AFURI Ebisu

Small ramen spot near Ebisu station, it’s all bar seating so it’s very much a spot to eat and leave. There is a vending machine in the front where you order and pay and then you take your ticket and seat down. When we were there it was pretty busy but the food arrived very quickly. There are little baskets to put your bag beside your feet and a coat hanger behind every seat to hang up your jacket. We had the vegan ramen which was amazing! Ordering through the machine was simple as there is an English menu. Prices were reasonable. People don’t really talk here, it was a lot of individual people eating then quickly leaving. Would come again!

We ordered some ramen and had one of the worst we’ve had in Tokyo so far. They only gave us half an egg and one slice of pork. The restaurant just doesn’t have an identity. It is just cold and doesn’t feel cozy. The broth wasn’t strong and pretty much tasteless. Won’t return.

LOVE! Ramen Counter service,kiosk ordering, card only. I had vegan ramen with konjac noodles-FANTASTIC! Hubby had spicy ramen. Also fantastic. Ordered 2 sake’s; pour-over cedar box style-always fun. Highly recommend. Our kids live here-their new favorite ramen place. Can be a linenso be prepared. Nicer setting for ramen. Definitely a go back to place.

Very delicious! Stopped here because the Rainbow Vegan Ramen popped up when searching for vegan places and I like that they use fresh seasonal vegetables. The seating is comfortable and easy to get to from the station. Credit card only order at the entrance and then sit down. There are a decent amount of customizations for their signature dish available too. Food was ready quickly. The portion size was generous and filling! Perfect place for me to be with my nonvegan friends as well! They could not stop raving about how delicious the signature Yuzu Shio Ramen was! They ordered extra Pork Aburi because it was so good and went back again the next day! I will be back and recommending to all my friends! :)

This placed lived up to the hype, it was recommended to me and it didn't disappoint at all, the Ramen is excellent with options for thickness of noodles, meats, etc. I really like the ordering system which you use a kiosk to choose your meal, pay, and then sit down and receive your food. The staff also seem friendly, great place!

Best Ramen So Far in Tokyo! The Yuzu Ratan ramen was a standout — not too spicy, with a refreshing hint of yuzu that really elevates the flavor. That citrus kick is a total game changer!

This is the original Afuri and it still delivers when it’s late and cold. The yuzu ramen remains a firm favourite and these days the order machines are English friendly. They have interesting specials from time to time. The summer special cold yuzu ramen is always worth ordering

Super delicious yuzu broth. Available in spicy, shio and shoyu versions. Must try!

This HAS to be one of the ramen spots when in the Tokyo area... Afuri Ramen specializes in Shio Ramen with Yuzu!!! IT IS SO GOOD!!! This particular location is 24-hours. We arrived around 10pm. Glad we came after dinner... I hear this place is busy from Lunch to Dinner. I've tried their location in Downtown Portland and fell in love... But, these locations in Tokyo taste WAY BETTER than a could imagine... I've eaten at the Shinjuku location and waited an hour to get in... You first place your order on a machine, receive your tickets, have a seat and the food comes to you. The servers are very attentive and know when you're a new customer.. The beer comes to you nice and cold... The food follows shortly after. Every Japan location only has up to 15 seats bar style. Portland has more of that restaurant setting. I will definitely come back time and time, again.

This an actually a Ramen that is suitable for a hot day. While cold versions are on hand the Yuzu Shoyu is very light and noodles thin and light. Easy ordering at the machine with pictures and English subtitles. Fun music and congenial crowd.

"But why does Saki stay with that loser Nagata? Ahh so, 'cause it's torturous Japanese theater..." - Eric-san It's very Japanese to get a bowl of authentic Ramen in Japan no matter the season or even if it's 200-degrees outside 笑. Ha! The high quality is off the charts and I could publish a book if I wrote about all the Ramen I plan to eat, slurp, and mogu mogu! Ganbare Nippon! Afuri Ebisu became part of my Ramen odyssey during my stay in Shibuya. The modern design, welcoming vibes, and a certain dish that caught my eye! Located just a block from my hotel is where I fell in love with a special special. A large menu on the outside and as you enter as well. You order and pay at the kiosk. Yuzu Shio Ramen is what brought me to Afuri Ebisu! So walking in and being warmly greeted I order their specialty of Yuzu Shio Ramen set for ¥1173. I am a huge fanatic of Ramen and did I mention my love affair with all things Yuzu? Combine the two and oh my this should be heaven in my mouth. After paying at the kiosk (you'll see all over Tokyo) just hand your ticket to one of the "all in black" employees behind the counter. From there it's just a matter of zen. Afuri Ebisu in Shibuya is very chic and popular with the Japanese locals. The Afuri chain is based in Tokyo with the original location found at the base of Mount Afuri, hence the "Afuri" inspired name. Since it's original location, over twenty years ago, it has spread across Tokyo, Internationally, including several locations in Portland, Oregon. I guess the Portland hipsters really love a great bowl of Ramen, eh? And before I can count to one-hundred in Japanese my bowl is served. Aroma hits me like I woke up in heaven. Oh my! The first sip always defines my experience and oh let me tell you about that first sip... You can taste each ingredient as quality is of the highest priority at Afuri, the water source pure, using only the freshest, locally farmed ingredients. Yuzu (citrus) style Ramen is the specialty. Combined with Shio (salt) my choice of broth, the Yuzu balances the richness and flavors of the soup, and lifts, lightens and brightens for perfection. Heaven in my mouth. In the end, I highly recommend Afuri Ebisu for all Ramen lovers. The interior is modern and chic, I sat at the bar, however I believe there's a dining room to the side. The employees kind and stylish in their "all in black". The neighborhood relaxed and let me tell you about that bowl of Yuzu Shio Ramen... Oooh, Ja ne... Please follow my journey on IG: @eric_travel_guru

We ate here because my partner is gluten-free and their website said they had gluten-free items. However, when we got to the restaurant, it was unclear if any of the items were truly gluten-free. Unfortunately, the staff could not help us determine if in fact, the items on the menu were gluten-free, that said, I ordered a vegetable Ramen, which was good, but not great.

Food was well presented and fresh. Very short line up I went around Monday lunch. I ordered the Yuzu Shio since it's at the top of the menu list. Being the signature ramen I was expecting a more interesting flavour. My friend recommended this venue since she likes broth that's not so heavy (like tonkotsu). Not my cup of tea but I'd be interested in trying different flavours in the future. Vending machine cash register makes things touchless and convenient. They also provide paper bibs to protect your clothing.

One of my favorite meals in Tokyo was at Afuri. Their yuzu ramen is like nothing I've never had before! There was a slight backlog at the vending machine where you place your order but it WAS lunchtime. Once you place your order, you bring your printed tickets to the staff and they will bring you to your seat. I ordered a whiskey highball, which came out first. They actually brought me a soda water first, but I didn't notice since I was so busy trying to take pictures of it. I did find it odd that it was so light colored but didn't think much of it... anyway, they realized it later and brought me a real one. I ordered the Yuzu-tsuyu tsukemen, which was mind blowing. I added the chashu pork on top, which was the best decision I've ever made. I never had a chashu pork so hot and freshly grilled and so fragrant. In the US, most shops are lazy and just heat it up real quick (some don't even heat it up in hopes that the hot broth will do the trick). The egg was perfectly soft boiled and the dipping broth was light and citrusy without being too salty, tart or heavy. DEFINITELY recommend a visits. Some North American cities do have their own local Afuri, of whom I am SUPER jealous. I know I won't be traveling internationally anytime soon thanks to COVID so I hope I'll have the chance to check out a closer Afuri soon in the US or in Canada.

Amazing Tasting Ramen! Great Service! Very Nice Vibe, Cool Interior. Kept Very Nicely. VERY Cool way that you order food.

Bar style seating and you order through the machine right at the door. Very fast service, very popular for lunch since you'll consume the noodles pretty fast. Unique flavors that I really enjoyed trying out. Happy to know there are chains of this establishment in the States. I chose the tsukumen (dipping noodles) which had a refreshing flavor and hints of citrus to the broth/sauce that you dip the noodles in! The greens were a nice touch and I loved the how the soft boiled egg was cooked, like most ramen places in Japan make it! The ramen also looked delicious but I heard the tsukumen was more popular. Definitely want to compare the taste to the other chains in the US, but I'm glad I got to try it out here!

Afuri has been on our list of places to try for quite some time. My wife's coworker always eats here each time he visits and kept insisting we check it out. Needless to say, it was hyped up and sadly it didn't live up to it. This location is a quick 5-10 minute walk from the Ebisu train station. By the time we arrived, there was a short queue which moved quickly. Don't think we even waited 10 mins before ordering on the machine. What's cool is that they do accept credit card payments. Hoping that this trend gets adopted by all ramen shops in the future. Ordered the yuzu shoyu ramen w/ chicken and the yuzu tsukemen. Was asked whether I wanted hot or cold noodles for my tsukemen which was a surprise but I did opt for my noodles to be served hot. Was excited but after I took the first bite of the tsukemen, I knew this wasn't my cup of tea. The yuzu which does leave a nice clean after taste added a sweetness to the broth that I'm just not a fan of. The garlic bits in the dipping broth did help with the sweetness but just wasn't something I was expecting. I did try the yuzu ramen and that was even sweeter. The egg also had a weird redness to it as well which didn't help make it more appetizing. Don't think I'll be back nor will I be trying other yuzu ramen spots in the future. I have to admit that this was the first disappointing meals I've ever had in Tokyo.

I was keen on trying Afuri ramen as it was highly recommended by a friend local to Tokyo, and it has yet to expand to the States. They pride themselves in the quality of ingredients, never using artificial ingredients or food preservatives. You order on a vending machine at the entrance of the restaurant. Noticed its a pinch more expensive than other ramen shops in Japan at ~1000 yen, but still affordable. I had the classic shio ramen, and my husband had the shoyu ramen. Both include pork chashu, which they uniquely cook over charcoal. The ingredients tasted pure, and unlike some heavy ramen bowls, you don't feel like you're going to keel over after or suffer from food coma. The best way I can describe it is its the ramen version of what In-and-Out does for burgers.

Chanced upon this when exploring Ebisu area and have been back a couple of times. Cool vibes in a no frills place. Cash only and you order using the coupon machine. There's always a line as it's open til late. Love the broth with its hint of yuzu. And the pork is nicely charred.

Checked vending machine ramen off the list! Put your money in the machine, press the button with the picture of what you want, hand the ticket that spits out to someone behind the counter. I went with the veg option which was good. If you opt for meat they'll ask you about your sauce and protein (pork, chicken) preference. Food comes out fast and hot. Add spice or a splash of vinegar if you like, and slurp it up. Food was good (I'm no ramen expert), staff is friendly, but the place is old and a bit dingy. Glad we experienced it just to say we had.

my friend that lives in japan recommend this place. i am soooo happy she did. because i was hooked at my first slurp of their noodles and broth. you order through a vending machine. you pick which ramen you want. drinks. and you get a printed ticket and one of the staff will take it and tell you where to sit. i got their yuzu shio ramen. i was hesitant getting this because i usually get pork based. this one is chicken and dashi broth. im glad i was openminded and tried it. because it was amazing. i loveeeeeee how light the broth is and that yuzu just go well together! bc of afuri, i was introduce to light broths which i like better than heavy broths. i was so happy to have this but super sad i won't have this ramen back in the states. but afuri ended up opening in the bay area!!! sometimes, life is just so great :))))))

Excellent Ramen. Unique Yuzu-Shio (salt-based) broth that is light yet flavorful. Worth trying for anyone, especially those who have tried standard flavors. Option for thick, wavy noodles. For Yuzu lovers, the Yuzu highball is a must, even if you don't love whiskey like me. Cheers!

Dining at Afuri was definitely an eye opening experience. It will change your view about how good ramen should taste like. I have always been a lover of traditional tonkotsu ramen, the kind with thick fat broth, so when I first heard about Afuri, I was on the verge of trying. However, since I was in the area and the weather was perfect for a bowl of hot ramen, I decided to give it a try. The wait wasn't too long, the line moved relatively quick. It's definitely a spot for the locals too! You have to order through a vending machine, which wasn't too hard since they have pictures. I got the yuzu shio ramen since that is their best seller. I absolutely loved the citrus flavor! You get to choose from 2 different soup base, one is thicker one is lighter and both made from chicken. I went with the thicker one but it was still relatively light. You can definitely taste the chicken broth and a hint of yuzu. The chashu was very well made as well, I wish I got extra slices. You also get half of a soft boiled egg, also cooked perfectly. Definitely recommend this place for adventurous people looking to try non traditional ramen!

They are now opening a new shop in Cupertino, CA, so I went here to make me well-prepared for their shio ramen. It might be a little difficult for foreigners to get here. Use East Exit of JR Ebisu station. Go straight and Go down the stairs to the ground. Open Google map. It takes 5 minutes from there. I arrived just at their opening time, 11am. There were no line, no waiting time. You need to select what you eat at a ticket machine at the entrance. I decided to try their most popular ramen, Yuzu Shio Ramen. The soup was full of flavor. Their shio-based soup has a clean taste. Yuzu flavor was highly harmonized with the soup. I finished off it. The noodles were small in amount for me. I don' t remember you can easily add it. The price was more than 1,000 yen. It isn't usual for ramens in Japan. It would be a good place when you'd like to try a good flavor ramen, not when you want to eat a big meal at a low price. I'm looking forward to seeing it in California again.

Mom's approval is very important. And unlike the traditional heavy and creamy tonkotsu broth, she approves of Afuri's "healthy" ramen. Opened more than a decade ago right here in the back streets of Ebisu, Afuri is endearing: literally a hole in the wall joint with a long wooden countertop, young servers dressed in monochromatic black, big pots of boiling broth and a vending machine to order your ramen from. You can now order your ramen, tsukemen style where the broth is served separately from the noodles. I've been both times I've come back to Tokyo and I stick to the tried and true (read: DELICIOUS!!!) the shio version. The interesting twist with Afruri's broth is it's served in a yuzu flavored base that really makes this ramen feel light and healthy. For under a 1000 yen, you'll get a bowl of this unbelievably delicate broth, springy noodles, half of a soft boiled ajitama egg, a thick grilled slice of chasu and fragrant yuzu peels. It's unlike any ramen you've had back in the U.S. Worthy of a visit at least twice and with mom's two thumbs up, you can't miss it.

Great place for Ramen. Counter service with a ticket purchase when you enter. We enjoyed the quick and very friendly service, warm soup with lots of options for the kids. We all had the Shio ramen for lunch but the Tsukemen that my neighbor had smelled and looked very appetizing will have to try next time.

Now, here's a refreshing take on ramen! Not only can you experience ordering from a vending machine, you'll also be able to slurp down some kind of wonderful yuzu-based broth. Think citrus notes, people! Light, aromatic, and simply delicious. It definitely is a unique twist to the traditional shoyu or tonkotsu broth that I'm accustomed to with this not being rich and heavy. It's very welcoming to the palate, really. YUZURATAN (¥1,230) is what this delightful bowl of ramen's called and it's supposedly the spicy version. It could be spicier but that's just me nit-picking this beautiful creation. Their TSUKEMEN (¥1,060) is another contender to the aforementioned yuzu ramen. The noodles are thicker which I like better and the cold dipping sauce is yuzu based as well. I can picture this to be appropriate on hot days compared to the hearty tonkotsu ramen. It's hard to determine which one reigned supreme between the Yuzuratan and this as both were outstanding to the taste buds. A problem like that is absolutely a compliment to this noodle shop. With your leftover dipping sauce, ask for some hot broth added to your bowl so you can finish it off as soup. Eating here was a little stressful as we were trying to make sure we catch the train before midnight (all trains stop at 12am). Thanks to how efficient everything is in this country, we made it back to our place without walking. Line went fast, ordering was easy with the vending machine (money in first then pick your ramen), when a seat clears up at the bar, give your ramen ticket to the server before sitting down, food is served, eat, and go. The place is tiny yet everything has a purpose like the hooks on the wall to hang your coat and a basket to put your purse in under your seat. I will go as far as saying this was one of the best meals I've had on our trip to Japan.

Vegetarians you can eat here!!! This is one of the very few places that serves vegetarian ramen. It's hard to find as you'll discover while in Japan, almost everything has fish brooth for the soup base. You'll have to go up to the food floor at the mall, can't remember which floor? Once you step out of the elevator, you'll want to walk all the way down the hall and it's right there waiting for you. Place your order of food from the machine, I had to ask if I could order a side egg, being that the ramen is vegetarian, it doesn't come with an egg. My husband ordered regular meat ramen. He loved his bowl. No complaints from us.

Yuzu works great with Chicken soup Ramen! Really hope there would be an Afuri soon in New York! Accept major credit card and cash. Please buy ticket using a touch-screen before seating.

R A M E N Delish. Hands down my most favorite ramen in Japan that I've ever devoured. Just do yourself a favor and order a yuzu shio ramen. Either light or heavier depending on how much flavor you like in your ramen. I've tried both. They're both amazing. The shio broth they use just has so much flavor and unami. Maybe I'm biased because my favorite type of ramen is shio, but based off the reviews written here, at least I know I'm not crazy! It's so tasty, just try it. You order off a vending machine and hand your ticket to the person taking them and then you seat and eat!

For all its buzz--Bourdain and Orkin and Chang--Afuri is incredibly overrated and overpriced. The yuzu just doesn't work in ramen, though the shoyu did cut down its bite...which defeats the purpose of using it. I will admit that the pork belly was delicious and artfully made. But the portion is still small, and the regular bowl at 980 yen is still overpriced. Afuri is a prominent "Lady Ramenya," and my experience with any Japanese shop with the "Lady" epithet attached means it's overpriced. Every tourist guide will tell you to come here. But you shouldn't.

The first time I stopped by Afuri in Ebisu, they had run out of the vegan ramen and I had to go elsewhere. That said, if you're going for this option, go early. When you enter this location, there is a machine where you need to order your ramen. The vegan ramen is clearly marked for those interested in this option. After ordering, you pass your ticket to one of the workers when they ask for it and then you wait in line for a place to sit. I actually think this is quite efficient. Now to the point. The vegan ramen looked beautiful and I was excited to dig my chopsticks into it. However, the broth needed some help (it was bland) and made the whole soup boring. The noodles were also super thin and were slightly overcooked. That said, this was not enjoyable and I did not bother eating more than half of my ramen/broth (and I *always* finish the broth). Hopefully this was fluke...I might consider trying one of their sister locations next time to see if there's a difference.

Afuri is a very unique ramen shop features yuzu citrus based broth. I got Yuzu-tsuyu tsukemen which tastes light and refreshing. Slightly sweet, sour and savory. I love the way you have a choice to pick between cold noodle or hot for your tsukemen. Their wheat noodles were fantastic, great amount of chewiness and absolutely perfect for this unique, light, dashi yuzu broth. Aside from the noodle, I also love their braised pork belly toppings. Very flavorful and tender since it has been slowly simmered. This gotta be the most honest, most delicious healthy meal I ever had in my life. Although, I still prefer the authentic thick, fishy tsukemen broth but this yuzu tsukemen is definitely a refreshing change.

The food was fine, but the background music was unnecessarily loud and appallingly bad.

I'm not big on ramen but I figured if I'm all the way in Japan I really should get ramen. How can you not?! There are so many ramen out there it's overwhelming! We were told there is also a specific area/neighborhood that is known for only/all ramen, block after block. Sadly we didn't get the chance to go but luckily because it's such a staple meal in Japan we were able to find a couple near us. The thing about ordering ramen , they have it on a vending machine, and most are all in Japanese. There may be some translation in English on the bottom, but from what I remember Afuri was all in Japanese. We had to ask a lady that was waiting in the line in front of us to help us out. Also we were lucky because they also have Chinese translation and my gf can read it, so we got by thanks to her. I ordered the special basic one that has egg and pork but I ordered extra pork and bamboo shoot. I love that every item you click you get a ticket. You can customize by ordering sides. When you are done you give all the tickets to the chef. The line was pretty long, took about 15-20 minutes. It's real small inside, seats about 10-12 people. The ramen broth was tangy and meaty. It was thicker and richer than the first ramen place we went to. The noodles were al dente and perfect. The pork was real tasty but a bit more fattier. They have a spicy one as well if you like real spicy. This was nice to have for lunch that way we can burn it off through out the day as it tasted pretty heavy and creamy. I prefer the first ramen place we went to (Fu-unji) but this was good as well. Everyone has different taste for ramen. I think this is why I'm probably not a huge fan of ramen, because in L.A they give a lot of noodle, and the broth is just real heavy, thick, and salty.

Ordering ramen in Tokyo is no easy feat. Typically, in most ramen shops, you'll find a machine at the entrance which dispenses tickets after you pay for your ramen. This machine features no English (And why would it? You're in Japan!) but there are pictures. Unfortunately, most of the pictures look exactly the same. Pro tip: Bring a Japanese speaker and getting spicy miso ramen with extra green onions and chashu will be a breeze. With ticket in hand, stand in line for a seat. Once you get to your seat you'll give your ticket to the server and you'll get your ramen in very short order. I had my first ramen in Japan at Afuri and it inspired me to subsequently seek out and eat a lot more of this ubiquitous Japanese noodle soup. Afuri's known for its citrusy yuzu broth but I preferred the spicy miso. And if you're after dessert post-ramen, try nearby Ouca.

There are a lot of people doing tonkotsu ramen out there in the world. But after some snooping around, I finally discovered a place that has something a bit different. Afuri, located in food-haven Ebisu, serves yuzu shio ramen - a slightly tangy take on the usual miso or tonkotsu ramen. The broth is not the only thing that's different about Afuri's ramen though - it's also how they prepare their chashu, over a makeshift charcoal fire. This way of preaparing the chashu gets the meat all hot and bothered, dripping unctuous droplets of delicious, delicious fat. It's a cozy place, and not ideal for groups. Afuri is basically one long L-shaped counter that borders the area where they make the ramen - so everything is done out in the open and nothing is left to the imagination. Instead of placing an order, you plug in what you want at the machine, take your ticket, and give it to whoever is at the front. Then you can take a seat once something opens up. I originally wanted to come here for lunch, but at 1:30 p.m. on a Saturday, I was out of luck - the line was out the door. I came back a couple of hours later, at around 5 p.m., and we were able to get in without waiting. Yes, it's good. Different from the usual tonkotsu, which I was definitely happy about.

Our last meal in Tokyo was a good one dining on fine ramen at Afuri! Located 5 minutes outside of Ebisu station, the location has seating for about 12 people, counter style. All seats face the open kitchen where you can watch them prepare your noodles. Ordering is via vending machine, and we went for the recommended option of Yuzu Shio and also had a Yuzu Shoyu! After you hand in your order ticket, you get to choose your borth type (light of heavy) and cha-su type (normal, corner cut pork, or sous-vide). The Yuzu broth gives a nice citrus flavor and the borth is light and not overbearing or salty like other ramen shops. Noodles were thin and they even had a small bit of crunchy greens that added a nice touch. Highly recommend

This quaint spot is tucked into a side street a couple blocks away from Ebisu station. When we got there a little before noon, there was no wait. As far as prices go, I thought the ramen was pretty expensive for Tokyo. It was almost ¥1200 for the yuzu shoyu/shio ramen without any extra toppings. I ordered the yuzu shoyu with regular toppings and opted for tanrei and a slice of pork. The food came out super fast! They offer you an apron, too, so you can slurp away with no fear of getting any broth on your clothes. A pitcher of water is right on the counter and self serve. The broth was just ok. I wish the noodles were thicker and wavier. The yuzu flavor was almost undetectable to me, unfortunately. I tasted the yuzu shio broth and much preferred it. It had a stronger yuzu flavor. For me, I thought this place was a little overhyped.

Okay, I don't give out 5 out of 5s unless I experience a meal that set the bar. This is a bar setting with bar-setting food. This place for me, as a vegetarian, made my heart soar. While there is only one vegan dish, it is seasonal and gorgeous. I had sought out several bowls of vegan ramen that all fell flat and removed me from the vending machine, sit down-eat-and get out experience I really wanted. Luckily, Afuri let me push a button and get the most beautiful bowl of ramen I've ever seen. You'll wait in a line, you'll push some buttons on a vending machine and then you'll give your tickets to a person who will ask you what kind of broth you want (if you ordered one of their non-vegan options.) My SO ordered the recommended Yuzu Shio and was nothing but complimentary about it's bright, complex flavor. He destroyed it. My vegan ramen took a bit longer as they boast its "farm to counter" seasonal vegetables. I looked up just in time to see the chef delicately placing garnishes on my bowl before proudly bringing it over to me. While it's the most expensive bowl (1250-1300 yen I think) it's worth the experience. This was pretty life-changing for me to say the least. It was fresh, clean, and had a depth of flavor I don't know how to describe and I'm sorry.

I ate a lot of ramen while in Japan. Sometimes twice per day. And I had Afuri twice, once in Harajuku and once in Ebisu, both with multiple people ordering multiple things. So I had the opportunity to try a few of their bowls. Overall, Afuri is great ramen compared to what you'll generally find in the states, but it's not quite my favorite in Japan. The primary soup here is shio (salt) ramen with yuzu citrus (yuzu shio ramen, to be exact). They also offer a spicy version and a tsukemen version of the same soup. Allegedly they have a spicy miso soup as well, and they definitely had a seasonal vegan ramen when we were there, which is why we kept going back. The veggie in our group was so happy to have a non-meat option! The broth is a nice, tangy, citrus-y version of shio - much more interesting than your average shio broth. However I'm more of a fan of the creamier miso and tonkotsu-style ramens. Also the noodles here are ultra thin, and I prefer thick. You can sub in thick noodles for an upcharge, which I did on my visit to this location, where I ordered the spicy style version of the soup, with a biru and extra pork. While I'm not as big a fan of this style of broth, they do a great job with it, and their pork is top notch. Service is great here, and they seem to have a decently high tolerance for English speakers. Also on my visit here I enjoyed a distinct lack of a line, while the wait at Harajuku was over an hour. Props for ease of ordering (pictures on the vending machine), tanginess of the yuzu, and friendly service. Double-props for offering truly vegan ramen. Yay! However I can't say that this would be my first choice of ramen in Japan simply based on style and the thinner noodles. That said, it's still pretty darn good ramen.

One of my favorite spots in Tokyo for ramen, we came back twice during our trip! You first walk in and order through a vending machine, then you hand your ticket to the staff and sit down. My bf and I ordered the Yuzu Shoyu ramen which was something different than what I've had in the states, it's a must try! You'd never expect having ramen with a citrus flavor in it. The second time I came I tried the spicy tsukemen which is a dipping ramen, which was sooo bomb too! Came here twice with no wait, plus the staff is super efficient and polite. The restaurant is so close to Ebisu station as well. Can't wait to come back!

Super-english friendly ramen. Yuzu-shiro ramen is king here and has zing and depth. Pork is roasted to order. I'm not totally blown away by ramen places but this one is in my top 5 list but not top 2. I'd say #3 world wide...I guess that says a lot. There's vegan friendly ramen here too (which I did not get). There's also a line but it goes fast...you'll be seated and leave within 20 minutes.

Afuri offers a twist to your typical ramen with yuzu flavors. I got the Yuzu Ratanmen, the only spicy ramen they offer. The presentation is beautiful! The broth was very oily from the chili oil but didn't offer much heat. It was citrus-y with a bit of tang. The noodles are unfortunately the thin kind. The egg and chashu were the stars! The chashu was smoky and fatty. I could have ate several more pieces! After having so much ramen in Japan, I realize that I personally prefer the traditional ramen. The richness and pork based broth is what oohs and ahhs me. Give Afuri a try if you would like a change from the typical ramen!

One of the best meals I've had in Japan. To be fair, I do love yuze and the use of citrus in general, so to have yuze play a prominent role in my ramen is probably one of the best things ever. The broth was light with just enough yuze, paired with thin noodles. It's one of those bowls where I can't help but smile and nod as i go, and no one should attempt to speak with me or divide my attention from what the meal is saying. A beautiful experience. My partner is not into citrus As much but he still enjoyed it and said the yuze was not overwhelming. He has the spicy one and it was a little too spicy for him to finish the broth. We went at opening and there was only a few people in line. It's a long but fairly wide bar, ao we were able to push our stroller through and keep baby in it while we ate, which is great in helping me enjoy my food! I don't think this would be possible during peak hours though.

Yuzu ramen? DOWN. I came here on my last day in Japan because honestly all that sushi, Japanese food, etc. has really gotten my stomach on the down. I didn't want to be full of carbs before an 11 hour flight but I didn't want to feel like I missed out ... in comes Afuri! I can't say I know what the name means, but this place is typical of many ramen places. You have to buy tickets from a vending machine and the ramen costs around $10-12 USD after conversion. I selected the standard popular Yuzu Shio Ramen choice and sat down at the counter. The staff was incredibly helpful, and you can choose between a fatter soup (mixed with chicken oil, yum? lol ...) or regular. I picked fatter, because fat. The soup came and it looked more oily than my friend's, but actually it was DEEEELICIOUS. It was actually the lightest ramen I've had all trip. Not only was it flavorful and tasty without being overly greasy, but it was also light and did not leave me in a food coma. A+++++++ would eat again 20x!

The ramen is great. I almost docked a star because it is just a tad more expensive than other ramen I've had in Tokyo by about 200 yen or so. I don't really understand why, but the taste is unique and quality seems high enough that I can't really rationalize docking the star. But it's worth noting. That being said, the ramen itself is excellent. The broth has yuzu lemon juice in it. Some other review mentioned it tasting like the broth is just lemon juice and too sour. But I don't think that's the case it all. It's a nice bright chicken broth and an excellent break from tonkotsu broths. Noodles were very well cooked and overall it's an easy bowl to slurp down before you know it's gone. Unlike many other bowls of ramen I've had in my lifetime, this bowl does not leave you feeling heavy or struggling to finish the last drop. It is one of the lighter bowls you'll have. But, there were several options I didn't take advantage of, including something that seemed like it would've made the broth heavier/fattier. I couldn't interpret the ordering machine correctly because my Japanese isn't good enough, so I went with all standard. But if you're just passing by, that should be enough. Maybe next time I'll bring a Japanese friend to help me customize my order properly.

This place is great. There were no lines both times I went and the turnaround from order to meal served is very quick. You order from the digital vending machine, which has pictures, English, and lets you customize your order. As someone who eats gluten free now, they have konjac noodles/ shiritaki which taste absolutely delicious and have a good texture. Just stick to the shio broths and avoid the menma, which according to their website is marinated in soy sauce. For those with celiac disease, you might want to double-check and call in for cross-contamination issues. But I think it should be possible to avoid as the noodles are the main culprit. Their yuzu shio ramen is the best. Don't be surprised by the citrusy taste of the broth- I can see how it might turn some people off, but I personally find it delicious. The prices are slightly more expensive than many other ramen places, but I feel it's worth it.

I did not like my ramen and I thought the prices were too high. I got the red, spicy ramen, and it tasted super lemony and sour, almost like the broth was just lemon juice. The portions seemed a little small for paying 1200+. They only have one kind of beer and it's more expensive than average. The service is very attentive.

Yuzu Ramen?! YESSSSSS! I mean seriously, I have never had anything like this before. First things first, you first order and pay at a vending machine. Then give your ticket to the man at the long counter. If there isn't a wait, then he'll seat you down. If not, you may have to wait. I waited for about ten minutes around 7pm on a weekday. This place is just full of locals. In fact, Ebisu is honestly one of my favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo. I digress. The ramen is freaken delicious. I mean. I love a ramen. But I love yuzu. And this yuzu broth is just right. Not to sour and not too sweet. Just right. Very Very yummy (btw, that's a Korean reference. Bonus points if you know what I'm sayin!) Overall, I highly recommend this place. I almost came here twice within five days. I stopped myself.. which was pretty dumb.

Good ... not great. Not sure why all the over-the-top - this is so great - reviews. It's solid - but not remarkable. In just this short stay in Tokyo, I've had multiple Ramen stops that top this one - by a lot.

So yeah, the place specializes in Yuzu/Tonkotsu broth - which adds a bright citrus-y gleam to the ramen. And that, somehow, makes all the difference. The "No. 1" ramen is excellent, but if you *really* feel like umami-ing your way through the ramen, go for the Tsukumen with cold noodles - you won't be unhappy.

They open at 11am, so be there at 11am. Order on the machine, grab your tickets and hand it to the server. Menu has English to make it easy for foreigners. They ask you if you want regular or richer broth. By the time we sat down, all counters were all completely filled. They play hip hop music in the background. They're popular ramen is the yuzu shio. Well worth it. Definitely unique with the hit of citrus. Taste light, not heavy like tonkatsu ramen from other ramen places. Service is fast and efficient

When I went to a hair salon in Tokyo, my stylist actually recommended this place and I'm glad I took her word and tried. Afuri is totally different from the plethora of ramen shops in this city because they infuse yuzu citrus in their ramen broth! Sounds weird but it actually works! I got the tsukemen and husband had the ramen and both had such an intense yuzu flavor it was incredible. The citrus, even though it was very strong, still left the broth light, since it's not a heavy, salty flavor that other ramen shops lean on. I highly recommend trying Afuri if you'd like to experience a new take on ramen in the city.

If you are in Ebisu definitely stop by and try this place! I came here late on a Friday night/ Saturday morning because everything else was closing and I had just gotten to Japan. It's very easily accessible by train or walking (right next to the Ebisu stop). The ramen here is amazing! Oh. My. Goodnes. I knew I was going to get my mind blown out of the water even though I had tried various types of ramen in New York but believe me when I say the flavors of the ramen at this place are like nothing I've ever had before. They are famous for their yuzu (kind of Japanese citrus fruit) flavored ramen. I ordered the Yuzuratan ramen (the spicy one) and it was the best combination of sour/tangy flavors and spice. Remember to bring cash and to pay up front at the vending machine. And note that if you want to order the spicy looking one it's called "yuzuraten". There was no "spicy yuzu shio ramen" option on the machine.

Open late so its great after a night out. Its also a lighter broth compared to others so you dont feel terrible the next morning. Highly recommend their yuzu shio if its your first time. Then move to other dishes. They also do tsukemen and lots of different cool seasonal bowls.

Yuzu. yuzu. yuzzzzzu. Yuzu is that citrus-y flavor a lot of restaurants put in sushi, in rice, in broth, in gyoza.. literally it goes with everything - and it's so good! Afuri has ramen and tsukemen options that have a good amount of yuzu in their broth. However, this is not the reason why we all loved it so much. We had their yuzu tsukemen, yuzu shio (salt) ramen, and yuzu shoyu (soy) ramen, and that's the order of our favorites. The tsukemen was soooooooo flavorful and the braised pork belly was so melt in your mouth, much better than the grilled pork slice. Make sure to ask for the noodles and broth hot if that's how you like it!