Ramen chain Ippudo introduces plant-based chilled Karaka Ramen for summer in Japan

Global ramen restaurant chain 一風堂 Ippudo is introducing plant-based chilled Karaka Ramen this summer in nine locations in Japan for a limited time and in limited quantities. The 冷やしからか麺 hiyashi karaka men has been available from July 9th, 2022, exclusively at the Lumine Est Shinjuku branch in Tokyo, and will become available at eight other branches from July 22nd, 2022.

冷やしからか麺 (hiyashi karakamen | Chilled Karaka Ramen)

A stimulating bowl of cold, deliciously spicy noodle soup without the use of any animal ingredients, the Chilled Karaka Ramen is a colorful variation of Ippudo's popular Karaka Ramen noodles. The cold broth is based on kelp dashi and soy milk, and the spiciness is provided by Chinese chili oil and hot sauce. The noodles are medium-thick, flat noodles made from Japanese wheat. (Ippudo Lumine Est Shinjuku uses noodles with whole wheat flour, which is different from the noodles used at the other eight participating Ippudo stores.)

To accentuate the flavor and texture, marinated red cabbage and fried onions are added as toppings, and mango, pink grapefruit, pineapple, and fragrant mint are added for tropical color accents. Veggie meat miso, a plant-based meat substitute, is dissolved into the soup for a spicy kick. The dish also comes with a slice of lemon which you can squeeze midway through your meal for a refreshing change of flavor.

Ippudo hopes that vegetarians, vegans, as well as people who have never tried plant-based ramen before will enjoy this cold, delicious, and spicy dish perfect for summer.

Price: 1,200 JPY (incl. tax)

Chilled Karaka Ramen is limited to 20 orders per day per branch. The sales period will end as soon as all supplies are sold out at each of the participating branches.

Available at 9 Ippudo stores in Japan

Fukuoka Pref.: 大名本店 Daimyo Branch
Kumamoto Pref.: 熊本十禅寺店 Kumamoto Juzenji Branch
Tokyo: 銀座店 Ginza Branch
Tokyo: ルミネエスト新宿店 Lumine Est Shinjuku store
Tokyo: 浅草橋本店 Asakusabashi main store
Kanagawa Pref.: キュービックプラザ新横浜店 Cubic Plaza Shin-Yokohama
Aichi Pref.: 名古屋本店 Nagoya Branch
Osaka Pref.: 長堀店 Nagahori Branch
Osaka Pref.: 堀江店 Horie Branch

For more information, visit Ippudo's official website here.

Ippudo's plant-based offerings

Ippudo has been developing plant-based products in light of diversifying food lifestyles. Since February 2021, they've been offering plant-based versions of their signature menu items Akamaru Shin'aji (Modern) and Shiromaru Moto'aji (Classic) for limited periods of time.