A 50-Year-Old Guy vs. the Wall of Jiro Ramen: Finishing a Giant Bowl with All the Toppings

⏱️ Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

■This Blog Is for You If…

You’re curious about Jiro Ramen but too intimidated to try

You enjoy reading food challenge stories with a laugh

You want to relate to the joys and struggles of life after 50

You’re looking for inspiration for your own “bucket list”

You admire people who can turn even failure into a funny story

■Introduction

Even in your 50s, there are still challenges worth taking on.
One of mine: checking off “Finishing Jiro Ramen with All Toppings (Zenmashi)” from my bucket list.
This wasn’t about bragging — it was a day that shook both my stomach and my soul, and I’m here to share it with you, with a smile.

Table of Contents

The Bucket-List Dream

At the very top of my list stood one name: Jiro Ramen.
But not just any Jiro. I aimed for the final boss of the Jiro world — “Large Ramen, Zenmashi (all toppings, maxed out).”

This wasn’t about beating younger guys.
It was about proving something to my past self and my future self.
A man’s pure romance.

My First Encounter with Jiro

I first learned about Jiro Ramen in my 30s.
I went alone, thinking, “Let’s see what the fuss is about.”

And then the bowl appeared.

“What the heck is THIS?!”

A mountain of bean sprouts, thick pork slices, and shimmering back fat.
It didn’t look like ramen at all.
My first thought: “This isn’t ramen… it looks like pig feed!”

But once I took a bite, I realized — this wasn’t ramen.
Jiro is its own food genre.
And from that day, I slowly became hooked.

Frozen at the Ticket Machine

Years passed. Now in my 50s, I made up my mind:
“If not now, I’ll never do it.”

Standing at the ticket machine, my heart pounded.
The students in front of me all chose “Small.” Of course they did.
But before I knew it, my finger pressed “Large Ramen.”

Then the words slipped out of my mouth:
“Zenmashi, please.”
I had cast the forbidden spell.

What Is Zenmashi?

Jiro offers four free toppings:

Garlic: a warrior’s mark that lasts until tomorrow
Vegetables: a fortress of bean sprouts and cabbage
Fat (Abura): shimmering back fat, pure energy
Karame: extra soy sauce that defines the taste

To order Zenmashi means to max out ALL of them.
The ultimate move that tests your stomach and your spirit.

The Fortress Appears

DON! The bowl landed on the counter. The air shifted.

Sprouts forming castle walls.
Fat glistening like a moat.
Thick pork slices like towering gates.

This wasn’t ramen.
It was a ramen fortress.

The first bite? Pure bliss.
The sweetness of fat, the crunch of vegetables — perfect harmony.
I laughed to myself:

“Fat alone could be my side dish!”
“I could eat rice with just this fat!”

The first ten minutes were smooth sailing.
I wasn’t just in Jiro world. I was in the Jiro universe.

Hitting the Wall and Entering “The Zone”

Then came the wall. My stomach screamed: “Stop now!”

But suddenly, something strange happened — I entered the zone.
Beyond the limit, my chopsticks moved on their own.
The noodles disappeared into the black hole of my stomach.

Flavor Hacks That Saved Me

My late-game saviors were the seasonings:

White pepper
Chili flakes
Extra soy sauce

Just a sprinkle, and the soup felt new.
It was probably an illusion, but I thought, “I can keep going!”
Even as my brain trembled, I couldn’t help but laugh.

The Bittersweet Finish

I forced down the last noodles and toppings.
But the soup… impossible.

Victory and defeat blended together in one bittersweet ending.
But that was fine. Life doesn’t always require you to drink it all.
On the bike ride home, nauseous but refreshed, I felt oddly younger inside.

Next Challenge?

I survived Zenmashi. The first half was heaven. The last half, pure suffering.

Next time… Mashi-mashi (even more)? No way. That’s a black hole I can’t escape.

But deep down, I know — someday I’ll be back. And once again, I’ll cast the spell.
And once again, I’ll think:

“This isn’t ramen. This is Jiro — a genre of its own.”

Shop Info: Ramen Jiro Mejirodai

📍 Location: See on Google Maps

Hours
Mon–Wed, Fri, Sat: 11:00–14:30 / 17:30–20:30
Sun: 11:00–15:00
Closed Thursday
Parking / Bikes
Car: Nearby coin parking (Times available)
Motorbike: Across the street
Bicycle: Next to the shop

For Future Challengers

If you’re tempted to try Zenmashi yourself:

Start with a “Small” bowl, light on toppings
Go at your own pace
Use seasonings to change it up
Don’t worry if you can’t finish — it’s okay

The real victory isn’t in emptying the bowl.
It’s in taking on the challenge itself.
I did it in my 50s — so anyone can.
Maybe add a bowl of Jiro to your own bucket list.

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