Can't get a seat at Ippudo? Try these 3 other famous Japanese tonkotsu ramen shops

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Compiled by staff

Since its opening on June 15, Ippudo has not only been a hot topic but also set a record for the longest continuous queue in Hong Kong. Although the hype has died down slightly recently, diners still have to wait 1–2 hours during peak hours to get a bowl. In fact, in recent years, Japanese ramen chains have continued to expand into Taiwan. Aside from Ippudo, there are three other ramen shops in Taipei that also come from Japan and feature tonkotsu broth — their flavors are no less impressive than Ippudo’s.


▲ Ogawa Ramen. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Ogawa Ramen
Ogawa Ramen hails from Tokyo, Japan, and offers just one type of ramen — rich tonkotsu ramen. It has four branches in Tokyo and Kanagawa, and its Taiwanese outlet is its first overseas store. The soup at Ogawa Ramen is made by simmering pork bones for 13 hours with constant stirring, resulting in a rich yet non-greasy broth without any porky smell. As for the noodles, they are also house-made, with the noodle-making machine located in a corner of the shop.

Regarding the saltiness, Ogawa Ramen’s general manager, Ogawa Takashi, hopes to bring the authentic Japanese flavor, but considering Taiwanese people generally prefer milder tastes, the ramen can be adjusted upon request. “Normal” is the original flavor; if you’re worried it might be too salty, you can opt for “light” or “a bit light.” If you find it not salty enough, you can add more ramen sauce yourself. What is ramen sauce? It’s a clear sauce made by Ogawa Takashi using kelp, bonito flakes, and salt. The more you add, the saltier and richer the flavor becomes.

Address: No. 190, Section 2, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City


▲ Ichido Haku Tonkotsu Ramen. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Tonkotsu Ichido
In Japan’s popular food website Tabelog’s ranking as the NO.1 Tokyo ramen king, “Menya Ichido,” “Tonkotsu Ichido” is its sister brand, located on B2 of Taipei Uni-President Department Store. It offers several ramen options: signature rich seafood ramen, Ichido Haku Tonkotsu Ramen, tonkotsu seafood tsukemen, and Taiwan-exclusive Spicy Twelve Aroma Ramen, priced between NT$190 and NT$300.

Compared to Menya Ichido, which uses chicken broth as its base, the four ramen varieties at Tonkotsu Ichido — rich seafood ramen, Ichido Haku Tonkotsu Ramen, and tonkotsu seafood tsukemen — all feature tonkotsu broth as the main flavor. The broth is simmered for 14 hours using pork backbone and leg bones until they dissolve, creating a rich, gelatinous texture with a creamy feel. Its taste differs from the ramen and tsukemen at Menya Ichido. Shop manager Wang Yiren explained that the rich seafood ramen is actually a tonkotsu-based seafood broth ramen. The broth is blended with a proprietary golden ratio of tonkotsu and seafood, then simmered over medium heat to achieve a savory yet not overly heavy or salty flavor.

Address: B2, No. 8, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

Yamaramen
Yamaramen comes from Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan, and enjoys some local fame. Its signature white soup ramen features a tonkotsu broth that is rich yet not greasy, allowing many customers to finish the broth along with the noodles. Another highlight of Yamaramen’s broth is the addition of fresh pork back fat — though it may look oily, it doesn’t taste greasy when eaten.

Address: No. 29, Lane 51, Section 1, Da’an Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2779-1221