Ichiran - My favourite ramen chain opening in HK

When I was contemplating my holiday plans for the second half of this year, I was seriously thinking of Tokyo. I'm a huge fan of Japanese cuisine, and I needed my fix of Ichiran ramen. Ichiran is, hands down, the best hakata style ramen I've eaten till date.

How good is it? Suffice to say, after I brought my mum to Ichiran for the first time, she asked to return the next day. And the day after next. Yes, we ate at Ichiran for three days running! And my mum doesn't even normally like to eat noodles. Of course, I was only too happy to oblige to her request!

Due to one reason or another, however, the Japan trip didn't work out. And I ended up booking flights bound for Hong Kong for September. So I was randomly surfing around OpenRice, shortlisting new eateries to try out on what would be my 10th trip to HK (my second home really). It sounds cliched, but my eyes nearly popped out when I spotted the word "Ichiran" under the page for "New Restaurants". What?!

To my absolute delight, it was true. Ichiran is opening its first international branch, at Causeway Bay in HK, on 11 Jul 2013! Excellent news, considering that HK is a few hours nearer Singapore than Japan (read: cheaper), and that I visit at least once a year. Now, I knew there must be a reason why my Tokyo trip wasn't happening. ;)

The HK branch is supposed to replicate the Japanese experience, both in taste and in ambience. Photos I've seen on the single review on OpenRice (the reviewer must have been invited for a foodtasting preview) seem to indicate that the operations work the same way too.

So, here's the lowdown on what to expect at Ichiran, based on my experience in Tokyo last February.

At the outside of the restaurant, locate the vending machines through which you order your food.

Order your noodles obviously, and any other extras (egg, spring onion, seaweed and the like) to go along.

Pay and collect your food tickets, and enter the restaurant.

Look out for the signboard indicating where the empty seats are.

The seats are partitioned into individual booths, so that nothing comes between you and your ramen. Seriously. It's not a place for you to sit for ages and catch up with friends.

After you get seated, fill up the form to customise your ramen.

Once done with making your life-changing decision, press the order button. The staff will collect your order chit.

In no time at all, your food will be served. The staff will now roll down the blind at your cubicle so that, as I said, nothing comes between you and your ramen! It's a wonderful, solitary experience.

The egg (a total must-have) comes separately, and complete with instructions.

Now eat to your heart's content. And then plan your next visit!

I never needed much reason to revisit HK, but Ichiran's foray into HK surely gives me added motivation to make my annual pilgrimage(s) there now. Looking forward to September. :)