Ramen chain is committed to stellar customer service through all parts of the digestive cycle.
Just because ramen is moderately priced doesn’t mean it’s not a highly developed part of Japanese food culture. A ramen meal offers myriad elements to appreciate, from the flavor of the broth to the texture of the noodles and even the sounds of enthusiastic slurping.
However, if you’ve eaten a lot of ramen, you might be familiar with one of its less pleasant aspects. Compared to the broth for soba or udon, the other common varieties of Japanese noodles, ramen broth is pretty oily. Chashu pork, a common ramen topping, is also on the fatty side, and while all that greasiness can taste might good, it also means that a significant bowl movement is usually the epilogue to a fine ramen meal.
This brings us to Ichiran, which you might remember as the chain whose newest branch had a line for 250 consecutive hours immediately after opening. Because its ramen is so delicious, customers would probably cut Ichiran some slack if the chain’s service was less than stellar, but such is Ichiran’s commitment to comprehensive customer satisfaction that it even designs its bathrooms with post-ramen pooping in mind.
https://twitter.com/hibi46490404/status/878559389967200256Ichiran doesn’t want customers to get stuck without toilet paper, and instead of standing an extra roll on the back of the toilet, it mounts multiple holders on the wall, each with its own cylinder of paper.
https://twitter.com/hinapooh99/status/873917466660950016 https://twitter.com/kazuyuki6248149/status/873125419922317312▼ Some branches go for a gothic look…
TLで見たけど、浜松の和田の自動車街にある一蘭のトイレもこんなだったw
— ゆみさん (@yumi528_bike) June 28, 2017
思わずパシャリしたけど、どれを使えばええねん!!ってなる(笑)
そして、“あ、ここだけじゃなかったんだ、これを上回るとこもあるんだ”と思い知らされた。#一蘭 pic.twitter.com/IRqswrvsVx
▼ …while others opt for more contemporary aesthetics.
大好きな一蘭のラーメン。
— こまぐるみ (@MEGU_Fukuda) June 6, 2017
この前ヒトラーした時の( Ꙭ)
初めてトイレに入って驚いた🙌😏#一蘭 #ラーメン #らぁめん #🍜 #🚻 #🚽 pic.twitter.com/28qi5etaiK
Customers are free to grab sheets from whichever roll speaks to their sensibilities, although some branches have notices asking bathroom users to stick to using one roll per visit, instead of mixing and matching from different sources.
京都の一蘭のトイレがわけわからなさ過ぎて笑った pic.twitter.com/FMenlPjlrV
— こういち (@Koichi4111) June 6, 2017
一蘭のトイレの選択の自由さがすごい pic.twitter.com/tLJgoxk2uN
— ある氏 (@x71x43xy) June 21, 2017
While each holder is ostensibly outfitted with the same brand of paper, the lower rolls, which can be most easily reached while sitting down, seem to be the most popular choices, judging by photos that show them running out of paper before their higher-altitude brethren.
昨日一蘭いって鼻水取ろうとトイレに行ったら...😅 pic.twitter.com/EJFSNQw0Kn
— しょー⚡︎S15 (@syo0806m) June 11, 2017
一蘭福岡天神店のトイレ、トイレットペーパーを取るのに戸惑う pic.twitter.com/IQqRJiMtVm
— じょん (@CM_johnSV) June 9, 2017
It’s an especially nice idea since Ichiran allows you to make your ramen punishingly spicy, if you so desire. With some Ichiran locations having a dozen holders on the wall, it seems like the paper products should be enough to last the restaurant the entire day. Nevertheless, Ichiran posts notices saying that it checks the supplies ever hour, replacing any empty holders with a fresh supply.
https://twitter.com/yumiriiis/status/879914867867623424Oh, and speaking of that notice, the Japanese text concludes with the helpful offer that in the unlikely event that every single holder in the bathroom is devoid of paper, you can tear the notice of the wall and wipe yourself with it.
トイレで大爆笑してる pic.twitter.com/33ukqdv0pg
— あいだま (@aidama_0324) June 27, 2017
And if you needed any more proof that Ichiran’s bathrooms are truly a godsend…
一蘭のトイレなうに使っていいよ(*´ω`*) pic.twitter.com/uIwisY64vR
— らむむん (@lhambmun) June 21, 2017
…consider the fact that at least one of them seems to also radiate a divine light, as befitting its status as a place of salvation for digesting diners.
Related: Ichiran location list
Source: Togech, Twitter/@yumiriiis

One of Japan’s best ramen chains has secret toilet paper stash in restrooms for emergency pooping
Man at Ichiran ramen receives frightening note from man in the next booth
Ramen chain gives you the full Ichiran experience at home with a build-it-yourself private booth
One of Japan’s best ramen chains now has a VR game that lets you cook their noodles【Video】
Ramen restaurant’s new branch has had continuous line of waiting customers for 250 hours
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
How to make a lucky sushi roll with KFC fried chicken skin【SoraKitchen】
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
A trip to hell on Japan’s ‘vomit ship’: Is it as bad as everyone says it is?
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Cherry blossom sake rice beer arriving in Japan well ahead of cherry blossom season, but how?
Sakura Skytree photos take Tokyo’s breath away, give kick-start to cherry blossom season【Photos】
This super-compact raincoat from one of Japan’s 100-yen stores can literally fit in your pocket
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Japan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Studio Ghibli turns My Neighbour Totoro characters into bag charms for everyday adventures
If you haven’t tried an antenna shop in Japan, you’re missing out
Studio Ghibli releases Spirited Away bags in Japan, based on a mysterious festival
Morning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
People in Japan vote for their favourite ramen chain, with surprising results
What?!? Turns out kids eat for free at one of Japan’s best ramen chains, and hardly anyone knew
Acting like a literal dick is the secret to happiness, Japanese ramen restaurant says
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure memes are the signature seasoning at this ramen restaurant in Japan【Vid】
Tokyo ramen restaurant’s brilliant idea: takeout cups of just ramen broth!【Photos】
Hamster abandoned at Tokyo ramen restaurant gets new home
Samurai chef serves ramen with a side of history at awesome restaurant in Japan
Old gas stations in Japan are being converted into ramen restaurants
People in Japan are now stealing toilet paper in midst of coronavirus crisis
Japanese noodle lovers go crazy for tank-shaped pork ramen served up at … a convenience store!
Yep, that’s a whole ice cream cone as a ramen topping, as this restaurant in Japan offers【Pics】
Anime game girl helps make Tokyo ramen restaurant famous, chef becomes her fan
Ramen restaurant etiquette reminder follows altercation with angry couple: One person, one bowl
10 quirky sights at ramen outlets in Japan
Leave a Reply