Honda Tokyo Noodle Works

Ramen was really good.
Line is long, but moves fast.
If you order dipping ramen, then you can ask for additional broth in the end so it’s not too salty.

Soy sauce flavored ramen is fairly different from other places in a good way - lighter but more complex flavors make overall tastes an impressive experience. The meat (roasted pork and chicken) is perfect - tender and juicy. Highly recommended.

Honda Tokyo Noodle Works seems to be known for its tsukemen/dipping ramen. When I got there, there was a line. And when there's a line, that's a good sign.

You buy your ramen from the ordering machine first, then wait in line. However, if you didn't know this like me and many others, a worker will check the line and inform you of this, and save your place in line.

The worker came to check on everyone in the line. I gave him my shellfish allergy card. He wrote back in Google Translate that their ramen contains oyster, and their only non-shellfish option was their chilled noodles. This option on their ordering machine was written in marker and was faded. I'm already here, so why not.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but this bowl was 🔥. Clean, cool, refreshing, light, not overly salty, and umami. The broth was seasoned with shoyu, had a prevalent kelp/seaweed flavor, and was actually slimy (from the kelp?). This bowl had the best noodles so far. Thick, had a great bite, and slippery for an easy slurping. Again, 🔥.

When I was given my bowl, one of the chef said something including the word "rice" while doing a scooping motion pouring into the bowl. My reaction, "Wakarimasen. Moichido onegaishimasu" (I didn't understand, can you repeat?). He repeated and I finally understood. After I'm done with the noodles, he can scoop rice into my bowl to finish. I responded, "Ahhhh, wakarimashita" (ahhh, understood). And that's how I finished this bowl.

I'll say this... after my Japan trip, out of all the ramen bowls I've had (Ichiran included), I've been non-stop craving for this chilled noodles ramen bowl.