Access
・1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza line "Ueno Hirokoji" station A5 exit
・1-minute walk from Toei Oedo line "Ueno Okachimachi" station A5 exit
・3-minute walk from JR "Okachimachi" station north exit

Overview
Within walking distance of the popular shopping spot, Atre (Ueno Yamashita Exit), the new Ichiran branch has 25 seats. If you’re shopping around in Atre and it starts to seem a bit crowded, this is a good spot to get away for a moment.

At a typical Ichiran restaurant you would usually order your meal from a ticket machine, go to your seat and be served there. At the new store, although this flow is entirely the same, there are now disinfection mats at the entrance, disposable gloves that customers are free to use, and automatic alcohol-based disinfectants at three different locations within the store.

Once you enter the store, buy your meal ticket from the touch screen ticket dispenser (using the gloves if you prefer), and sit down at your designated seat as shown on the “Counter Booth Seating Chart.” Once seated, you’ll find an order sheet where you can choose the texture of your noodles. Then you simply press the “order” button, and without having to exchange any conversation with staff, your ramen will appear before your eyes after a few minutes.

You can order and eat at your own leisurely pace, savoring the delicious taste of Ichiran’s signature tonkotsu ramen. With minimal staff interaction, you don’t even need to worry about language barriers or droplets that can be passed on through conversation.

To those accustomed to Ichiran, it might look like an ordinary branch at first glance, but there are a few anti-coronavirus measurements in place. For example, instead of the stack of water cups to choose from, there is a singular newly sterilized cup at each seat, and there are announcements about hygiene management throughout the store. These various anti-infection touches allow customers to enjoy their meals without the constant worry of infection.

The menu at the Ichiran Ueno Okachimachi store includes the ever-popular "Natural Tonkotsu Ramen" (980 yen including tax), as well as the "Nikomi-yaki Pork Plate" (490 yen including tax) (which is really underrated in my opinion!), side dishes, and various toppings. As is the norm at Ichiran restaurants, they make sure to bring the dish to your seat within 15 seconds of cooking.

At each Ichiran store, including this Ueno Okachimachi branch, employees are of course also implementing anti-coronavirus measures. They have strict orders to gargle at least once an hour, and are operating under the slogan of “1 act to 1 hand washing.” Masks are also worn by all employees.

Additionally, a new system has been introduced where employees must take their temperature before starting work and report their physical condition. They must also report the temperatures of their family members if they live together.

To keep it as sanitary as possible, even the cloths used to wipe down surfaces are kept in check with a set amount of water. In addition, the entirety of every room including the kitchen floor is thoroughly cleaned once a day, the toilet is cleaned once an hour, and the bathroom floor is cleaned once every four hours.

This Ueno Okachimachi store was actually originally planned to open a while ago, but was postponed due to the spread of Covid-19. It seems that during their postponement, they were preparing to provide an even safer eating space.

People visiting other Ichiran stores said:
"Ichiran's taste concentration counter can be eaten with peace of mind"
"I was glad that Ichiran was open as a restaurant while I had to go out for work"

We were told that the new store opened in the hopes that it would be a useful and safe dining space for those who are unable to work from home.

The anti-coronavirus measures that are in place at this new Ueno Okachimachi store will serve as a base for all Ichiran stores nationwide and abroad going forward. Hopefully, this will let ramen fans eat in peace!

*Business hours are shortened for the time being. Please check the official website for the latest information here.

Written by Shoko Kamiguchi
Translated by Cassandra Lord