ラーメン屋トイ・ボックス

It was tiny & confusing & delicious and worth every second of frustration I felt as an idiot tourist who spoke almost no Japanese. The picture of the counter on the Michelin Site with 8 seats? That’s it. The whole restaurant. It really *is* a Toy Box. And do not be discouraged at all by the line up ...outside the door. Most take theirs to-go. My wait mid-afternoon was about 30 minutes. I waited in line before realizing I needed to go inside first & purchase a “ticket” from a machine in the corner of the restaurant with the type of ramen you want. I pulled out my phone annnd my translator didn’t work. So I went for the top left corner & hoped for the best. (Worked out great, was their most popular Soy Sauce Ramen) At some point as you approach the front of the line, someone from the shop will get your ticket & they’ll start working on your order. Eventually they’ll seat you. Obviously this is an eat your ramen & LEAVE place. Do not dawdle over your phone, there’s a line up waiting for your seat! When you go in, you’ll get a cloth & a glass & some chopsticks. There is a pitcher of water on the counter. That’s what you’ll drink. I didn’t see anything else offered, but who cares? I came for the main event and it did not disappoint! This was a revelation to all of my senses. The broth was glorious. I understand why they’re still using a family recipe. I hope they never change it. I also hope they can it & import it to Canada… The meat was tender, veggies still crisp & the noodles had the perfect chew. It made for the most satisfying slurp of my entire vacation. I was a little embarrassed when they offered me a fork, I wasn’t struggling with chop sticks, but was probably eating more slowly than they wanted, lol…I was savouring! I sped up & continued with the chop sticks. When in Japan… This place was a tiny hole in the wall, but if you’re like me? You’ll know that tiny hole in the walls can make the very best food. This is absolutely one of those places. Highly Recommended!

October 2023に訪問

Finally made into Toy Box, after being through so many of the top-rated ramen restaurants throughout the country. Somehow the opening times and location were never too convenient for my visits. I got there at 2:10 and still waited in line for some 30-40 minutes. The staff is not much friendly, unsur...prisingly, as the chef is a disciple of one of Japan's famous soup na2is. But they will be helpful. And all the wait is 100% worth. I went for the recommended ajitama chashu shoyu ramen. A masterpiece of ramen. Of course chashu, negi, noodle and menma (oh, that long, stringy menma!...) are all perfect, but the soup is beyond perfect. One could never imagine that a soup so full of flavours and loaded with umami could be so golden, translucent, light and delicate. Indeed that combination of the chicken soup, a tiny spritz of shoyu tare and the chicken oil is beyond perfection. For someone who used to sell Redbro chickens to Japan, I am very proud to get the most pleasant proof that something great has been made out of these birds.

March 2024に訪問

I finally made it out to Ramen-Ya Toy Box and was not disappointed. I was worried when I bought the ticket from the machine because I can't read Japanese and there was nothing marked to help out the gaigin, but I ended up with soy sauce ramen and it was purely perfection! My friend chose miso rame...n and said it was the best. The flavor was so simple and pure! All the ingredients were fresh. There is also a secret ingredient and you can discover that when you watch them make your ramen. The location is a bit far for me, but I combined it with a little excursion on the Sakura Tram which starts at the Minowabashi station.

March 2021に訪問