Does anyone yearn to hear the sound of “Irasshaimase!” when you visit a Japanese ramen shop? The episode of the Japanese TV program “Monday Night Late Show” which was released on March 18, 2019, introduced a very silent ramen shopkeeper. After the broadcast, the shop has become popular. Let’s see what’s so special about the ramen shop together!
There is no greeting when you enter the shop, no response when you order, and no words when serving. The shopkeeper even put your change next to the cashier wordlessly that you have to take care of yourself.
As people are longing to hear the shopkeeper speak, the show had sent staff to the shop to experiment that when will the shopkeeper start to speak to the guests.
While the shopkeeper was taking a break, he kept peeking the staff who pretended to be a guest for 15 minutes, then finally spoke to the staff and said he has not heard him order yet. At this moment, the staff decided to interview the shopkeeper- Mr. Takahashi.
At first, the shopkeeper said that he was afraid that having a conflict with guests if he echoed after the guests had made the order. So he kept silent. The host of the program wondered that silence caused more conflicts instead. Afterwards, the shopkeeper said honestly that he felt tired to talk.
As he feels sorry for his silence, he usually adds more toppings to the ramen.
Are you interested in visiting this ramen shop? It is called “緑ヶ丘 らい久”, located in Hokkaido. The ramen shop closes on every Tuesday. The shop will be closed earlier than its usual closing time if there is a lack of ingredients.
Ever since the interview on TV, some netizens have also shared their feelings about this ramen shop on Twitter.
おはようございます😄
昨夜の「月曜から夜更かし」に岩見沢のラーメン店『緑ヶ丘 らい久』が出てた模様😳全国放送？
いらっしゃいませ無いし、注文しても返事返ってこないので初めての人は戸惑います。店の事知ってる人と行った方がいいでしょうね〜
本店よりもココが地元の味がして一番好きです😋 pic.twitter.com/M1OJHIhL0M
— 日和 (@kotun5) March 18, 2019
Some excerpts in English：
You may be confused if you came here for the first time as there is no “welcome” and no response when you order so you better come with someone who has already known this shop. I like this kind of shop that can make me feel like home!
2年ぶりの訪問。少し不思議な味で美味くて腹一杯になるけど、店主の無愛想さは折り紙つき。全て2年前と変わってないね。 (@ らい久 緑ヶ丘店) https://t.co/OBqUaZYxbz pic.twitter.com/Jrh5dN6n0E
— おなかちゃん／kenken76 (@as_kenken76) February 17, 2018
Another netizen said he came back to this place two years later, the ramen here is strangely good and the portion is big enough. The shopkeeper may be quiet but the food is satisfying, nothing has changed in the past two years.
緑ヶ丘 らい久（Raikyu）
Address: 1-chōme-110-12 Midorigaoka, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido
Business hours:
Manday: 11:30~14:00
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday to Sunday: 11:30~19:00
