Ramen Jiro Mita Honten

There are ramen shops, and then there’s Ramen Jiro. This unassuming spot in Tokyo’s Mita neighborhood is where it all began—the original location of what has become one of Japan’s most iconic and imitated ramen styles. The experience here is stripped down to the essentials: no frills, no fancy decor, just pure, unapologetic ramen worship.

The star of the show is their signature Jiro-style bowl—a towering mountain of thick, chewy noodles swimming in a rich, soy-based tonkotsu broth with clouds of pork fat floating on top. Each bowl comes piled high with tender chashu and a generous heap of bean sprouts and cabbage. The real kicker? Heaps of raw minced garlic that you can add for an extra punch. These portions are legendarily massive—even the “small” size dwarfs a typical ramen serving elsewhere.

This is a pilgrimage site for serious ramen devotees, known as “Jirorians,” who appreciate the no-nonsense approach. Don’t expect napkins or extensive amenities—you’re here for one thing and one thing only. The line will almost always snake down the street, but that’s just part of the ritual. Come hungry, come patient, and come ready to experience ramen in its most gloriously excessive form.

If you’re looking for a refined, delicate bowl of noodles, look elsewhere. But if you want to understand what makes Tokyo’s ramen culture so obsessive and devoted, Ramen Jiro Mita Honten is essential eating. Just remember: when in doubt, order the small.