Ramen rush: Tokyo restaurant’s 20-minute rule crumbles under public pressure

Tokyo’s famed ramen restaurant Ramen Jiro, known for its massive portions, faced fierce backlash this week after introducing a controversial policy requiring customers to finish meals within 20 minutes.

The rule, intended to improve efficiency, ignited a firestorm online, drawing millions of views in heated discussions.

The restaurant first defended the measure, citing lengthy customer stays that disrupted operations. But criticism escalated after MMA fighter Yushi Sakura, 37, joined in to share his experience.

In a social media post, he recalled that staff pressured him to eat faster, leaving him so stressed he could only finish half his bowl. His viral post fueled the outcry.

Ramen Jiro initially doubled down, responding bluntly to complaints.

The restaurant simply replied “Go ahead” when responding to netizens’ comments about a boycott, further inflaming tensions.

However, some supporters argued the shop has long enforced unique rules, like banning phones, and saw the time limit as consistent with its no-frills culture.

After three days of backlash, the restaurant reversed course on July 7, apologizing for its "harsh language" and acknowledging miscommunication.

The restaurant’s owner Takumi Yamada will now take over control of the social media accounts to prevent future disputes.

(Katrina Tong)