China ramen shop, Ichran, denies copying Japanese eatery Ichiran, asks people to 'use their eyes'

A ramen shop in Beijing, China, has sparked controversy after it was accused of imitating popular Japanese tonkotsu ramen chain Ichiran, from its logo to the appearance of its ramen.

The shop, named “Honjitsu Ichiran Ramen”, was found in a commercial facility in Beijing, according to Japanese media reports.

Ichiran, which originated in Fukuoka and is known for its Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen, has outlets in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, but does not operate any outlets in mainland China or Beijing.

Logo similar to Ichiran but missing an “I”

Ichiran’s logo is known for its red circle and green brush-style lettering.

The logo used by the Beijing shop appeared to use a similar red, green and black colour scheme.

However, the logo on the Chinese food delivery platform read “ICHRAN” instead of “ICHIRAN”, with the second “I” missing, according to TV Asahi News.

The fake logo also included wording such as “Founded in the 65th year of the founding of the nation”, while Ichiran’s real logo states that it was founded in Showa 35.

Ichiran’s ramen is typically known for its tonkotsu pork bone broth, straight thin noodles and chilli-based “secret red sauce” placed in the middle of the bowl.

The Beijing shop’s ramen appeared to copy some of these features, including the red sauce, spring onions and chashu.

However, the Chinese version also came with toppings not usually found in Ichiran’s standard ramen in Japan, including a halved seasoned egg, bamboo shoots, fish cake and corn, according to FNN News.

Ichiran is also known for its “flavour concentration booths”, where customers sit in partitioned seats to focus on their ramen. Fuji News Network (FNN News) reported that the company has obtained a patent for this seating style.

However, the Beijing shop’s interior was reportedly different, with only simple desks and chairs instead of Ichiran-style booths.

"It mostly tastes like oil"

The taste was also reportedly far from the real thing.

After trying the ramen, an FNN News reporter said:

“The soup is extremely thin. It mostly tastes like oil, and there is hardly any tonkotsu flavour. The noodles are medium-thick and have the texture of udon with no firmness.”

Reviews on Chinese social media and food delivery platforms were just as harsh.

One customer review, cited by FNN News, said: “What is this? It was so bad I stopped after one bite.”

Another review cited by TV Asahi News said that, "the meat inside tasted sour. I was scared and spat it out immediately.”

Gendai Media also cited low-rated reviews saying, "I’d be better off eating instant noodles" and “The taste is nowhere near that of the real Ichiran".

Person in charge denies connection to Ichiran

FNN News said it confronted the person in charge of the Beijing shop, who denied any connection to Ichiran and rejected the suggestion that the logos were the same.

The person in charge said:

“We have no connection to Ichiran. How is Ichiran’s logo and my logo the same? Look at it with your own eyes. Are you saying they’re the same? Where? Where exactly? If green, red and black are colours exclusively for Ichiran, then I have nothing to say.”

A tourist from Shanghai who was interviewed in Japan also told FNN News:

“I think Ichiran is famous. At first glance, the fake Ichiran looks so similar that you could mistake it for the real thing.”

The shop later reportedly disappeared from searches on the food delivery app.

When TV Asahi’s reporting team visited the shop, the words “Honjitsu Ichiran Ramen” were seen at the site, but no one was inside.

A nearby shop staff member told TV Asahi News:

“They were here yesterday. They’re closed today. It seems they’re feeling a little unwell.”

TV Asahi News reported that the shop still appeared on the food delivery platform until May 19, but could no longer be found in searches on May 20.

Ichiran says it does not operate franchises

The real Ichiran has also posted a warning on its official website, calling for customers to be cautious about imitation stores.

Ichiran said on its website that there are currently “no stores in mainland China” and that it has “no relationship whatsoever” with such imitation stores.

The company added that it has confirmed the existence of stores “that appear to imitate” Ichiran’s logo, signboards, shop interiors and product names, and warned customers to check its official website for the latest list of authorised outlets.

Copycat shops resembling Ichiran have surfaced in China before, according to Gendai Media, including one called “Ranchi” that opened around 2018 and reportedly copied Ichiran’s booth seating system, ticket vending machine, water dispensers, cups and order sheets.