After visiting Meiji Jingu Temple, I found myself in the Harajuku area feeling quite hungry and desperate to find somewhere to eat. Initially, I planned to try Ippudo, but I couldn’t locate the restaurant, so I ended up at a different ramen spot down a side street. The place seemed promising, with a decent line and many people inside, so I decided to try. Ordering was tricky since we had to use a vending machine, and we didn’t realise you had to insert money before selecting your meal.

I chose the Oreryu Otokomori ramen, which caught my attention due to its unique ingredients. The restaurant describes this signature dish as “My Own Style Manly Ramen,” featuring deep-fried chicken, char siu, and eggs. The “Gabachi” part of the name comes from the combination of fried garlic, butter (bataa), and cheese. The broth is a rich, spicy, and salty base with burnt garlic oil. I also ordered some gyoza because, well, my eyes were bigger than my stomach.

First, the gyoza arrived, and I was impressed. The skin was crisp and thin, and the seasoning in the filling was just right. I might even prefer these over Cantonese-style wontons.

When my ramen finally came, I was struck by its beauty despite missing a piece of karaage chicken. The vibrant colours of the soup, eggs, cheese, and char siu were visually stunning. After mixing everything, I took my first spoonful of the broth and was immediately impressed. The depth of flavour, combined with the spicy chilli oil floating on top, made for a wonderfully rich and satisfying soup. The noodles had a nice bite to them, and I enjoyed the contrast of the spinach. Adding karaage chicken was a great touch—it soaked up the soup and added a delightful flavour. The cheese was an interesting twist, bringing an extra layer of savoriness to the dish, while the char siu was perfectly cooked—tender, moist, and flavorful.

Halfway through my meal, a second piece of karaage chicken arrived, allowing me to try it independently with the mayonnaise they provided, as it was missing in my ramen bowl. It was fantastic—the crispy batter and juicy interior were a perfect match.

Overall, I was impressed with this little restaurant. It consistently churned out customers, and a line was always waiting to get in. The service was an excellent addition to the busy Harajuku area.

Website: Oreryushio Ramen

Address: Dice神宮前, 1階, 1 Chome-21-13 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan