In Japan, there’s one ramen chain known for its vast portions. It’s also known for its long list of unspoken rules. Now, one shop in the chain is adding another gut-busting rule that some Japanese Internet users say is impossible to obey.
Busting guts since 1970
Ramen Jirō is known for its super-sized portions with plenty of garlic, chashu (pork belly), and sprouts. A “small” bowl at Jirō is larger than many “regular” bowls at other joints, while a “large” is twice as large as a large elsewhere. Jirō is so (in)famous that many “Jirō-style” (二郎系; jirou-kei) imitators have sprung up over the years.
Jirō started in 1968 in Tokyo’s Mita. It’s expanded since then by utilizing the noren-wake (のれん分け) system, in which an apprentice employee learns the secrets of making Jirō ramen to earn permission to use the store’s trademark.
Jirō has a devoted fan following. (I live not too far from the original Mita store, which opens at 8am, and there’s always a large line.) It also has its detractors who aren’t hip to the store’s unspoken rules, which differ from store to store and dictate how you order and eat your food. Many people complain that the chain’s stores are so fussy about their rules that it makes the experience unpleasant. (The fact that a large bowl can exceed 2,000 calories likely doesn’t help, either.)
20 minutes for Jirō?!
It’s one of the local store rules that’s causing a commotion online.
The chain’s Fuchū, Tokyo store posted on July 4th (hey, Americans, it’s just another day in Japan): “Lately, we’ve seen a spike in customers eating extremely leisurely, which causes customer backups and is inconvenient for us as a store. Please eat your food within 20 minutes.”
(Note: Screenshot of tweet below as the original has been deleted)
The post ignited debate about whether 20 minutes to eat a large bowl of Jirō is adequate time or whether it’s insane.
One commenter replied, “I’m a slow eater by nature. Even if I eat silently, it takes 30 minutes. (I’m not spending a long time on my phone or anything.) I get your store’s policy. Unfortunately, 20 minutes means I can’t finish everything, which makes me not want to go to Jirō. I’ll be eating elsewhere.”
The store’s response? “Go for it.” That curt reply itself drew fire for its bluntness.
One user, whose repost netted 180,000 likes, said: “Why I absolutely won’t go to Jirō, condensed into a tweet.”
Others, however, shot back that “Jirō has plenty of customers who can follow this rule” and that people who don’t like it should “keep it to themselves.” Still others bragged that they felt the 20-minute rule was completely doable.
(I’m sure for some of these commenters it is. I’m also sure a few of them also think they could strike out Ohtani Shohei if someone would just give them a chance.)
This isn’t the first store with a time limit. A while back, we covered a karaage spot in Tokyo’s Akasaka that’s all you can eat…for 30 minutes.
This is only one store, of course. However, given how popular and crammed every Jirō store tends to be, it’s a good idea to make your visit as punctual as possible. Order accordingly.
Update: The store apologizes
The same day we ran this story, Ramen Jirō Fuchū issued an apology:
“The social media post and the harsh words we used in the replies led people to think that Jirō is a scary, high-pressure place. We apologize profoundly on every level to our customers and people connected to Jirō for the confusion and distress we’ve caused.”
The store has rescinded the 20-minute rule and deleted the original tweet. It also said that the store owner would be issuing posts from the store’s official X account from here on out, and not however was doing it (terribly) before.
Discuss this article with other UJ fans on our Bluesky account or Discord server!
Help keep us going
We’re an independent site that keeps our content free of intrusive ads. If you love what we do, help us do more with a donation to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund in any amount.
What to read next
Does Loving Ramen Make Men in Japan Undateable?
It’s not the greatest turn-off, according to polls. But there’s evidence that being super into Japan’s national noodle dish is a red flag.
Is This Ramen Chain Closing Stores Because It Sucks?
Why is this chain about to close a third of its stores in the Tokyo area? Some fans are blaming its lack of consistency.
Japanese Girls Charged Over “Food Terrorism” at a Sukiya
It’s not just foreign influencers causing trouble in Japan. Two girls in Osaka are facing charges after going viral for disgusting behavior.
Sources
【初心者必読】ラーメン二郎の暗黙のルールとは？注文方法や人気店舗なども. Macaroni
