A blaze erupted at the Shinjuku Kabukicho branch of Ramen Jiro, a beloved chain renowned for its generous portions and cult-like following, on Tuesday. Despite the flames, patrons remained undeterred, continuing to savor their noodle bowls as staff carried on with their duties until the situation escalated.
Witnesses recounted the surreal scene as customers, known affectionately as “Jirorians,” calmly slurped their noodles amidst rising smoke and flames. “They kept operating as usual despite the fire and smoke,” shared one diner, noting approximately 15 patrons were present during the incident. Another recounted the sudden panic among staff, expressing disbelief at unexpectedly being caught in a fire while simply intending to enjoy a meal.
Prompt evacuation efforts ensued, thankfully resulting in no reported injuries. Authorities from the Metropolitan Police and Tokyo Fire departments are actively investigating the cause of the fire, while loyal patrons, demonstrating unwavering dedication, continued to queue outside the premises even as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
Ramen Jiro, founded by Takumi Yamada in Tokyo’s Meguro district in 1968, initially served thinner and lighter dishes before evolving to its distinctive, hearty flavor with the aid of a nearby Chinese restaurant. Its popularity soared in the 1970s, particularly among Keio University students, leading to its expansion to over 40 locations across Japan, with a significant presence in the Greater Tokyo area. Notably, the chain received international recognition in 2009 when it was featured in the Guardian’s list of “The 50 best things to eat in the world, and where to eat them.”
