Your first Jiro-style ramen: choosing a shop, portion size, and how to order
Plenty of vegetables, large pieces of pork, and satisfying noodles. Even if some people look at the photo of Jiro-style ramen and think, “I want to try it,'' they might stop because they are concerned about the quantity and how to order.
On your first visit, focus on choosing a portion you can finish and clearly stating preferences such as whether you want garlic.
In this article, we will use Butayama as a specific example, for which the amount of noodles and how to order are posted on the official website. Butayama is not Ramen Jiro itself, but a different brand Jiro-inspired ramen store. Please do not use the amounts and procedures introduced here as common rules for other stores, including Ramen Jiro.[S10][S16]
In this article
- When choosing a store, make sure you can find the information you need for the first time.
- "Small ramen" does not necessarily mean a small amount.
- Order confirmation is easier to understand by dividing it into stages.
- 4 words to remember
- A first-order example: choose a mini and say whether you want garlic
- Eat comfortably and in a quantity that you can enjoy till the end.
- Sources and verification dates
- Related articles
Your first Jiro-style ramen, 4 steps
Remember to separate the discussion of quantities and the confirmation of toppings.
- 01
Check store information
Check your meal ticket and line order.
Before entering the store and ordering - 02
Choose the amount you can eat
Ask about fewer noodles before cooking starts
Before cooking - 03
If asked, tell them what you like
Be clear: “Ninniku nuki” means no garlic
When asked about your preference - 04
enjoy it effortlessly
Calmly choose the amount that suits you.
enjoy the meal
karame=Intensify the flavor. Not adding chili pepper.
At Butayama, the firmness of the noodles is checked when collecting the ticket, and other preferences are checked just before serving. This is a different stage from consulting about the amount of noodles. Source S10
Explanatory illustration. Ordering methods vary by store. Please give priority to each store's information.
When choosing a store, make sure you can find the information you need for the first time.
When choosing your first restaurant, look not only at its popularity ranking, but also to see if the official menu lists the amount of noodles, if small sizes are available, and if you can read the ordering instructions.
Clear information is especially helpful when the ordering process is unfamiliar. Start with a shop where you feel comfortable ordering a manageable meal, rather than seeking the most extreme bowl.
"Small ramen" does not necessarily mean a small amount.
Butayama's official menu explains that the small size is about the size of a large serving at a typical ramen restaurant. The listed noodle quantities are as follows:[S10]
You can view the table by scrolling horizontally.
| Butayama size | Amount of noodles listed on the official menu |
|---|---|
| mini ramen | 125g |
| small ramen | 250g |
| large ramen | 375g |
These noodle quantities were listed on the official menu checked on September 27, 2026. They refer to the noodles, not the total weight of the bowl. A “small” at another shop does not necessarily mean 250 g.[S10]
If you are unsure about the portion, consider the mini size. Ask the staff whether they can reduce the noodles further if needed. Fewer vegetables and fewer noodles are separate requests.
Order confirmation is easier to understand by dividing it into stages.
First, check the line up and order of ticket purchases at the store. It is important not to simply apply procedures you have experienced at other stores.
If you want fewer noodles, tell the staff before cooking begins, at the point when the shop checks noodle quantity. Topping preferences such as garlic are a separate step. At Butayama, the staff ask about noodle firmness when they collect your meal ticket; they ask about other preferences just before serving.[S10]
Wait for the staff to ask about your preferences. If you do not understand, you can say: “This is my first visit. Please tell me how to order.”.
4 words to remember
Illustration key
- ninniku
- yasai
- abura
- karame
The following is an explanation according to the official information of Butayama.[S11]
You can view the table by scrolling horizontally.
| words | What it refers to | Points that first-time users should be aware of |
|---|---|---|
| ninniku | Garlic to add | If you don't need it, clearly tell them to remove it. |
| yasai | amount of vegetables | Even if you reduce the amount of vegetables, the amount of noodles will not change. |
| abura | Adding backfat | Pork back fat is different from the chicken oil used in Iekei |
| karame | A request for stronger seasoning | It's not an order to add spiciness from chili peppers. |
In particular, "karame" should not be confused with the English word "spicy." Butayama lists it under seasoning strength.[S11]
Also, saying "mashi-mashi" is not a condition for enjoying Jiro-style ramen. Before increasing the amount, make sure that the standard amount is suitable for you.
A first-order example: choose a mini and say whether you want garlic
Illustration key
- No garlic — ninniku nuki
This is an example of when you want to try a small amount. Choose mini ramen with Butayama and when asked what you like, say the following:
“No garlic and fewer vegetables, please.”「ニンニク抜き、野菜少なめでお願いします。」
If the staff then ask about seasoning or back fat, say that standard amounts are fine. If you want a little garlic, ask for “ninniku sukoshi.” Butayama’s official instructions offer no garlic, a little garlic, and fewer vegetables.[S11]
The meaning in English is: No garlic and fewer vegetables, please. In Japanese, Ninniku nuki, yasai sukuname de onegaishimasu.. English service is not guaranteed. You can also show the Japanese sentence on your screen when asking the staff.
This is just a suggestion using Butayama as an example. Prioritize the display of the store you visit and the questions asked by the store staff. Be sure to check for allergies and dietary restrictions separately from ordering these toppings.
Eat comfortably and in a quantity that you can enjoy till the end.
You don't have to match even if everyone around you has a large portion. Rather than increasing the amount for the photo, choose the amount that will make you feel “delicious'' when you finish eating.
There is no need to force yourself to drink all the soup. The Japan National Tourism Organization also advises that you can leave the ramen soup behind. After you finish eating, be considerate and offer your seat to those who are waiting.[S04]
The aim of your first Jiro-style ramen is an enjoyable experience that makes you want to return. Start with a manageable portion and make small changes to suit your taste next time.
Sources and verification dates
The information in the text is based on the manuscript as of September 27, 2026. Please check the official information of each store before visiting for business hours, regular holidays, ordering methods, amount of noodles, etc.
- S10 Ramen Butayama official | Menu, ordering method, amount of noodles Go to main text1 ↑ Go to main text 2 ↑ Go to main text3 ↑ Go to main text4 ↑
- S16 GIFT Co., Ltd. job posting | Description Jiro-inspired ramen of Butayama Go to main text ↑
- S11 Ramen Butayama Official｜Ordering Guidelines Go to main text1 ↑ Go to main text 2 ↑ Go to main text3 ↑
- S04 Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) | Ramen Go to main text ↑