Tokyo’s Ramen Jiro

Pure Unadulterated Gluttony

Are you on a diet or trying to eat more healthy? Well then, let me be frank, and say that this post is DEFINITELY not for you! Instead, I’ll direct you to this one which details how I lost over 10 kg eating foods purchased only at Japanese convenience stores. For all the little piglets who are still here though, you’re in for a real treat. We’ll be investigating a crash course in overeating that is known as “Ramen Jiro” or just “Jiro” for short. These days, a few choice ramen shops have been lauded with the prestigious Michelin star yet today’s post topic is about as far on the opposite end of the spectrum as you can get. The English language media

Tokyo Weekender eloquently describes this cacophony of grease, fat and carbs as:

Pure unadulterated junk food, the kind of thing that would be at home in an American carnival or flea market near the deep-fried Twinkies.

In many ways, Ramen Jiro can be said to be the earthly incarnation of gluttony itself. This physical embodiment of one of the seven deadly sins has roots that date all the way back to the 1960’s. The noodle bingefest likely began as a means of providing overworked salarymen with the requisite caloric load required for day-long marathon sessions at the office. Part franchise, part religion, Ramen Jiro has since grown into a chain of over 30 shops throughout the country. Known for its strong taste and behemoth-sized portions, a visit to Ramen Jiro is simply a must for any ramen aficionado.

How to Get There

Considering what a disaster a bowl of Ramen Jiro is to one’s health and well being, there’s an ungodly number of shops to choose from across the country (as can be seen in the above map). That said, I’m going to go ahead and recommend that you visit the headquarters in Tokyo’s Mita area. A trip to this location is something of a pilgrimage for ramen connoisseurs. Here, over fifty years ago, the…