All You Need to Know about Jiro-style Ramen
Updated: Jul 23
Jiro-style ramen (or Jiro-kei ramen) is a style of ramen that originated in Tokyo, Japan, and is gaining popularity for its hearty and indulgent qualities from people all over the world. Named after the famous ramen restaurant "Ramen Jiro," this style of ramen is characterized by its bold flavors, generous portions, and unique toppings.
Table of Contents
What is “Ramen Jiro”
Source : tripadvisor
Ramen Jiro Mita Honten is a legendary ramen restaurant in Tokyo, renowned for the originator of the Jiro-style ramen. Restaurants offering ramen similar to “Ramen Jiro,” founded by Takumi Yamada, are called “Jiro-style Ramen,” and have gained such cult-like popularity that there are now stores all over Japan.
The hallmark of Ramen Jiro is its emphasis on quantity and variety of toppings. When ordering at Ramen Jiro, customers can expect a mountainous bowl of ramen loaded with ingredients such as thick slices of pork belly (chashu), bean sprouts, cabbage, garlic, and often a generous dollop of raw garlic and lard. These toppings not only add texture and flavor but also contribute to the hearty and indulgent nature of the dish.
The broth at Ramen Jiro is typically thick and rich, simmered for hours to extract maximum flavor from ingredients such as pork, cores of cabbage, garlic and backfat. Plus, this soup is seasoned with soy sauce. The result is a creamy, savory broth that clings to the noodles and provides a satisfying umami experience with each slurp.
In terms of noodles, Ramen Jiro usually offers thick, chewy noodles that are cooked al dente to maintain their texture and stand up to the hearty broth and toppings.
Compare to General Ramen and Jiro-style Ramen
Jiro-style ramen is of course technically ramen, but it is somewhat different from any other ramen. Here are the differences between general ramen and Jiro-style ramen restaurants in Japan.
How to Order
General Ramen
After sitting down, look at the menu and order from the waiter when you have decided.
Jiro-style Ramen
1. Choose a size and buy a ticket from a vending machine. Choose your size: 小 (sho - small) or 大 (dai - large).
2. Sit & Present Your Ticket. Protocol for seating may differ from location to location, so it's best to follow the staff’s lead. Once seated, try not to stand up until you are done. Place your ticket on the raised countertop in front of you so the staff can see it. 3. Tell a staff about toppings. Just before the bowl comes your way, you will be asked, “Ninniku iremasuka?” (ニンニク 入れますか？- Add garlic?), referring to chopped raw garlic. This question is also an invitation for you to ask for extra toppings (more on that later). Alternatively, they may ask "Toppingu wa?" (トッピングは？- Toppings?). If you are a beginner, stick with these responses: - “Sonomama” (そのまま - Just as is) or "Deforuto" (デフォルト - Default) if you - don’t want garlic, but want normal amounts of veggies and pork fat. - “Ninniku onegai shimasu” (ニンニクおねがいします - Garlic, please) - “Ninniku sukuname” (ニンニク少なめ - A bit of garlic)
Portion of Noodles
General Ramen
Regular size: about 180g Medium size: about 300g Super size: about 400g
Jiro-style Ramen
Small size: about 300g Large size: about 400g~500g
Toppings
General Ramen
Varies from restaurants and flavors, but general toppings are thinly sliced pork chashu, a few seasoned bamboo shoots, a little green onion, and a boiled egg.
Jiro-style Ramen
Generally there are four basic toppings: garlic, vegetables, abura, and karame. The amount of all toppings can be adjusted if you ask for it. All toppings except garlic are included without addition. Garlic: Freshly chopped garlic. You must choose whether you want garlic or not. Vegetables: Boiled cabbage and bean sprouts. They are already in large quantities. Abura: Seasoned pork back fat. Karame: Tare (sauce) to make the taste stronger, mainly soy sauce.
All toppings except garlic are already in the right amount. It is possible to increase the amount of toppings, but if you are trying it for the first time, recommend no to adjust it and eat it as it is to enjoy the original taste of that.
3 Best Jiro-style Ramen in Tokyo
Tokyo is home to several renowned ramen restaurants that specialize in Jiro-style ramen. Here are 3 best jiro-style ramen to go in Tokyo. The following information below is current as of May 2024. These are subject to change, so please check each official websites in advance.
The Ramen Small Ax
Source : tripadvisor
The Ramen Small Ax is located a 2-minute walk from Oimachi Station. Compared to other Jiro-style ramen, the amount of noodles is smaller, so it is recommended for those who are trying it for the first time. The well-seasoned and lightly oiled chashu pork, plenty of vegetables, and broth are well balanced to create a superb bowl of ramen that is not overpowering in flavor.
Hours Weekdays 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM *Close on weekends and national holidays
Map
Yojimbo Hongo
Source : tripadvisor
Yojimbo Hongo is located a minute walk from Todaimae Station. The atmosphere here is comfortable for a woman to enter alone, and the staff is friendly and helpful, making it easy for first-timers. The noodles themselves are salty and strong enough to stand up to the soup. The vegetables are crispy and crunchy, and the chashu pork is tender and delicious.
Hours 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Sundays 11:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Map
Ramen Jiro Kabukicho
Source : tripadvisor
Ramen Jiro Kabukicho is located a few minutes walk from Shinjuku station, so it is good for shopping around here. The restaurant's exterior wall and sign are yellow and very conspicuous. The soup has a strong taste, the noodles are thick and chewy, and there is a large amount of vegetables. The soup is not diluted by the water from the vegetables, and you can taste every last drop.
Hours 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM *Close on Wednesday
Map
Before You Go to Jiro-style Ramen
Jiro-style ramen restaurants can be found all over Japan, but it is difficult to find one that offers an English menu, making it a big hurdle for foreign tourists who do not speak Japanese. Also, because of the unique rules, it is recommended to go with someone who is fluent in Japanese or on a ramen tour if you are going there for the first time. If you are going on a tour, please contact them in advance to let them know that you want to go to Jiro-style Ramen.
With multiple locations across Japan, Jiro-style ramen has become a must-visit destination for ramen enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned regular, Jiro-style ramen promises a hearty and satisfying meal that's sure to leave you feeling fully satisfied. Please try it when you come to Japan!
Patia’s Jiro-style Ramen Making Class in Tokyo
We run Japanese cooking classes in Tokyo. We also offer a Jiro-style Ramen making class with an English-speaking instructor. In this class, participants can go to a grocery store in Akihabara to buy ingredients, make Jiro-style ramen from scratch, and eat it. We are hoping you to enjoy Japanese food experiences and create unforgettable memories in Tokyo.
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