I finally ventured into Hanada, a corner of the bustling district near the east exit of Ikebukuro, which I had been eyeing for a while due to its long queues. Recommendation: Vegetable extra-large serving (complimentary) is a must. Also, be sure to try the complimentary rice for finishing touch! Order: Miso Ramen - 830 yen Note: * On a weekday afternoon in Ikebukuro, there are many ramen shops within sight, but I opt for Hanada, which is the busiest. * When I say "queue," it involves buying tickets from the machine inside the shop first, then lining up. The tickets are collected when you get closer to the storefront after waiting in line. * Many shops specializing in miso ramen also offer spicy miso, but for my first visit, I go with the regular miso ramen. It's easier to judge the flavor that way. * I take advantage of all the complimentary services and request the vegetable extra-large serving, with garlic and rice. Exciting! * The interior is just a counter. They've maximized the layout in the narrow space. * Cooking is done right in front of the counter. While boiling noodles on one side, miso is added to the pot simmering with vegetables on the other side. This method allows the vegetables to absorb the flavor nicely. * The served miso ramen has a generous portion of thick chashu over simmered vegetables, topped with plenty of white scallions. * The soup is thick and sweet, reminiscent of vegetable potage, not as fatty as Ren or Sumire. It's a delightful surprise to find this kind of miso ramen. * Since the vegetables are stir-fried before being simmered in the soup, the miso flavor permeates them, which is delightful. While the vegetable extra-large serving is complimentary, I'd gladly pay for an even larger portion. I wonder if that's possible? * The noodles are thick and have a good chewiness, perfect for soaking up the soup. The chashu, despite being thick, is tender. Every component is excellently executed. Very satisfying. * Finally, I add half a serving of rice to the remaining soup. The thick soup pairs wonderfully with rice, making for a delicious finish. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Come again? ★★★★★ I love miso ramen, but it can be hit or miss. I've never really enjoyed miso ramen with less lard, so this shop is a breath of fresh air. Thinking about it this way, I'd say Hanada is one of the top five miso ramen shops in Tokyo. I definitely want to come back. Next time, I'll challenge the spicy miso. It's really regrettable that I hadn't come here sooner, despite having the opportunity. I'll be back for sure. Thank you for the meal!

I visited around 9 PM on a weekday and, perhaps due to good timing, there was no line, and I was able to enter within a few minutes. The spicy miso ramen cost 980 yen. Normally, I don't often choose miso-based options when going to a ramen restaurant, but I was able to appreciate the deliciousness of this miso ramen. The fat dissolved into the soup, creating a slightly thick and creamy texture that was perfect with the miso and fat - not too rich, not too salty, allowing me to fully enjoy the miso flavor. I chose the spicy miso option, but I didn't find it very spicy. The toppings included vegetables like bean sprouts and green onions, which had absorbed the soup, adding to the overall balance, which I personally really liked. The noodles were medium-thick and had a nice chewy texture, mixing well with the soup. It was the kind of miso ramen you'd want to eat when it gets cold.

I went around 1 p.m. on September 24th. There were about 15 people in line as usual at this popular shop. I ordered miso ramen. Unlike Sapporo-style miso ramen, it was rich and deeply flavored. The chashu was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and you can get extra vegetables for free, so I recommend getting the large serving.

I visited around noon on Sunday. Around 11 am, when the shop opened, there were already about 30 people lining up. As expected of a popular place, I still had to wait for over 30 minutes even though I arrived right at opening. This time, I had something like the Chashu Miso Ramen. The rich miso soup is delicious. I wonder if they use butter? The richness of the miso and butter is really good. The thick noodles go well with the rich soup. The chashu is thinly sliced and melts in your mouth, very delicious. Overall, it's a rich and delicious miso ramen. I definitely want to go again.

On Saturday at 1:00 p.m., there was a line of about 20 people when I arrived. I gave up and tried nearby ramen shops, but they were all full. When I walked by the shop again, the family who had been at the end of the line before had moved up to the point where they were about to enter the shop, so I decided to line up. About 40 minutes later, I was able to sit down. The miso ramen was ¥980. The taste was among the best I've ever had for miso ramen, truly surprising. The robust miso flavor, the aroma, and the chewy texture of the noodles complemented each other perfectly. The vegetables and chashu were also excellent. Next time, I want to get extra vegetables and rice. It's definitely worth the wait for this flavor.

Visited a miso ramen restaurant ranked in the top 5000 on Tabelog at 6:10 PM on Friday. Surprisingly, there was no wait as I was heading there, but two people entered before me. I bought my meal ticket and joined the line, only to find out it was full, so ended up behind two people. I've been here a few times, and usually, I don't have to wait much, especially when it starts raining just before I arrive. It's recommended to come when rain wasn't forecasted but suddenly starts. It had been raining a bit before, so it was getting chilly. Instead of opting for tsukemen, I chose the hot ramen, specifically the ajitama miso ramen for 1190 yen. When handing over my meal ticket, they asked about vegetables and garlic, so I requested extra vegetables only. It took about five minutes from buying the ticket to getting seated. Oh no, they seated me near the hot water, so it's quite warm! Maybe I should have gone for the tsukemen after all. It took around 15 minutes from seating until the miso ramen arrived. The noodles were more on the medium-thick side, and the soup was a thick miso soup with a strong salty oil flavor. It's so flavorful that it makes you crave rice. Well, I didn't order any since I had an all-you-can-eat lunch earlier. By the time I finished eating, there was quite a line. It seems like the best time to come is when it's raining, and those who lined up then are leaving. My body warmed up nicely, and the weather, which had turned cold due to the rain, now felt pleasantly comfortable. I'll come back to check it out again if it suddenly starts raining.

It was Friday, a little past 1:00 PM, and there were about five people in line. After buying the meal ticket and queuing up, someone came by to ask about our preferences, such as extra vegetables or complimentary smaller portions of rice for lunch. The vegetables were carefully stir-fried and then simmered, retaining their crunchiness while soaking up the flavors well. The richness of the miso ramen was just right.

Visited around 3 p.m. on a weekday to avoid the long weekend lines. Still had to wait behind about five groups, but got seated quickly. Ordered the miso ramen with extra vegetables. It lived up to its popularity, quite delicious with ample portions. Personally, the miso might not be my taste, so I'm unsure if I'd line up again for it. But for miso ramen enthusiasts, it could be a great choice.

I went to eat in Ikebukuro, and I think the wait was around 20 minutes at around 18:00 on a weekday. I ordered miso ramen with extra vegetables and garlic. The soup was delicious! I liked the added garlic, which enhanced the flavor even more. Considering all this, I thought ¥980 was a good deal! There are many ramen shops in Ikebukuro, so it might take a while before I visit again, but I would like to come back.

After a long time of not being able to find the right timing, my best friend and I finally made a reservation and went. Our expectations were high as we aimed for the opening time, and there were already customers waiting. Right at 11:30, the doors opened, and we were welcomed in. Following the previous customers, we took glasses of ice water that were ready for us and were told to choose any table we liked, so we moved towards the back. Since we had a reservation, we opted for the B course. But first, we tried the signature herbal juice, which was available as a free drink, and I poured some for both my friend and me. After drinking, the medicinal taste hit, making us conscious of our health! The appetizers were two lovely small dishes: sawara (Spanish mackerel) with fermented green onion sauce and a cold jellyfish dish. The jellyfish was crunchy, a texture completely different from the rubbery kinds elsewhere. Delicious! Next came the huge water dumplings, which everyone found very tasty. The herbal soup with them was lightly flavored, with tender burdock, chicken, and lily bulb, seasoned perfectly with a type of ginger called "yotou". It was delicious when everything was eaten together. For the main course, we chose to share, picking the black vinegar pork and mouth-watering chicken. The black vinegar pork made us wonder, "What is this?" at first, thinking it was eggplant, but it turned out to be sweet silky sweet potatoes. The texture of the Japanese yam was crunchy, and the black vinegar sauce was irresistible. The mouth-watering chicken was so delicious, tender, with the crunchy peanuts being addictively good. Underneath was eggplant—was it boiled? Steamed? It was so soft it melted in your mouth. Absolutely no complaints, and I definitely want to go again. Thank you for the meal.

Spicy miso ramen with extra vegetables and extra garlic, served with lunch rice, all for exactly 1000 yen. I've always given up due to the long queue, but finally made it to Hanada. It's hot out, so I went for the spicy option – the spicy miso. The extra vegetables make it quite visually appealing. Garlic comes on the side. Rice portion is small but cute. Now, a sip of the soup. Not too spicy, so I added some shichimi (Japanese seven spice) from the table. Nice to be able to adjust to your liking! Rich soup, plenty of veggies, and thick noodles – miso ramen truly is the best! The chashu looked too tender, worried it might fall apart, but it's delicious and lives up to the hype of a popular spot. The turnover isn't bad either, so I don't think you'll wait more than an hour even if there's a line! Thanks for the meal!

I often go shopping in Ikebukuro, and on my way back from Sunshine, I often pass by this ramen shop where there's always a long line. Tonight, passing by and seeing the line unusually short, I decided to give this place a try. When I got in line after buying my meal ticket, I opted for the regular ramen after some hesitation. I had imagined it would be like Sapporo-style miso ramen, but what arrived was more like a Jiro-style miso ramen. Mixing it up, surprisingly, it was quite light to eat. I ate silently, hoping for a delicious soup, but unfortunately, it turned out to be too thick to drink. Had I gone in expecting a Jiro-style ramen, I might not have been disappointed. It might not be exactly my preference, but it's still tasty ramen. Thanks for the meal.

This restaurant has always been a challenge. Even when passing by occasionally, there's always a long line. And this time too, just when I thought there wouldn't be any chance, miraculously there was one seat available. I was short on time, but managed to slip in somehow. Ordered the ramen with extra seasoned egg and pork slices at the ticket machine by the entrance. Took a seat at the counter. They had all the usual toppings - vegetables and garlic. A chef from a foreign country was cooking with impressive intensity right in front of me. It must be tough in the summer. After about 15 minutes, the bowl arrived. Wow, it looks rich. Started with a sip of the soup. Oh, just as I expected, the miso flavor hits you right away. The broth is also rich and delicious with a strong umami taste. The dipping noodles look good too. Next, I dug out the noodles. They seem to be from Sanpouya Noodle Company, with their chewy texture matching well with the powerful soup. The vegetable toppings are excellent too. Good both in quantity and taste. The pork slices are tender and tasty. The seasoned egg and bamboo shoots are decent as well. Added some garlic and slurped it up. Hmm, the miso soup punch is strong and overshadows the garlic. Finished it all in one go. No wonder it's so popular. On my way out, the line had gotten even longer. Thanks for the meal.

I had spicy miso chashu noodles and miso ramen. The spiciness is enhanced by the Sichuan pepper, so it's a bit spicy, but if you like spicy food, it's totally fine. Both soups were rich, and they paired well with the vegetables stir-fried in a Chinese wok. It was delicious.

I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen (¥1000) with the option to adjust the amount of vegetables and garlic. I also asked for extra noodles and extra garlic on the side for flavor enhancement. The broth is rich and slightly thick, with a noticeable sweetness from the miso. The noodles are thick egg noodles that blend well with the soup. The vegetables include bean sprouts and cabbage, sautéed with a slightly thick texture. Everything blends together seamlessly, with crisp green onions adding a nice touch. The tender and flavorful chashu pork adds to the overall experience. I added the garlic midway for an extra kick, and a sprinkle of table spice further intensified the flavor. The combination of miso ramen and spiciness was spot-on, making it enjoyable to devour. However, the restaurant was hot, the ramen was hot, and by the time I finished, I was sweating. Despite the small but deep bowl, the rich and thick miso ramen left a satisfying impression. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I arrived at this restaurant in Ikebukuro, which has been serving miso for over 10 years and has high ratings. It was around 11:05 am on a weekday, and the place was already full with a line of 7 people. They prompt you to purchase a meal ticket before getting seated. When handing over the ticket in line, they ask, "Would you like extra vegetables and garlic?" If you want the free small rice on weekdays, it seems you should mention it at this point. I was able to be seated in about 20 minutes. Despite being a miso place, the turnover was faster than I expected. The owner diligently stir-fries the vegetables in a pot before adding miso and soup. They put the noodles in a bowl first, then pour in the soup, and finally top it with vegetables. I ordered the Spicy Miso for 1000 yen (with extra vegetables and garlic, and free small rice). The bowl was a bit small, but it looked generous due to the extra vegetables. The soup was rich and mellow, though the spiciness was not too strong. The noodles were from Mikawa-ya, chewy with a slightly wavy and thick texture. The soup blended well with the noodles, and the vegetables were delicious. The extra garlic is served separately, allowing you to adjust as you like, which is convenient. The complimentary small rice on weekdays is also appreciated. There is apparently a branch in Ueno with similarly high ratings, so I must check it out. Thank you for the meal!

The miso was rich and slightly spicy, yet the ramen was light and simply delicious. It had a perfect balance. The chashu, in particular, was firm yet tender with a flavorful taste—simply excellent. This is a place I'd like to visit again. Next time, I'd like to try their regular miso dipping noodles.

I used to visit this place, but it had been over a year since my last visit. Today, I went there after seeing it featured on YouTube, but honestly, it wasn't good. Previously, the vegetables were more appealing, and the soup had a rich flavor that made you feel satisfied while eating. However, this time, the soup was too salty, lacking in umami, and didn't have the same richness from the beginning. Maybe the salty taste stood out because I was sweating in the summer, but I'm not sure. Interestingly, I noticed a change in the chefs - before, there were two Japanese chefs shaking the pot, but now there's one Japanese and one foreign chef. I wonder if the change in chefs has affected the taste. It was the worst taste I've experienced at Hanada so far. Come to think of it, a woman sitting next to me also left about 80% of her food uneaten, so maybe it's not just me; the food might have indeed become less delicious.

To Mr. Hanada, whom I've been wanting to try at least once, there were 5 people waiting outside on a weekday at 2 PM. I had the miso ramen for 980 yen, and I added a seasoned egg for 130 yen. When asked if I wanted extra vegetables and garlic, I chose both, making it incredibly rich. It was delicious. I was surprised by how rich it was with just the miso alone. I changed the flavor with garlic midway, which was also good. I was very satisfied. However, the restaurant was hot. It was so scorching that I couldn't even think about asking for the air conditioning to be turned on.

Visited just before lunchtime. Already about 5 people waiting, indicating its popularity. Ordered the basic miso ramen. Also got a small serving of rice as a service. Surprisingly small portion of rice. The miso ramen was delicious, even though I'm not a big fan of miso ramen. Still, it had a tasty flavor. I've eaten various dishes in Hokkaido, but this place is really good.

I went to this place yesterday after watching a movie. I usually go there every time I visit Ikebukuro, but it's always crowded, especially during this season, so I had been avoiding it. Yesterday, I went around 1:00 PM, and there were only about 10 people waiting outside, so I decided to go in. I was sweating a lot, but the miso ramen here is the best.