For many visiting Japan, "Ichiran Ramen" is the first name that pops into mind! Love it or hate it, there's no denying its massive popularity with tourists. With branches open for years in Taiwan and its convenient 24-hour service, it's become a go-to for late-night cravings.
But now, Ichiran Ramen seems to have been "cloned" by a Chinese eatery. A ramen shop in Beijing, dubbed "Fake Ichiran" (ニセ一蘭) by Japanese netizens, has sparked a huge controversy. Not only are the logo, color scheme, and menu eerily similar, but even the ramen plating is a dead ringer for the original.
Currently, Ichiran boasts eight overseas locations, but Beijing isn't one of them. Yet, a place called "Honzitsu Ichiran Ramen" (本日一蘭拉麵) suddenly popped up on Chinese social media, leaving many netizens stunned. Comments like "This is a total rip-off of Ichiran!" and "It's way too similar" quickly made the shop a hot topic back in Japan.
Located inside a Beijing mall, the shop's interior heavily features red, black, and green – giving off serious Ichiran vibes. The menu even prominently advertises "Japanese-style Tonkotsu Ramen." What's even wilder is that the logo is practically identical to the original, just missing a single letter: "I."
Even the ramen itself is an obvious imitation: the arrangement of green onions, the central red sauce, and the char siu placement all scream Ichiran. And to top it off, the packaging features the baffling phrase "Founded 65 years after the establishment of the nation," leaving everyone scratching their heads.
When Japanese media actually visited "Honzitsu Ichiran Ramen" to inquire about its connection to the real Ichiran, the staff's response was surprisingly defiant. The owner stated, "We have no connection to Ichiran." They even shot back, "How is my logo the same as Ichiran's? Take a look yourself! Where's the resemblance?" They further emphasized, "If red, green, and black are exclusively Ichiran's colors, then I have nothing more to say."
This has understandably angered many Japanese netizens, who feel it's typical of a country perceived to disregard trademark rights, though the brazen response still sparked outrage.
In response, Japan's Ichiran has issued an alert on its official website, stating: "Our company is aware of this case and other instances of imitation shops, and our legal department is currently handling the matter."
While the discussion continues to rage, whether Ichiran's official statement will truly impact this "fake Ichiran" operating far away in China remains to be seen.