"Almost Like a Spot-the-Difference Puzzle": Japanese Outrage Over Chinese Ramen Shop's Copycat Logo and Sign

Similarities in Logo Colors, Brushstroke Font, and Menu Names
English Spelling Is "ICHRAN," Not "ICHIRAN"
Criticism Spreads on Social Media Over Beijing Store
Ichiran States "No Official Store in Mainland China"

A store in Beijing that appears to be imitating the famous Japanese ramen chain "Ichiran" (一蘭) has sparked controversy. The signboard colors, logo design, and even the menu names closely resemble those of the actual Ichiran, prompting Japanese and Chinese netizens to criticize it as "a spot-the-difference puzzle at this point."

On May 28, according to Yonhap News TV citing reports from Japan's Fuji News Network (FNN) and TBS, a new tonkotsu ramen restaurant in Beijing that closely mimics Ichiran's logo and menu structure has become a subject of debate. The store gained attention through Chinese delivery platforms and social media, and it is reported that its name includes the characters "一蘭."

Chiran uses a logo with a red circular background and green brushstroke-style lettering. The corresponding store in Beijing also displayed a similar design using a combination of red, green, and black. Screenshot from social media

The most controversial aspect is the logo. The actual Ichiran uses a logo with a red circular background and green brushstroke-style lettering. The Beijing store likewise displayed a similar design using a combination of red, green, and black. However, the English spelling on the sign reads "ICHRAN," missing one letter "I" compared to Ichiran's official "ICHIRAN." Additionally, while the original Ichiran sign says "Founded in Showa 35," the Beijing store's sign features the ambiguous phrase "Founded in the 65th year of the founding of the nation."

The menu names are also similar. According to TBS, the menu at this store includes an item called "Ichiran Tonkotsu Ramen" (一蘭豚骨拉面). The design of the ramen bowls and menu boards further evoke the image of Ichiran. However, Ichiran does not operate any official stores in mainland China. The official Ichiran website only lists pages for the United States, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and warns customers to beware of imitation stores and fraudulent websites. Ichiran has stated, "All Ichiran stores are directly managed. We do not operate franchises or 'noren-wake' (a system allowing long-serving employees to open their own branches with the same name and business style) outlets."

As the controversy grew, the FNN reporting team ordered and tasted the ramen themselves, ultimately giving it a mostly negative review. The reporters described the broth as "very thin, mostly oily, and lacking the typical tonkotsu flavor." Regarding the noodles, they said, "They are medium thickness and have a texture similar to udon, lacking any chewiness." Customer reviews on delivery sites also mention reactions such as "I stopped eating right away because it tasted so bad." A representative of the store told FNN, "Our shop has no relation to Ichiran." He further argued, "Where is my logo the same as Ichiran's? If green, red, and black are Ichiran's exclusive colors, then I have nothing else to say."

The FNN reporting team, who ordered and tasted the ramen firsthand, gave it a mostly negative review. The reporters described the broth as "very thin, mostly oily, and lacking the typical tonkotsu flavor." Photo by FNN

In Japan, public criticism is mounting. On social media, comments include, "They copied it so blatantly," "Isn't this a complete knockoff?" and "This is just like a spot-the-difference game." A Japanese patent attorney also pointed out on local television that "since the most important characters on the sign, '一蘭,' are identical, it is highly likely to constitute trademark infringement." An Ichiran spokesperson told Japanese media, "We are aware of this case and other imitation stores, and our legal team is currently responding." However, they did not comment on specific legal actions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.