Tabelog ratingThis is the original shop of the late Minoru Sano, the 'Ramen Demon' who helped define modern clear-broth (tanrei) ramen. Several now-famous shops trained in this kitchen. It has been selected for Tabelog's regional ramen 'Tabelog 100' list every year from 2019 to 2025. The kitchen still makes a clear, chicken-forward broth in shoyu (soy sauce) and shio (salt) versions. The thin noodles are made in-house from Hokkaido wheat, and the bowls come with long, tender bamboo-shoot tips (hosaki menma). Seasonal specials, such as a cold peach ramen and a salt wonton-men with bushukan citrus, keep regulars coming back.
Most reviewers praise the balanced, drinkable shoyu broth, and many think the shio is the better bowl. The wonton are repeatedly singled out. Nearly everyone adds the kizami chashu gohan (chopped braised pork on rice) and the runny Nagoya Cochin seasoned egg. Many reviewers also mention the spotless kitchen and courteous, attentive staff.
The most common complaint is noodles that are too soft or go limp. Some reviewers, including an English-language one, found the broth bland, while others found it too salty. A few isolated reports describe a missed order that left one guest waiting 45 minutes, a badly washed bowl and a muddled queue dispute.
Reviewers in 2025–2026 paid around the following:
- Shoyu or shio ramen: ¥1,300–1,400
- Shoyu wonton-men: ¥1,700
- Kinkaton pork chashu-men: about ¥2,000
- Seasonal peach ramen: ¥2,500
- Cochin egg: ¥300
- Chashu rice: ¥600
Expect to spend ¥1,300–2,500 per person at lunch or dinner. That is fair value for the quality but not cheap for ramen. Most reviewers felt about ¥2,000 was justified. The premium-pork bowls at ¥2,400–3,300 drew the most 'not worth it' comments.
- Getting there: about 5 minutes' walk from Totsuka Station (JR Tokaido Line and Municipal Subway), west exit. The shop is just past the 'Seigen-in Entrance' traffic light on the old Tokaido road.
- Booking: reservations are not accepted; walk in and queue. Expect 10–20 people waiting at the 11:00 opening and a usual wait of 10–30 minutes. Mid-afternoon and weekday evenings are quieter.
- Ordering: wait outside until staff call you, then buy a ticket at the machine.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB and AMEX, transport IC cards such as Suica, and PayPay are accepted.
- Seats: 20 in total, with 8 at the counter and three tables for four. There are no private rooms. The room is quiet, with no music, and the toilet is upstairs.
- Children: welcome.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Parking: none, but there are small paid lots beside and opposite the shop, and paid parking at Totsukana Mall.