Tabelog ratingMenya Eguchi has quickly become a standout ramen destination in Nara, earning a place in the Tabelog Ramen WEST 100. Its distinction lies in a finely tuned broth, a clear and deep blend of dried fish (iriko) and animal stock (chicken and pork), which serves as the base for its shio, shoyu, and popular tsukemen offerings. What truly sets the shop apart, however, is its dedication to noodles; the owner mills and blends flour in-house to create noodles praised by diners for their smooth texture and perfect pairing with the soup.
Guests consistently praise the clarity and depth of the broth, the tender Kirishima Royal Pork chashu, and the perfectly seasoned soft-boiled eggs (味玉, ajitama). The tsukesoba (つけそば), or dipping noodles, are a frequent highlight. Alongside the ramen, the inexpensive but delicious rice side dishes, like chashu-takikomi-gohan (pork-seasoned rice), are considered a must-try. Staff hospitality is also frequently mentioned as a positive.
Be prepared for a wait, as queues of 20 to 60 minutes are common, especially on weekends. A few diners have found some bowls to be on the salty side, and noted occasional inconsistencies in noodle firmness. The typical spend for lunch is between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999. Reviewers recently paid around ¥1,100 for the Chuka Soba and ¥1,200 for the Tsukemen. Despite being slightly more expensive than a standard ramen shop, the consensus is that the quality and portion sizes offer excellent value.
- Booking: Reservations are not accepted; walk-ins only. Arrive early to minimize wait times, as queues are common.
- Getting There: Located a 7-minute walk from Kyobate Station on the Sakurai Line. Alternatively, several Nara Kotsu bus routes stop at Nanpouchou, right in front of the restaurant.
- Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Ordering: This is a ticket-machine restaurant. Purchase a ticket from the machine (券売機, kenbaiki) upon entry before taking a seat.
- Seating: The small shop has 12 seats, including 8 at the counter and a single table for 4.
- Parking: Parking is available next to and across from the shop.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
