Here is the most intimidating sentence in Japanese ramen: 「ニンニク入れますか？」 The counter goes quiet, the master is holding a ladle of raw garlic, and everyone is waiting for your answer. This is "the call" (コール) — your one chance to customize the monster bowl in front of you. (Jiro comes with nogarlic by default — that's why they ask.) Know the words, and you eat like a regular. Let's build your call.
Build Your Bowl
Tap your amount for each topping. The default ("Normal") needs no words — you only call out what you change. Your phrase appears at the bottom, ready to say in one breath the second the master asks.
Boiled bean sprouts and cabbage. A standard mound comes with the bowl; call to pile it higher.
Raw minced garlic. Direct Jiro comes with NONE by default — that's why they ask. (Inspired shops vary; see the note below.)
Melted pork back-fat. A little is already on the bowl — add more, or call "nuki" to remove it entirely.
Extra soy tare — makes the whole bowl saltier and more intense. Maxed out, it's called "kara-kara".
At a direct Jiro you can simply not mention it. But some shops add garlic by default — to be safe, say 「ニンニク抜きで」 (Ninniku nuki de— "no garlic, please"), either when the staff ask or when you hand over your meal ticket.
⚠️ It sounds like a spell, but you're just chaining the words for what you want — toppings sharing the same amount merge together (e.g. Yasai-Ninniku-Abura mashi-mashi). Calls vary shop to shop; when in doubt, watch the person ahead of you.
How the call actually works
- Wait to be asked. Don't shout your call on the way in. The master asks 「ニンニク入れますか？」 right as your bowl is assembled — that is your cue.
- Only name what you change. Everything left at "Standard" stays silent. Want nothing changed and no garlic? Just say 「そのまま」 (sonomama, "as is"). Want only garlic? Say 「ニンニク」.
- Mashi = more, Mashi-Mashi = a lot more. "Yasai mashi-mashi" builds a literal mountain of vegetables. Want everything bumped up at once? That's 「全マシ」 (zen-mashi). Be honest about your appetite — you must finish it.
- Say it once, clearly. The kitchen is loud and fast. One clean breath, then enjoy the ride.
One important catch: “direct” Jiro vs “Jiro-inspired”
Everything above — the call, and especially “no garlic by default” — is the rule at direct Ramen Jiro shops (直系): the official chain with the yellow signboard reading「ラーメン二郎 ○○店」. There the「ニンニク入れますか？」question is sacred.
But Japan is full of “Jiro-inspired” shops (二郎系 / インスパイア) — independent ramen-ya that copy the style without the official name. These set their own rules, so the garlic situation changes:
- Garlic already in. Some inspired shops add a little garlic automatically. To skip it, tell them “Ninniku nuki de” (no garlic) when you hand over your ticket — not at call time.
- Self-serve garlic. Many have no call system at all — there's a jar of minced garlic on the counter and you add your own.
- Menu exceptions. Even at direct shops, certain items (like mazesoba / “no-soup”) can arrive with fried garlic or a garlic-mayo sauce baked in.
So: at a yellow-sign direct Jiro, trust this simulator completely. At an inspired shop, glance at the counter for a garlic jar and watch how the person ahead of you orders before you commit.
First time? Order a small (小, "shō") — it's still enormous. Don't over-call your first bowl; "Yasai mashi" is plenty. Have cash ready, buy your ticket at the machine first, drink water, and finish everything — leaving food is a serious faux pas at Jiro.