MATSUBARA, Osaka -- At Ramen Tenqoo no Shiro in Matsubara, Osaka Prefecture, you don't sit and wait for your bowl of noodles to be served. Instead, you can try your hand at making ramen like a pro.
Start by choosing your favorite soup base out of an array of regional varieties from all over the country, then boil the noodles you want, draining them before preparing your original version.
The shop is operated by Neoll, a company based in the city involved mainly in electrical construction whose president, Masahiko Yonago, is a ramen enthusiast.
"I want customers to stuff themselves with ramen they made themselves," he said.
Yonago wanted to create a place where people could enjoy various kinds of ramen from around the country. He learned to make ramen in Kagawa Prefecture and opened the shop in February last year.
Ramen Tenqoo no Shiro can accommodate about 70 people. The shop has induction stoves and other equipment that customers can use to make their own ramen. There are more than 10 kinds of soup on offer, such as those made from pork bones, beef bones, white chicken broth or seafood. Ten varieties of noodles are available with different thicknesses and shapes. Customers cook their own ramen, getting advice from staff members.
"It's interesting that we can enjoy making ramen on our own and also eating various types of ramen," said Hideaki Joko, who was visiting the shop from the city of Osaka with his family.
Shop staff member Rina Nagano said, "We hope that foreign tourists will visit our place so that we can promote the charms of ramen."
The cost is 1,980 yen for adults, 1,180 yen for elementary school students and 880 yen for younger children for a 60-minute all-you-can-eat option. For 90 minutes of the same, the price is 2,480 yen for adults, 1,380 yen for elementary school students and 1,080 yen for younger children. Prices do not include tax.
Ramen Tenqoo no Shiro
Open: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on Mondays (Tuesday when a national holiday falls on Monday)
Open on weekdays only for reservations of 10 or more people.
Address: 1-280-1 Miyakenishi, Matsubara, Osaka Prefecture
Phone: (072) 289-9001
Credit cards accepted
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