Ramen Ajisai / らぁ麺紫陽花 - Nagoya

Ramen Ajisai (らぁ麺紫陽花) has been named Nagoya’s best ramen shop for many years now, gaining fame and a reputation even beyond Nagoya. I made the trip to find out what Ajisai is all about and if it is worth the travel and waiting time.

Ajisai fits well into the line of ramen shops in Tokyo, which focus on high quality ingredients, elaborate processes and no additives like msg in the soup. All the flavor comes from them using premium ingredients like the famous Nagoya cochin chicken. The goal bowls are refined shoyu and niboshi ramen with clean and deep chicken broth as foundation. The toppings consist of sous vide cooked chicken chashu and pork chashu, super tender and full of flavor. The eggs are specially sourced with very orange eggs yolks, which are created by feeding chicken with carotenoids. The wantan are a special recommendation, close to perfection with a plump pork filling, juicy and bursting with flavor.

If you decide that you want to visit Ajisai, you should be aware of the wait and the limited opening hours. During their opening hours 11:30am–2:30pm and 6–9pm, they serve only 120 people per cycle, so 120 for lunch and 120 for dinner. To reserve one of the seats, you have to stand in line for a while, it can be crazy on weekends and holidays with up to 2 hour waiting time. After waiting in line, you are asked to hand over a 1000 Yen deposit, which will give you a reservation token and a reservation time in return. The 1000 Yen will be returned to you, if you show up on time for your reserved seat. After that, you are free to select whatever items you want from the vending machine.

My recommendation: Arrive here by 10am to ensure you get a seat during lunch time and then relax at the local Family Mart around the corner, which has a seating area.