...it's not the first time I've come to this place to eat ramen...for me, the best in the area. Authentic, fast service, helpful staff. I recommend it without reservation.
Ramen restaurant
TONKOTSU RAMEN ICHIBANKEN - Thao Dien - Ramen restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City
+31
The Story
About This Place
The tonkotsu broth at Ichibanken is what keeps regulars returning — a deeply porky, creamy stock that manages to feel indulgent without tipping into saltiness. At 4.9 stars across more than 3,400 Google reviews, it ranks among the most consistently praised ramen spots in Thao Dien, a neighborhood where Japanese restaurants compete seriously for expat and local loyalty alike.
Noodle firmness is adjustable at the table, a small detail that signals the kitchen takes the craft seriously. The chashu arrives genuinely tender — soft enough to fall apart with minimal resistance — while the soft-boiled egg delivers that sought-after jammy, golden center. The garlic tonkotsu variant builds a roasted depth onto the base broth; the black garlic version goes further, darker and more complex. A spicy miso rounds out the core bowl options, though heat-seekers may want to request extra spice — the default leans mild by most standards.
The room leans into minimalist Japanese aesthetics: clean lines, orderly seating, nothing extraneous. Orders are placed via QR code from an English-language menu, which removes friction for international visitors. Portion sizes are generous enough that first-timers tend to underestimate them. Side options — dumplings, fried rice — extend the menu for groups with mixed appetites.
Sitting on Xuân Thủy and open daily from 11 AM to 11:30 PM, Ichibanken covers both the lunch rush and the late-dinner crowd, a range few ramen-focused spots in the area can match. Bike parking is available out front. The combination of serious broth technique, noodle customization, and consistent execution sets it apart in a corridor where Japanese restaurant quality can vary considerably.
tonkotsu brothgarlic tonkotsu ramenblack garlic ramennoodle firmness selectionmelt-in-your-mouth chashu
cozyminimalistcleancasual
Menu Highlights
What to order at TONKOTSU RAMEN ICHIBANKEN - Thao Dien
Fried Rice + Fried Chicken + Wontons in Spicy Sauce + Egg
325k VND
Fried Rice + Chicken Wings + Spicy Wontons + Egg
325k VND
Fried Rice + Fried Chicken + Pan-fried Wontons + Egg
306k VND
Fragrant fried rice, crispy fried chicken, tender dumplings, soft-boiled eggs.
Fried Rice + Chicken Wings + Pan-fried Wontons + Egg
306k VND
White Rice + Fried Chicken with Mayonnaise Sauce + Steamed Wontons in Spicy Sauce + Egg
280k VND
Fluffy white rice, crispy fried chicken with mayonnaise, spicy steamed dumplings.
Full menu below · prices in VND.
Reviews
4.9(4432)
Great service. They have ‘less salty’ option for ramen but personally it’s still quite salty for us. The mentaiko tokoyaki is a nice must-try side dish!
Takoyaki very delicous with hot deep fried and fresh octopus inside surrounded by a layer of dough and fried topped with a special sauce and fish eggs. Truly phenominal!!!
I go to this restaurant every time I crave ramen. There are so many options to choose from and you can customize your order to your liking. The food here is very flavorful and they have a variety of spices to add your dish. Love it!
It's Ramen shop. We got Tonkotsu, Champon and Gyoza. The Tonkotsu was quite normal, and Champon was better. Gyoza was also normal. As the price for the value, only Champon is ok for the price, the others were No. Then they require to scan the QR code to order, but the response by thr scannin the QR code was different on each device. They required to register them as friend on LINE on my device, and required email registration for my friends. Anyway without giving the personal information, we could not place the order. Only with this fact, I will never visit again. Anyway the inside of the shop was spacy, so it's better than the other small shop, but over all, it's expensive for the standard quality as Japanese own ramen shop. Actually they are located at very expensive location, so it's quite natural though. Ah one more thing, if you put good review on Google Map, then they give you a free drink. That's why the score on Google map is really good here. Lastly Champon tastes good and was good enough for the price though.
Visit Tips
Visiting TONKOTSU RAMEN ICHIBANKEN - Thao Dien
- ✓
Menu starts from: 13k VND, based on 68 priced items on the public menu.
- ✓
Reservations: Call +84 969 988 817 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
- ✓
Best for: ramen lovers, casual dinner, date night, late-night meals.
- ✓
Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.
gallery
38Photos
Food
Vietnamese pork soup
Vietnamese meal spread
Shrimp Vegetable Soup
Fried Rice with Spring Rolls
Vibe
Group of staff in red shirts and black aprons posing outside a ramen restaurant named "Ichiban Ken" (with Tonkotsu Ramen), located in Thao Dien, Saigo
Exterior of a ramen restaurant in Thao Dien, Saigon. The building features a prominent sign with 'TONKOTSU RAMEN ICHIBAN' and Vietnamese text. A group
A close-up of a dark wooden table in a restaurant in Thao Dien, Saigon. On the table, there's a black menu stand with a white card displaying a QR cod
The image depicts the interior of a restaurant located in Thao Dien, Saigon. It features a modern dining area with black bar stools arranged along a l
The image depicts the interior of a modern restaurant in Thao Dien, Saigon. It features a long counter with black stools that have red seats, position
Other
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
- What's the best dish at TONKOTSU RAMEN ICHIBANKEN - Thao Dien?
- Multiple reviews single out the garlic tonkotsu — one diner 'had every last drop of it.' The black garlic variant is noted for darker, more complex depth.
- Is parking available at TONKOTSU RAMEN ICHIBANKEN - Thao Dien?
- Bike parking is available out front. A reviewer confirmed 'Space for bike parking outside.'
- Is TONKOTSU RAMEN ICHIBANKEN - Thao Dien open for late night?
- The restaurant is open daily until 11:30 PM, covering both the lunch rush and late-dinner crowd.
- Is TONKOTSU RAMEN ICHIBANKEN - Thao Dien halal / pork-free?
- No — tonkotsu ramen is built on slow-cooked pork bone broth, and chashu pork is a standard topping.
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