Tabelog ratingOpened in 2001, ZUND-BAR is the original shop of the AFURI ramen chain. It sits in a converted old house beside a stream in the hills above the Nanasawa hot springs. Inside, it looks more like a dim black-and-steel bar than a ramen shop. One bowl is served only here: the ZUND-BAR Classic, noodles in plain broth with a bento-style tin of seared and braised chashu (roast pork), egg, bamboo shoots and greens. A little rice is hidden at the bottom to finish with the soup. The shop has been named in Tabelog's ramen "100" selection every year from 2019 to 2025.
Nearly every review praises the broth: clear and light, yet deep, made from chicken and seafood. You choose shio (salt) or shoyu (soy) and how much chicken fat goes in. The house signature is yuzu ramen, scented with citrus. Reviewers also like the fine wholegrain noodles, the smoky torched chashu and the setting. The vanilla soft-serve is a frequent highlight, and the aburi koro chashu-meshi (diced seared pork on rice) is often recommended.
The criticism centres on portions. Several reviewers find it expensive for what you get. There are no large sizes and no extra noodle refills, except with tsukemen (dipping noodles). Gyoza is called pricey and ordinary. Service is uneven: one guest's order was forgotten for 20 minutes, and another met one pleasant and one rude server. Some find the yuzu too strong.
Around 2026, reviewers paid roughly ¥1,190 for shio ramen, ¥1,290 for yuzu ramen, ¥1,510 for torched-chashu ramen and ¥1,860 for the ZUND-BAR Classic. Sides ran about ¥730 for chashu rice and ¥430 for soft-serve. Expect to spend about ¥1,300–2,300 per person at lunch or dinner.
It is fair value rather than a bargain. The quality is consistent, but big eaters may leave hungry. Reviewers consider the Classic the best deal.
- Getting there: from Hon-Atsugi Station, take bus Ats33, Ats34, Ats39 or Ats38 (about 30 minutes) to Nanazawa Hospital Entrance, then walk 7 minutes. There are also buses from Aikou Ishida Station (Ai11) and Isehara Station (I31, I34). Most guests drive: the shop is about 20–30 minutes from Atsugi IC and 10–15 minutes from Oyama Isehara IC on the Tomei Expressway.
- Parking: 33 spaces.
- Booking: no reservations, walk-in only. Weekend lunch queues can reach around 40 people or an hour's wait. At peak times, register at the ticket machine by the entrance (Air Wait) and you will be called by QR code or LINE. Arriving at opening or mid-afternoon usually means little or no wait.
- Ordering: verbally at the table. An English menu is available.
- Payment: cards (VISA, Master, JCB), electronic money (Suica and other transport IC cards, Rakuten Edy, nanaco, WAON, iD, QUICPay) and QR payments (PayPay, Rakuten Pay) are all accepted.
- Seating: 32 seats (25 at tables, 7 at the counter). No private rooms or private hire. Groups of 10 or more can be accommodated.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Families and access: children of all ages are welcome, and booster seats are available. Strollers are allowed. The shop is wheelchair accessible.
- Soft-serve: takeaway only at busy times.
