Seinfeld fans will recall the colourful recurring character known affectionately as the Soup Nazi. He was famous for disagreeing – sometimes violently – with critical customers. Now, it appears, Kyoto, Japan has it’s own real-life Ramen Nazi!
A classic Ramen Bowl from a classic Tokyo Ramen shop. Always with
Asian Vermacelli noodles on the bottom and an egg on top!
Kyoto Ramen lovers will know that Toyojiro is one of the most popular soup shop chains in their city. And many are probably already aware that defying the owner’s wrath can mean, “No soup for you!” (See photo, top of page.)
Review at own risk…
Two customers recently left negative reviews after dining at a Toyojiro location. And someone ident-ifying themself as the owner immediately slapped back on the chain’s website.
“I saw your post, and you seem a bit weird. We try not to treat people like you as customers, so it’s fine. But you should probably avoid eating out. Someday, someone like you will get screwed. I don’t care—just come directly, and I’ll deal with you.”
The tirade went further: “We run a planned business, so if you get in our way, we’ll get in the way of yours too.” In fact, the company spokesperson posted a bounty of 100,000 yen ((US)$668.53) to any-one who could provide the name and whereabouts of either critical reviewer.
A bizarre twist…
“In a bizarre twist, he added that the bounty would remain until the customers returned, had another meal, and left a positive review with a photo included,” FoodBeast contributor Ayomari reported.
Then came the part the spokesperson could actually get arrested for. He recounted a face-to-face run in with one of the unhappy reviewers: “I told him I won’t forgive him otherwise — not even for the safety of his family. If he does that, he’ll be killed right away. This kid is so scared. He’ll really do it, so he’d better just come back and eat.”
Not unique
Toyojiro’s supernova-like reaction to the negative reviews is apparently not unique – or even unusual in the world of jiro-style ramen restaurants. but Toyojiro has a reputation as being especially nasty.
Other commenters to the owner’s Instagram post remarked that he’s previously prohibited reviewers from posting the menu on social media. The restaurant has also threatened to leak customer ident-ities online.
My take
Other sources have previously reported that, in Japan, Ramen restaurants are as prolific as coffee shops are in North America. And at least as competitive. But I’ve never hear of a Starbuck’s ‘repre-sentative’ threatening a dissatisfied customer with violence.
By contrast, it appears that, in the Jiro universe, it’s not uncommon for proprietors to make unhappy customers ‘offers they can’t refuse’!
I personally, don’t feel threatened. I’ve never met a Ramen Bowl I didn’t love. Neither have I ever felt anything but warm affection for a Vietnamese Pho. Nor a Singaporean Laksa. But you can bet that, from now on, I’ll steer clear of any Ramen resto I hear about who’s name has the siffix ‘jiro’.
Just in case…
~ Maggie J.