“This is practically restaurant-quality ramen…” The “Four Heavenly Kings of Noodles” Put It to the Test—Convenience Store “Ultimate Chilled Ramen” Crowned!

Seven-Eleven’s “Ramen Walker-Supervised Chilled Pepper Soba” (now discontinued) was way too salty—! That topic spread like wildfire across social media this summer.

“Setting aside the pros and cons of the ‘Chilled Pepper Soba’ incident, it made me realize that chilled ramen has grown into a category that’s attracting a lot of attention. I expect 7-Eleven will listen to public feedback and release improved products in the future,” said Shinji Taya, a convenience store researcher.

The “Four Kings of Noodles”—convenience store researcher Shinji Taya, homemade ramen researcher Takeo Kanda, food culture researcher Ichiro Yamato, and food analyst Takao Shigemori—engaged in a heated debate to determine the ultimate bowl of ramen.

While FamilyMart is known for its many products developed in collaboration with renowned restaurants, Lawson has partnered with Tenka Ippin. The “Tenka Ippin-Supervised Rich Ramen” (697 yen) recreates Tenka Ippin’s rich broth and is priced at just under 700 yen.

[Click here for Part 1] The Ever-Evolving World of Convenience Store “Chilled Ramen”: The “Four Kings of Noodles” Put It to the Test! Deciding the Ultimate Champion

Not just supervised—it’s an original

—What other standout items does Lawson have?

Shigemori’s“Filling and Rich Pork Ramen” (745 yen) is also excellent. It’s a rich ramen with chewy noodles and a strong garlic flavor, featuring classic toppings like chashu pork, bean sprouts, and cabbage. While many other companies’ pork ramen products are developed in collaboration with other brands, Lawson has developed this one entirely on its own—which really shows their commitment.On the other hand, while it contains plenty of vegetables, they’re hidden beneath the chashu, so I feel it loses a bit of appeal visually. I think this product deserves more recognition.

Taya: My top pick is also the “Rich Pork Ramen.” It packs a punch, but compared to other companies’ pork ramen, I get the impression that the flavor is elegantly balanced. At 795 kcal, it’s also on the lower end for calories. I think the fact that neither the flavor nor the calorie count is too extreme actually gives it its own unique character.

Yamato: The “Too Luxurious! Meat-Packed, Filling Rich Pork Ramen,” a larger-portion version sold for a limited time from September through October, rivaled other companies’ pork ramen in both the volume of its toppings and its calorie count. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available. It was a really good product, so I’m hoping they’ll bring it back.

Healthy noodles are great, too

Yamato: So this time, I’d like to recommend the “One-Serving Vegetable Champon” (599 yen). This product is the polar opposite of “hearty” dishes; it features seven different ingredients and is designed to provide a full serving of vegetables.The focus on “eating plenty of vegetables” is clear. With so many products emphasizing meat, I really appreciate this approach of highlighting vegetables. It’s an authentic champon that pairs thick noodles with a mellow tonkotsu broth. It’s easy to eat and relatively low in calories. I also think the name is excellent—it really makes you want to try it.

The large portion is only 272 kcal—a low-calorie option that’s great for women and dads watching their weight. Saying this might lead some to mistakenly think it’s “just another health-conscious product.” However, the execution is truly impressive.The soup doesn’t rely on salt or pepper to mask its flavor; instead, it makes the most of the seafood broth and the natural sweetness of the cabbage. The vegetables are cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating, and it also includes shrimp and corn. And despite all that, it costs less than 600 yen. It’s an incredibly good value, and personally, I consider it Lawson’s number one product.

Kanda: Among the vegetable-focused items, the “Shinshu Miso Ramen with a Full Serving of Vegetables” (599 yen) was also delicious. It’s a classic miso ramen that makes the most of the rich umami of Shinshu miso. The vegetables are served in a quantity substantial enough to make it a complete meal, and their texture is enjoyable. This product really capitalizes on the strength of chilled foods—their pleasant texture.

——Let’s move on to the conclusion. Which is the best convenience store chilled ramen in terms of taste and value?

Shigemori: I’m torn between Lawson’s “Champon” and 7-Eleven’s “Miso Butter.”

Kanda: For me, it’s definitely FamilyMart’s “Carve History.” I think it’s a masterpiece of such high quality that it currently comes closest to matching restaurant-style ramen.

Yamato: I was torn between “ Carve History” and 7-Eleven’s “Tomida,” but I’d go with the latter. In terms of bold flavor and the quality of the chewy noodles, I feel 7-Eleven has a slight edge in both areas.

Shigemori: It’s a toss-up between those two.

Taya: I was torn between those two as well, but since “Carve History” offers a high level of authenticity and gives me the satisfaction of having eaten a pure Jiro-style ramen, I’m casting my vote for it. To be honest, I’d like to rotate between them. Even though they’re both pork ramen, they have distinct flavors, so I could easily eat these two for a whole week.

Shigem ori: It was a close call, but we’ve made a decision.

Yamato: In the past, I had the impression that convenience store chilled ramen was just a “substitute for when you can’t go to a ramen shop.” But now, it has evolved beyond being just a substitute into a genre where you can enjoy a whole new ramen experience. Perhaps we’re moving into an era where people say, “I eat this ramen precisely because it’s from a convenience store.”
The winner of the “Best Convenience Store Chilled Ramen” title was “Ramen-so: Carve Your Place in History—Supervised by FamilyMart’s Pork Ramen” (FamilyMart). Why not give this “hearty” bowl—which rivals anything you’d find at a restaurant—a try?

1st Place
Ramen-so: “Carve Your Mark in History” Supervised by FamilyMart Pork Ramen 　FamilyMart

2nd Place
Super-Sized Pork Ramen, Supervised by Chuka Soba Tomita—7-Eleven

Product photos are sourced from each company’s website. The products featured here are as of October 20; prices are subject to change, and products may be discontinued.

From the November 6, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*