Keith Clarson
Google
First visit to the super popular HOOK [ 味噌っ子ふっく ] happened on Wednesday April 30th, 2025. I've heard that their Miso ramen is regarded by many as the best in Tokyo, so I was hoping that the line might be shorter because of Golden week. Nope! I arrived at 10:30am, only 30 mins before they opened, to find out that 30+ people had the same thought that I did.
Around 11am, a worker emerged and informed people on line that when the person in front of you comes back from going into the shop to purchase your tickets from the vending machine, then it will be your turn to do the same. For me, that occurred around 11:30am. I entered the shop and navigated the touch screen (which is only in Japanese, but they have photos so don't worry if you can't read Japanese) and chose the following:
Spicy Miso with Seasoned Egg and Chashu - 1530 yen
[ 味玉 ちゃ一しゅー辛味噌らーめん ]
Extra Noodles - 150 yen
[ 麺大盛 ]
Chashu Rice Bowl - 370 yen
[ ちゃ一しゅー飯ー ]
Extra Seasoned Egg - 150 yen
[ 味玉 ]
Extra Bean Sprouts - 50 yen
[ もやし増量 ]
Their vending machine accepts cashless payments in addition to cash. I used my PASMO card to pay for the meal. I got my tickets and thought I had to give them to the worker then and there, but he said no- so I went back to my space in the line with my tickets in hand.
Slowly the line got shorter and shorter and when there were about a dozen people in front of me, the worker came out and collected my tickets. A short while later at 12:12pm, after almost 1 hour and 45 minutes of waiting on line, I was asked to enter the store and shown to my seat at the counter which seats about 8 people.
A wonderful smell of miso permeated the air. I could also smell and hear the sizzling of my chashu being prepared, and then 2 minutes after sitting down my chashu rice bowl was first served- piping hot and steaming profusely. There was an abundant amount of thick chunks of chashu, covered in a thick robust sauce, and it was absolutely delicious. You would be wise to order this when you come here. I was unable to put the bowl down until every last morsel was devoured.
While inhaling the rice bowl, my attention was grabbed by the flames emerging from a wok that was being used to sauté the extra bean sprouts that I ordered, which were then promptly provided to me. Then, less than 10 minutes after being seated, the humongous bowl of spicy miso ramen was served.
5 super thick slices of chashu dominated the bowl, with a large handful of sauteed bean sprouts, with crimson chili oil covering half the bowl. Tried a spoonful of the soup and now I understand why people wait for hours for this ramen. Hands down this is the BEST miso ramen I have ever eaten! Super thick and really creamy, the soup was so smooth, and I think you can say "powerful" being so full of flavor. It was amazing. No wonder why the Tablelog rating is so high- these guys know what the heck they are doing.
The medium sized noodles were plentiful, nice and chewy, and held onto the soup with ease. The chashu was dense, super yummy, and very satisfying. The bean sprouts were light and crisp, and helped to mop up all that delectable miso soup.
I was very glad that I ordered the additional seasoned egg. They were so yummy. But to be honest, I was sooo full after this meal, I had to skip dinner altogether. I mean the whole meal must have been upwards of 1+ kg with all the toppings and extras I got. This was one hearty substantial meal.
Was it worth it to wait in line for almost 2 hours for this miso ramen? YUP!
Would I come back here again? YUP!
Next time I think I will try coming back later in the day- maybe like 2pm, and not try on a holiday. I know I will figure it out because there is no way that I will not return here again- it's just way too good to not come back here.
When I left the store at 12:45pm, there were 39 people still waiting. If HOOK is not on your radar yet, you better start planning to get your butt over here to eat some of the best damn miso ramen you will ever eat!
Thank you for a most memorable, undeniably delicious, and unforgettable meal !
