Cheese + Ramen = Your Hearts Content

Warning: The following pictures will illuminate the most red and yellow you've ever seen. That's tomato and cheese. Tomato and cheese RAMEN. If that hasn't caught your attention well then I don't know what will. Taiyo-No-Tomato-Men will not leave you disappointed with cheesy-ness. There's a lot of stores placed in Tokyo so if you can't decide between a pizza and a bowl of ramen, then this is your answer. 

Cheese Ramen
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830 yen

Each bite is just as cheesy as the first. The powdered cheese on top will melt as you keep eating, so towards the end you'll have chunks of melted cheese to chew on which, I don't know about you guys- but is my favorite part of the meal. -Mari

The super cheesy ramen in tomato broth combo is amazing. Whoever thought it up was a genius. Every bite is deliciously cheesy and I would definitely eat it again. -Daniel

Persuaded yet? I am.

Cheese and ramen; God's gift.

Fried Cheese Dumplings
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370 yen (7 pcs.)

These were a definite when Daniel and I walked into the little restaurant. We were cold and starving from a long day and something cheesy and crispy sounded like it would hit the spot. These were pretty tasty and was like a snack consistency, I just wish they were hotter and gooey-er when they were served! -Mari

I have to agree with Mari. These were good, but they could have been better. They served them a little too cool and it just didn't have that umph. -Daniel

Ichiran (一蘭)

Ichiran is not just any ramen restaurant. It offers private booths to maximize the focus of just you and the hot bowl of ramen. You are given a list of options for the ramen (hardness of the noodles, thickness of the broth, level of spice etc.) so that you can have the ramen exactly how you like it. Lines are usually long especially during the afternoon or dinner time, but service is fast so you won't be waiting longer than 15 minutes till you're seated. It's just you and your ramen bowl from there.

Focus on the ramen and only the ramen

Tonkotsu Ramen
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780 yen

This is how I always want my ramen to be, thick noodles, pork broth soup,  and with just the right amount of Ichiran's famous 'red sauce'. -Mari 

I copied Mari with almost all the options, but I got medium noodles instead. The ramen was amazing. The little kick given from the red sauce and the rich taste of the pork broth gave it an awesome flavor. The noodles weren't too soft or too hard, and the char siu was extremely tender. - Daniel Hess

Are you hungry yet?

We couldn't get enough of these char siu slices!

Slurping noodles in Japan shows appreciation towards the food- you gotta do it! 

OVERALL

Ichiran is one of those restaurants that welcomes people who want to eat ramen alone in peace. It's definitely a must go if you're in town and want to experience a totally unique eating environment. It's not often you get to really focus on your food and its flavors when you're eating with company. Not to mention all you introverts out there, it's perfect! -Mari

久楽 (ku-Ra)

One of the first things I told Daniel about Japanese eating culture is it's okay to slurp ramen. Slurping emphasizes appreciation towards the ramen, so we slurped really loud today at ku-Ra.

味噌卵らーめん (Miso-Tamago Ramen)
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880 yen 

The miso-tamago ramen was amazing. When I tried the first spoonful of the broth I fell in love. It had a subtle kick that added the fifth star. The meat was flavorful, the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the egg had a semi-boiled yolk that seeped into the base. I felt bad leaving broth in the bowl when I was full because it was easily the best ramen I've had. -Daniel

Slurping away.

OVERALL:

The ramen was excellent, but the atmosphere could be better. The music choice was a little odd for a ramen restaurant ('Talk Dirty to Me' but hey if the ramen did that I wouldn't mind).

Afuri

Aaaaand we're back in Tokyo! Of course the first thing you have to eat when you're back in Japan is ramen.

Soy Sauce Ramen 醤油ラーメン
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750 yen

Afuri's ramen is more of a modern approach on one of Japan's most iconic dishes. The soup broth isn't as rich as locals might be used to, which is why it's great that you get to avoid the food coma afterwards. The char-siu (pork slice) is grilled in front of you as you order it, none of that packaged meat laying on the counter since the morning! The egg isn't completely boiled to the core either so the yolk melts into the soup and it's oh-so-great. It's definitely not heavy on the stomach so it's refreshing to the last bite. -Mari 

OVERALL

Afuri is the place to go if you're craving ramen but want to feel good about it afterwards. The service is great, the food is even better, and the atmosphere is interesting. The music is a little out there (listening to Nicki Minaj while you eat ramen), but it makes it fun. It's open until 4 a.m. so all you party goers (or night owls) could finish a great night with a great bowl of ramen. -Daniel