Ginza Hachigo is a well-known ramen shop in Ginza. It quickly gained popularity and has been ranked in the top 100 ramen shops for 4 consecutive years. It has even received a Michelin star, not just a Bib Gourmand. It is considered one of the best ramen shops in Tokyo and is consistently in the top 10. Currently, it has a rating of 3.93 on Tabelog and is ranked 8th in Tokyo. The queue is always long, even on weekdays, with a wait time of about 2 hours. Today, despite the scorching heat, I decided to challenge myself. I arrived at the shop at 9:30 AM and was 15th in line. The line extended to about 10th place next to the shop, and beyond that, people were lining up along the sidewalk. The sun was intense, and I was sweating profusely. There were many foreign tourists in line, almost exclusively. By 10 AM, there were about 30 people in line. Around 10:40 AM, the staff came to confirm the number of people in line, and we started buying meal tickets one by one. I ordered the Special Ramen for ¥1400. The shop opened at 10:40 AM, and I entered the shop at 11:25 AM. The shop has only 6 counter seats, and the kitchen and counter have a clean and traditional Japanese feel. Each detail is of high quality, from the thin glasses to the chopsticks with the shop's name stamped on them. The chef, who previously worked as the head chef at the Kyoto ANA Hotel, prepares each dish meticulously. The ramen was ready within 2 minutes of being seated. It had a beautiful presentation, with simple toppings of green onions, bamboo shoots, chashu pork, and an egg. The noodles were firm and had a good chewy texture, with a nice wheat aroma. The soup was exceptional, with a refined chicken base combined with seafood and dried ingredients, creating a deep and harmonious flavor. The chashu pork was incredibly delicious, with a rich and tender texture that melted in my mouth. The finishing touch of pepper caviar added a nice accent. The service was also excellent, with the staff offering water, hojicha tea, and a warm send-off. I spent about 15 minutes from entering the shop to leaving, and it was a satisfying experience that made me forget about the heat outside.

I arrived at the restaurant around 8:40 am on Saturday after reading reviews on Tabelog. The restaurant was closed, but there were already 9-10 people, including foreigners, waiting in line. The line started moving before 9 am, and they began selling meal tickets and distributing numbered tickets. I was given a ticket in the 50s for 2 pm. I went home and returned later. I arrived before 2 pm, and was seated around 2:10 pm. The restaurant had a unique atmosphere with only 6 counter seats and solemn music playing. The ramen arrived quickly. The soup had a delicious broth, but compared to typical ramen, it seemed a bit light. I was worried about the flavor, but when I tried the noodles, they were delicious with a perfect balance of saltiness and broth. The chashu was incredibly tender and flavorful. The bamboo shoots were crunchy and easy to eat. The seasoned egg enhanced the natural flavors. The more I ate, the more I enjoyed the depth of the soup's flavor. It was so good that I couldn't stop drinking it. If you're used to strong flavors, this ramen might not be satisfying, but for me, it became my number one ramen.

This popular restaurant always has long lines. I saw online that they distribute same-day tickets starting from 9:00, so I decided to give it a try. I ordered a dish with truffles and foie gras for 2,200 yen. The ramen itself was rich yet light enough that I could finish all the soup. The truffle and foie gras flavors from the wontons matched well with the ramen. I would recommend this place.

I learned that there are new menu items and during the hot season, instead of lining up, they give out numbered tickets. I arrived at around 7:40 AM with my sleepy eyes, and there was already one couple waiting. As soon as I arrived, the door opened and I purchased my food ticket from the machine. They also have a machine to exchange high denomination bills, so I felt relieved. I received a numbered ticket and was told to gather at the specified time. It was a bit early, but I got my ticket with zero wait time, so I can't complain. I ordered Ravioli Grumandis, Chinese noodles, meat rice, and an Ebisu beer. The owner gave a detailed explanation of the meat rice, which I appreciated. The soup for the Chinese noodles was made perfectly, so I poured it generously over the meat rice with Ravioli toppings and finished eating and drinking everything.

As of September 2023, one of the three Michelin-starred ramen restaurants in Tokyo. This restaurant was opened by Chef Muramatsu, who is known for creating the famous shio ramen at Kanemoto. The ramen here is famous for not using ramen sauce in the soup, which gives it a softness similar to French consomme soup, with a distinct aroma and umami of mushrooms. The noodles are medium-thin straight noodles developed with the noodle maker, Karasu, from Asakusa Kaika-ro. They have a satisfying texture when chewed and perfectly complement the soup. The toppings include chashu, menma, and a little green onion. The chashu is seasoned with a hint of pepper, giving it a unique aroma. Like other popular light ramen, each bowl here is a complete dish, with noodles, soup, and toppings finishing almost simultaneously. It seems like it might be possible to avoid the ticket scramble, so I hope to visit again soon.

I visited a popular ramen shop called Hachi-Go where you have to go early in the morning to eat. Despite a typhoon, I arrived around 9 am to find a line of 10 people. I got my ticket at 9:30 am and my time slot was at 12:30 pm. I ordered the special ramen, which had thickly sliced chashu, fat menma, green onions, and an egg. The soup was not too salty or too bland, leaning towards a light flavor. The chashu was tender and my favorite part of the dish. Overall, I thought it was delicious, but if I had to rate it, I would give it a 3.9 out of 5. The soup was a bit blurry in flavor, and I'm not sure if I would wait in line early in the morning to eat here again. Thank you for the meal!

Arrived at 8:56 on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and got the 58th spot. I was impressed by a bowl of ramen in the pre-COVID era! I moved to Tokyo and tried to go on a Saturday once, but couldn't get a ticket... On my second attempt on a weekday, I managed to get the second-to-last spot! There seemed to be a mysterious 60th person, but I'm not sure about that. After getting the ticket, I went to You to eat omurice, then went home once before arriving again just before 1:50 p.m.! It's been a while since I last had it, and I noticed a change in the taste!! It used to taste more like Kanagawa ham... Maybe my taste buds have become more refined? The price has also gone up, giving it a more luxurious feel, but it was really delicious ramen! The menma was a taste I had never tried before, and I was surprised! The houjicha served at the end was just as good as always. It's so refreshing and delicious that I wish every restaurant would serve it. Thank you for the meal.

The hurdle of having weekends off was high, but now it has shifted to having Mondays off, lowering the hurdle. However, with reports of waiting for several hours circulating online daily, I lacked the courage and confidence to wait in the scorching heat. Eventually, due to the record-breaking heat, they decided to implement a ticket system for the summer period. I arrived around 8 am, and there were about 10 people waiting in line. More people gathered as time passed, and within no time, there were around 30 people in line. The news of Justin Bieber eating here spread worldwide, attracting more inbound visitors. The ticket distribution started around 8:30 am, and I received the 18th ticket for the 11:15 am slot, so I left temporarily. I couldn't imagine waiting for almost 3 hours in this heat, so I had to leave. When I returned at the scheduled time, there were already people waiting around the area. Unfortunately, they had already sold out for the day, and some people left disappointed. The seating was limited to counter seats with a capacity of 6 people. The interior had a solemn atmosphere resembling a high-end sushi restaurant rather than a ramen shop. I ordered the limited edition Ravioli Gourmet Dudes Chinese Soba, and I was served promptly. The ramen incorporated French techniques with truffles and foie gras, making it a luxurious dish. The ramen industry is becoming more high-end, and some ramen shops are targeting a very limited audience. The Ravioli, which looked like wontons, had a unique Italian touch in the Japanese and Chinese fusion soup. The neatly folded noodles had a slightly firm texture, and the toppings like seasoned bamboo shoots and oversized char siu added a ramen-like essence. The standout was the scattered truffle pepper, which gave a unique flavor to the dish. Overall, it was a one-of-a-kind taste combining French, Chinese, and Japanese elements.

I visited "Ginza Hachi-Go" near Higashi-Ginza Station for the first time. This shop operates on a ticket system where tickets are distributed in order of arrival, so I had to wait until my turn. I tried the "Ravioli Gourmet Chinese Ramen," which features a beautiful clear pork bone soup with a golden shine and ravioli on top. The combination of the slightly chewy low-hydration straight thin noodles and the soup was excellent. By melting the ravioli, the aroma and flavor of truffles and foie gras spread, offering a different taste experience. It was a meticulously crafted and delicious dish. I enjoyed the unique soup that you can't find elsewhere.

Hachigo in Ginza is a high-end ramen shop with only 6 seats at the counter. It's quite difficult to get in as it's Michelin recommended and in the top 100 list. Their special ramen with thin and slightly firm noodles is priced at ¥1400 and it's top-notch. The thick and flavorful bamboo shoots are of high quality, so much so that they shouldn't be called "menma" but rather "takenoko" (bamboo shoots). Highly recommended for ramen enthusiasts looking for a premium experience in Ginza.

[Ginza Hachi Go] ★ 1F, First Hanabusa Building, 3-14-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku ★ Ajitama Chuka Soba ★ 1250 yen (tax included) *It seems that the price will increase from September. This ramen has a taste similar to high-end French cuisine, with the saltiness and umami of the prosciutto adjusting the soup. The gentle flavor makes it feel like you're drinking the soup, but it pairs well with the thin noodles. The pepper-seasoned chashu is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and you can eat as many slices as you want! They start giving out numbered tickets early in the morning, but it's a ramen that you definitely want to try at least once! ✨

I arrived around 9:15 am on a regular day and waited in line with 2 or 3 people for a few minutes to receive a ticket for 12:50 pm. It seems like the system is to purchase a meal ticket, hand it to the staff, and receive a ticket in return. I wish they would allow reservations on the internet, even if they increase the price. However, I wonder if it would lead to a rush of reservations. When I returned around 12:40 pm, there were about 3 people in line. The staff came out to confirm the ticket numbers. Around 12:55 pm, we were seated inside the restaurant, which had a Japanese-style interior. The ramen was prepared meticulously and served within 2-3 minutes. The presentation was so beautiful that it almost felt like a waste to eat it. The soup was surprising, with a taste reminiscent of a high-end French consommé, yet still a satisfying ramen soup. I could have kept drinking it forever; it was that delicious and unique to this place. I enjoyed the meat rice dish with a touch of Western-style wasabi, and at the end, I poured the ramen soup over it, which was also very tasty. The soup was so delicious that it made everything taste better. Finally, I drank the roasted green tea served at the end. I will definitely line up for this place again. It's just too good to miss out on.

I visited the famous restaurant Hachigo in Ginza. This was my first visit since they reopened after a temporary closure. The restaurant has changed its system quite a bit. Due to the pandemic, they switched from a ticket system to a registration system, then to a queuing system, and now they are using a ticket system again for the summer season. The ticket system has its limitations in terms of the number of customers and the burden on the staff, but it's still preferable to waiting outside for hours without seating. I arrived at the restaurant around 8:45 am for the 9:00 am ticket distribution. There were already about 5 people in line. I found out that ticket distribution had started earlier, so the turnover for tickets wasn't great. After waiting for about 5-6 minutes, I received my ticket with the number 47 for 12:55 pm. It was impressive to see how popular the restaurant has become compared to before. I passed the time by watching a movie and arrived at the restaurant around 12:50 pm. I was seated and served within 2-3 minutes. Both the soup and noodles were delicious and of high quality, but I felt that they had changed slightly from before. The special ramen came with 2 slices of chashu, a seasoned egg, menma, Kyoto leeks, and a spice-like rock salt sprinkled on top. The spice seemed quite strong. The chashu was tender and fatty without being greasy. The texture of the noodles felt different, perhaps due to a change in flour. Overall, if they continue with the ticket system, I would like to visit again.

Ginza Hachi-go has implemented a ticket system, which is convenient because it only takes a few seconds to walk from home. I have visited this place four times this summer, and the ticket system seems to be catching on. Previously, if you arrived by 10 a.m., you were fine, but now they start distributing tickets at 9 a.m. Today, I arrived at 8:45 a.m. and was able to purchase the 37th ticket for a seat at 12:25 p.m. If you line up at 9 a.m., you might just make it or miss out completely. The staff mentioned that they plan to continue the ticket system for the time being. It only takes about 20 minutes to get a ticket, a huge improvement from the previous 2-hour wait. I always order the simple Chuka Soba for 1100 yen. When you arrive on time, you get your ramen quickly without much waiting. I always enjoy the soup without mixing anything, savoring the broth made with Nagoya Cochin chicken, duck, kombu, dried shiitake mushrooms, dried tomatoes, and various vegetables. It is left to sit for a day and then flavored with prosciutto and fleur de sel, a type of sea salt. After enjoying the soup, you get to savor the firm and chewy custom-made noodles from Kaika-ro, topped with tender char siu, green onions, and bamboo shoots. I always finish the soup as well. The cold roasted green tea they serve is a nice touch. It's always delicious no matter when you eat here! As long as they have the ticket system, I plan to visit once a week!

I haven't visited for a long time, but Ginza has become crowded with foreigners, and there are many lunch refugees. Among them, this place seems to be one of the top popular spots. Unlike a certain chicken broth restaurant with many Chinese customers, this place gives the impression of having more Western customers. Despite arriving at 8:50 for the ticket system, I was already 22nd in line. Some people had been waiting since before 7 a.m., even though the announcement said they would start at 9 a.m., which was a bit surprising. We were seated at 11:35 as scheduled, only 5 minutes late. Shortly after, the special Chinese soba noodles priced at 1400 yen arrived. The clear soup resembled consomme soup. The noodles were firm, the thick pork belly chashu was generous, and the simple toppings of green onions and seasoned egg looked noble. The spice on the chashu was Madagascar pepper caviar, a wild pepper that left a strong black pepper aftertaste. I finished every drop of the soup. Thank you for the meal.

I arrived around 8 o'clock on Friday, and they started taking reservations at 8 o'clock even though my slot was at 9. I decided to wait until my 10:40 slot, so I spent time wandering around and relaxing at a cafe until around 10:30 when I returned to the restaurant. By then, all the reservation tickets were sold out, showing how popular it is. The taste was elegant and had a subtle sense of luxury, although I felt like the toppings were a bit lacking. Overall, it was delicious.

2023.8.11 2023-367 Ginza Hachigo ◎ Special Chinese Soba + Meat Rice 1900 yen (1400 yen + 500 yen) purchased a meal ticket. During the summer period, numbered tickets are distributed. Distribution starts at 9:00 AM on business days, but it may start earlier. Visited on the first day of summer vacation, ordered the usual set. The soup was delicious as always, with a more prominent flavor of pepper caviar than before. The noodles were thin straight noodles with a slightly firm texture. Toppings included green onions, menma, seasoned egg, and simple chashu. The chashu was large and thick slices of tender pork belly, very tasty. Ate the meat rice without sauce, with diced tender chashu and a hint of pepper. Added soup halfway through and finished it all. Recently, the regular holiday has been changed to Sundays and Mondays, so it seems possible to visit regularly on Saturdays. The "Ravioli Gourmandise" offered on Hachigo Day on 8/5 will be regularized, as indicated by a button on the ticket machine. Looking forward to it. Thank you for the meal! (人´∀`*) #Ramen #Tsukemen #GinzaHachigo #RamenMemo #Noodlestagram #Chuo-ku, Tokyo #ExperimentNoodleLift #ChashuLift

The ticket system seems to be mainly for preventing heatstroke during the summer, so I've been able to go four times this summer. It seems like the ticket system is becoming more popular, as they start distributing tickets at 9 am and lately they seem to finish around 10 am. On some days, they finish around 9:45 am. Today, I arrived at 9:45 am and got ticket number 55 for the 1:30 pm slot, so I think they probably finished distributing tickets before 10 am. Every time, I get the simple Chinese noodles for 1,100 yen, so even though the angle of the photo is the same, this time I took close-ups of the toppings and soup. It was delicious as always!

I visited a Michelin 1-star restaurant around 10am on a weekday and managed to secure a waiting ticket for one of the remaining seats. I made a reservation for 1:30pm and ordered the special ramen for 1400 yen. The broth was elegant with a rich depth, the noodles were firm and thin, the ham-like but flavorful chashu was delicious, and the thick menma and spices added complexity to the dish. It was a truly exquisite bowl. Thank you for the meal.

Although there are no photos of the highly anticipated Hachi-Go, I ordered a rice dish. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a first-class traditional Japanese restaurant, with a quiet and calming ambiance. The ramen, despite lacking a strong broth base, has a solid structure, aroma, and a well-balanced umami flavor. It may be difficult to get to, but I would definitely want to visit again.

I visited Ginza Hachigo for the second time. During the summer, they operate on a ticket system, so I received a ticket a little after 9:00 and was scheduled to be seated at 12:30. It's great that the line was shorter this time. I ordered the special ramen. The soup was very delicious and refined. It's an exceptional dish that I would love to eat again.