A Michelin-Starred Savory Sensation: Ginza Hachigou

If you are on the hunt for food in Tokyo that will blow your taste buds away, look no further than one of Tokyo’s most famed ramen restaurants the Michelin-starred Ginza Hachigou. 

Online reservations can be made here up to one week in advance starting at 9am on previous Saturday, and eager diners can select half-hour seating times between 12:30pm to 2:30pm. This is because the restaurant only seats 6 guests at a time, and each person is limited to finishing their meal within 30 minutes. 

For those who were unable to secure a booking online but would still like to try the delicious ramen, walk-in slots are available starting from 11am to 12:30pm. I was unable to grab a booking myself, so I woke up early to make sure I had a walk-in slot. However, to nobody’s surprise, there was already a queue of about 4 groups ahead of me by the time I reached. This was nearly 90 minutes before opening time, so be sure to be quick!

The hostess will call you up from the queue and request for your order at the entrance. She will further explain that the chefs will only prepare 2 bowls of ramen at a time, so groups of 3 and up may have to wait for a bit longer while for everyone to finish their meals. Once seats, you are offered a hot towel as well as refreshing tea to ease yourself in the dining mood.

The ramen itself was exquisite in both taste and presentation. The duck-based consommé broth was extremely rich and savory, and it paired well with the firm texture of the handmade egg noodles. Toppings will depends on the set that you choose to order. The standard will come with fresh bamboo shoots, bright scallions, broiled chashu pork, and a boiled egg. Their specialty topping is a truffle-foie gras paste ravioli that is oozing with umami.

The dish reflects the chef’s training overseas in French cuisine, seeking to elevate a traditional dish into a unique experience.