Priority seating criticized; Ichiran representative: $6,000 threshold aims to limit crowd size

▲ Ichiran Ramen has set a $6,000 gift purchase threshold for its priority seating service to manage crowd size through pricing. (Photo/Credit: Huang Shih-yuan)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Ichiran Ramen, which faced backlash for bringing Japan’s priority seating service to Taiwan, was represented today (15th) by its overseas PR officer Ayaka Hanai, who offered an explanation and apologized for the lack of clarity. According to a CNA report, the “Ichiran Fast Entry” priority seating service introduced at the Taiwan flagship store does not limit the number of daily users. The $6,000 gift purchase threshold is meant to use price as a way to limit the number of people.

Ichiran Ramen recently announced on Facebook that its Taipei flagship store will implement the “Ichiran Fast Entry” priority seating service, where purchasing gifts worth more than $6,000 in-store allows two people to enjoy priority seating. This service also exists in four stores in Japan and was created as a reward for customers who buy a lot of souvenirs. As written in the CNA report, Hanai stated:Anticipating a large number of early customers eager to try the Taipei flagship store when it opens, the $6,000 price for two priority seats was set to prevent the priority queue from becoming longer than the regular one.The priority seating service at the Taiwan store will not be canceled, but adjustments will be considered after hearing feedback from all sides.

Additionally, regarding claims by National Taiwan University Law School professor Lee Mao that the food uses pre-packaged ingredients, Hanai clarified that it absolutely does not use pre-packaged meals—instead, professional chefs are responsible for making the broth and noodles.


▲ Ichiran clarifies that pre-packaged meals are not used. (Photo/Credit: Reporter Chi Hsiang-ju)