. It is a must. I don't know any other ramen that compares to theirs. I tried a Jpop (alcohol) and wow it was so refreshing. It's perfect if you're alone and want something to eat you get your private lil booth. Service is always great here as well. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Jpop alcohol drink - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Brings me back to my time in Japan! You still in a stall after a long day work and you just eat. No talking; just eat. And the ramen is delicious. I didn't even leave a drop of broth left in my bowl. One of the best tonkastu ramen places in all of the world. Long lines; but it goes by fast. Ambiance is that of a traditional Tokyo station ramen house setting. read more

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There was a line but it went by fairly quickly! Matcha beer was surprising pretty good and the ramen always hits! Ichiran is always special because you get to eat alone and not feel awkward about it. The servers were also very friendly. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Matcha beer - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Was looking for something different besides the usual diner places. We walked a few blocks to Ichiran. There was a long line already when we arrived. My husband didn't mind waiting so we waiting. Once you enter, you are greeted and a kiosk is there for you to order off of. After you order, tickets are printed, 1 item per ticket since seating is counter with dividers between each diner. Dividers can be opened/folded inward so you can see and chit chat with your partner. Once you get your tickets, you move to the waiting to be seated line. As you wait, you can see their seating system on the wall, green light indicating which seats are free. The restaurant looks small, but there were a lot of seats inside. We waited about 10 minutes until we were seated. Once seated, there's posters informing you where self serve water is located. Your counter seat comes with a cup, napkin a d chopsticks. On the side are papers if you wanted to add something to your order. Anywho, the ticket you had with your order is placed on the counter, a staff member comes, opens up the little blind and greets you. They take your ticket and close the blind until they come back with your food. They will eventually come back to check on you, but for the most part leave you in peace. If you need them, you just press the button in front of you. Anywho, all of us ordered the Tonkostu ramen. We ordered a rice for the daughter at the counter since we forgot earlier. They just came by, picked up the sheet we filled out and brought over the credit card machine to charge us. Overall, food was delicious, very flavorful. Staff was friendly, nice and attentive. Would recommend and definitely would come back. read more

This spot was such a fun surprise while in NYC to see a show for the day. Hungry after the show, we decided to pop in after seeing a bit of a line outside of the restaurant. Once inside, we were able to order our ramen on screens, me being excited that there was a vegan/vegetable version, and wait in another short line while catching up. Once we were called, we each got to go to a numbered seat with partitions separating them and a window from which the ramen bowls came. The soup was tasty and delicious and also a healthy serving that made me full and happy! I would recommend this ramen spot when wanting some authentic eats near Radio City and Times Square. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Vegan ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Can't say enough good things ! This place...'Oohh ramen was delicious. The tonkotsu broth is out of this world; you can tell it's been cooked for hours because of the depth of flavor. That's what really makes them stand out from other ramen places. The noodles were perfectly firm, just the way I like them. Love it and will definitely be back soon! read more

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Excellent ramen. Unique dining experience. It's kinda like having your own personal booth. If you're in a group you can open the partitions. There were 6 of us and we had to split up? Service was very fast and soup was very hot! read more

Heard good things about Ichiran and it definitely lived up to the hype! It was just me and my friend and we were looking for a lunch spot on Saturday. We walked in and there was a small line, I think we ended up getting seated after waiting about 10 minutes. We both had the classic tonkatsu ramen, I did level 8 spice and my friend got level 10. The seating is nice because you can definitely come alone and have your own space. We were seated next to each other. If you need anything during your meal you can ring your bell which has someone come to your window and tend to you. The ramen itself was delicious. I loved the broth and the noodles and spice were great. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen - spice level 7 - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

This place reminds me of the traditional Japanese restaurant for solo party. There's an option to remove the divider if you want to. The line is always out the door. I got the veggie ramen with reduced sodium. It's flavorful but there's not that many toppings on there. Just a type of fungi and scallions. The noodles are firm and slurp-able. I think the ramen is good but not amazing. It's actually quite pricey for a regular bowl. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen veggies - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

When we saw Ichiran the first time there was a line of people waiting in the pouring rain for a block. There was no way I would wait in that line but it sure made me think it must be pretty good. Indeed it is. You order before you sit at individual stalls with sides you can open if your party is larger than 1. The ramen is delicious. The broth is to die for. Everything melded together beautifully. Still wouldn't wait in the pouring rain, but I can see why someone would want to. read more

Ramen perfection, as always! The service is top-notch. For a shorter wait, aim for after 2 PM when the line is minimal or nonexistent. Ichiran remains my go-to for a solo, customized tonkotsu ramen experience. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Tonkotsu ramen with spicy level 18 - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

We had a great experience at Ichiran in NYC. It was definitely busy and we arrived without reservations, but we were still seated relatively quickly, which was impressive given how popular it is!! The experience itself feels very authentically Japanese, with private solo dining booths designed so you can quietly focus on your ramen. With the server opening a bamboo curtain to deliver your food. It felt calm and reflective which was a nice contrast to the chaos of a busy NYC day. I also appreciated the hooks to hang out coats up. The classic tonkotsu ramen was incredibly flavorful and satisfying and the pork belly was lean and tender, not too fatty. My only small regret is that I wish I had ordered a spicier option, but even the level I chose was delicious. Overall, it was a wonderful, peaceful meal in the middle of a packed area of New York City. If you're looking for authentic ramen and a unique dining experience, this is absolutely worth it. read more

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One amazing bowl of ramen I love the whole concept of this restaurant! We ordered quickly at the front. You're seated at your own individual booth, but have the option to open up the middle divider if you come with someone else. I ordered the Classic Tonkotsu Ramen (Level 6) with all the fixings at the recommended levels, but I got firm noodles cuz I love al dente! Level 6 was the PERFECT heat level for me. I can handle quite a bit of spice. If you enjoy spice but don't have the craziest spice tolerance, I'd say a 3 might be perfect The broth was SOOOO flavorful! A tad on the salty side, but I didn't mind it. I loved the bite of the firm noodle. My only small comment was some of the bites of pork chashu were a little dry and I wish it was a bit fattier. Other than that, truly one of the most delicious bowls of ramen I've ever had!!! read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen, Level 6 - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Not the best ramen I've had in New York but still passable. The broth tastes pretty clean and isn't too salty. The noodles weren't very chewy but at least they weren't too soft. Chashu is on the lower quality side compared to others I've had. The experience itself was cool and the service was very fast. You don't pay tips too. Perfect for a quick in and out. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

I am absolutely floored by the 10/10 experience I had at Ichiran. Fair warning: there will be a line. We arrived just five minutes after opening and still had to wait... BUT it was completely worth it. The staff are absolutely wonderful: incredibly respectful, attentive, and welcoming throughout the entire experience. As for the setup, you're seated in individual cubbies, which are perfect for solo dining. That said, the dividers can be opened if you're dining with someone next to you. Each booth has buttons to call staff at any time, and you can even order additional items while you're eating. And the food unbelievably flavorful. Nothing short of delicious. This place is an absolute must-try. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Best. Ramen. I had my expectations pretty low esp cause I've had very good ramen in LA and this spot was in such a touristy area. And yet I was blown away. The broth was incredible with deep, rich flavors. Noddles were perfectly chewy. Service is super efficient, from bringing you to your individual booth to bringing you your utensils and food from the booth window. It's perfect. Definitely will be back. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Exceeded expectations! Good was delicious and plentiful. Spice and salt levels appropriate (and flexible too). read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Seating for 2 with open partition. - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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During a No Kings march, stopped in here for lunch. Place an order on a tablet up front. Enter the dining area, and find a seat at your designated spot. You have privacy with table top panels, that can be retracted. The servers in front of you are in their own partitioned area, but are available to answer questions. They presented me with toppings for my ramen first. I asked about the egg in a shell, and was assured it was soft boiled. All in all, a fun experience. The ramen is good too. I was told the gratuity is included. read more

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GOOD, BUT VERYYYYYY OVERPRICED * Price: I spent $36.47 for their classic tonkotsu ramen and a Calpico drink. I believe the drink was about $5 and the ramen was around $30, so expect to spend a lot. This is about three times the price of Ichiran in Japan so I think of this as a "you go once for the experience" type of place. There is no tipping. * Food: You cannot go wrong with Ichiran. I was very skeptical trying Ichiran in America but it wasn't too different. Very rich in flavor and super comforting. * Cleanliness and Setting: The seating is set up exactly like Japan. You have your own individual booth, and you can unfold the wooden divider if you want to sit with friends. You cannot see the behind the scenes or any of the people behind your seat, and you cannot see their hands when they pass you your food when the curtain is lifted. * Service: I was in and out very fast (excluding the line wait time). It was estimated at forty minutes to an hour when I called ahead and I got in within about thirty five minutes. Expect to stand outside a bit since there is no queue or reservation system. Once you are in, the host was very fun in energy and we were cracking jokes. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Classic Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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We lucked out with a short wait on a Friday afternoon - but honestly would have gladly waited longer for the food. The service was excellent, and servers attentive. The food was so good - the broth, the noodles and meat were enjoyed by my whole family and some even ordered seconds. Definitely a must go to if you're nearby read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

If you want to try authentic ramen without going to Japan, this is the spot. There's usually a line, so try to avoid weekends. It's a tip free establishment, which is rare in NYC. The pork ramen is the most popular dish, and you can add different toppings if you want. read more

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Has been 4 years since I've last been to Ichiran. The ordering system is a little different now, no longer on paper. It is on a kiosk! You order, then they seat you! The line moves very fast and food comes out quickly as well. I got the firm noodles with extra garlic and it was AMAZING! Rich and flavorful. Definitely get the set so you can get the additional toppings. The boiled Egg is ESSENTIAL! Love this place!! read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - 2026 - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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This was a unique but nice experience. You choose your food items, pay for it, then are led into the dining area that are separately partitioned off. My daughter and I were able to open one side so we can enjoy a conversation together. It's funny never get to see your server when they put your meal out as the partition is like a window shade, ...open to put the meal in front of you and close when they are done. There was a little bell to ring if you need anything. It was a really good experience like being in Japan. The ramen was really good and flavorful! I recommend to get an egg with your ramen!!! read more

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Everything 10/10!! Love that the soup was hot in temp. Flavorful, balanced, and delicious! Service is quick and kind. Worth the wait. Place makes me think of ichiran in Asia, love the culture representation throughout. Place has plenty of seating. Def gets so busy. One thing I would like would be the egg to be peeled already. Pretty hard to peel as it gets crumbly and ruin the egg. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Loved the concept and structure of Ichiran (perfect for introverts or if you just need a break to thoroughly enjoy a bowl of ramen in peace). All seats are bar seats and you have partitions you can take down if you want to converse with your party. They do one thing (ramen w/ delicious broth) and they do it well. No tip necessary either! The classic tonkatsu ramen was probably the best I've ever had because the broth was so flavorful. The ramen only comes with pork and scallions. You'll need to add toppings separately (eg egg - $3, extra chasu -$4.5). Long wait at 5:30, but the line moved fast and it's easier to get seated with 2 or less in a party. They don't do reservations. read more

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When I want a solid bowl of ramen, Ichiran comes to the rescue. There's lots of terrible food options around Times Square so this is one of my holy grails. Although at times its busy with a line going outside the restaurant, I think it's worth the wait. I like that you don't have to talk to the servers and can enjoy your food without any pressure. It's consistent in flavor and you can customize it as you please. The booths are private enough to have a great solo dining experience or you can open up the dividers if you're eating with friends.. Although I do keep mine up so I can eat like a piggy. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Serving the ramen in my cubby - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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My cousin recommended this place for us to try when we go to the city, so here we are.. tryi ng to get inline before the lunch crowd from the surrounding business flood in.. there's was already a line when we get there before 12.. but it move in an okay speed. You place the order at the machine and keep your receipt while waiting in line to be seated.. all of the is a single booth style sitting, but the diving "wall" can be removed and you can hang out and see the person next to you.. unique experience if you don't want to talk to people and it's definitely not for a big group of people the food was great!! Even I wish the chasiu is bigger! But then it is what it is... the matcha desert was rich and delicious!! But again, I wish it's bigger.. yes it's that good!! Overall it is a good experience and would love to go back again!! Now I want to try the original one in Japan! read more

I will preface this review with the fact that I've never been to Japan BUT I do love ramen and have had my fair share of ramen in NY, in Oakland and in SF. Ichiran is a no frills, consistent and comforting bowl of a ramen. I have NEVER had a bad experience here. Went last week and even with the cold front NY is having, ZERO wait at 6:15pm. I will say the portion of pork is small, so if you're looking for a protein dense meal, this isn't your spot, but with the execution of the perfectly cooked noodles and rich, warm, soothing broth, I will take this bowl EVERY day of the week. One side note, both my partner and I had a very difficult time peeling our own hard boiled eggs. That said, I love this place so much, not worth dropping a star. read more

No line at 6pm on a Wednesday and the staff worked quickly. We ordered on tablets and were seated as soon as they cleaned the booths. Very organized and you can see what seats were occupied. The food came out quickly and was delicious. Fast and simple. Pretty quiet and almost relaxing. read more

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I came back to this location after years, remembering my earlier visits here and to the branches in Japan. Things have really changed, and not in a great way. Everything is digital now. You order and pay at kiosks before being seated, then head to your booth and hand your receipt to someone behind a curtain. The ramen was just okay. It lacked flavor, and for $30, it was not worth it. The locations in Japan had a much wider variety and better depth of flavor. This felt like a watered-down version of what I remember. If you are looking for convenience, this might work for you, but the experience left me missing the warmth and authenticity of the past. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Came here on Saturday noon, and there was just a short wait of 5 mins or so. Fantastic ramen with a clean flavorful broth. I got the firm noodles, which were perfect in the beginning but it gets soft quickly so I'd try the extra firm next time. I got '2' for spicy which was a good amount to taste the spice but I actually liked the original broth a lot as well (mild). No tipping. The ambiance is peaceful and not noisy. We also ordered the matcha pudding which is full of matcha flavor and so silky. There's also a rewards program so sign up before you purchase to get the points. read more

ICHIRAN - Times Square - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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