Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo Kanda Honten is in Kajicho in Kanda, in Chiyoda, in the middle of central Tokyo. The concept is clear and a little nerdy: miso ramen where the heat is split into two parts. Kara is the regular chili heat, and shibi is the tingling, numbing sensation from sansho and Sichuan pepper. You choose the strength of each separately, and if you really want to push your limits, you can pay extra for the even hotter Oni level. You order from a ticket machine. There you first pick which ramen you want, then any extras, such as extra coriander or even a double portion of coriander. A very focused place that does one thing and has geeked out properly on it.
Sometimes the reason is simple. I love Sichuan pepper and that special tingling, almost numbing sensation it gives, and that's exactly what Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo is known for. So the choice wasn't hard. When we got there, the queue didn't look too bad at first, maybe five parties ahead of us. Pretty quickly, though, we realized it carried on across the street. In total it took about 40 minutes before we got in and were seated, and it was absolutely worth the wait.
Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo Kanda Honten is in Kajicho in Kanda, in Chiyoda, in the middle of central Tokyo. The concept is clear and a little nerdy: miso ramen where the heat is split into two parts. Kara is the regular chili heat, and shibi is the tingling, numbing sensation from sansho and Sichuan pepper. You choose the strength of each separately, and if you really want to push your limits, you can pay extra for the even hotter Oni level. You order from a ticket machine. There you first pick which ramen you want, then any extras, such as extra coriander or even a double portion of coriander. A very focused place that does one thing and has geeked out properly on it.
I went for the Double Big Pork Ramen for 2,320 yen, the seriously meaty version of their Karashibi Miso Ramen, and chose very spicy for both kara and shibi. It truly delivered. It was an incredibly flavorful and powerful miso ramen with serious heat, plenty of meat and, above all, that wonderful tingling sensation from the Sichuan pepper. The best part is how much flavor there is behind the heat. It never feels like the spice is there just for the sake of it; it's part of a well-balanced, thoughtfully made bowl.
The ordering process is a bit unusual and not entirely obvious the first time. You start by joining the queue, and after a while a staff member comes out and asks how many people are in your group. As you approach the entrance, you're directed to the machine, where you order and pay. You take the ticket that comes out back to the queue. After a while the staff collect it and ask what strength you want for kara and shibi. It may sound complicated, but it's an efficient system. Once inside, things move much faster, and the ramen arrives soon after you sit down.
Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo is a place for anyone who likes spicy food, but above all a must if you, like me, love Sichuan pepper. Expect a queue, and probably a longer one than it first appears. Keep an eye on the staff so you follow the steps with the machine and the ticket. My tip is to dare to go high on shibi, because that's where the place really stands out. If you're really brave, the Oni level awaits.
