Tabelog ratingRaa Men Men Soushin has kept Shizuoka's asa-ra morning-ramen custom alive since 2010. It opens at 9:00 around a U-shaped counter where you watch each bowl being built. The noodles are made in-house and the broths use no chemical seasonings. Toppings come on a separate plate, so you taste the noodles and soup on their own first. It has been named to Tabelog's Ramen EAST "Tabelog 100" every year from 2018 to 2025.
Most praise goes to the tori soba Classic, a clear chicken-and-soy broth served with yuzu-scented chicken chashu and low-temperature pork. Many diners rank the niboshi soba (dried-sardine broth) just as highly, especially the shio (salt) version. Others single out the kombu-sui tsukesoba, which is dipping noodles in kelp water. Reviewers also name the cold summer specials, the bonito oi-gatsuo soba and the spicy makanai-don rice bowl. Staff are described as careful and calm.
The niboshi broth is bitter and intense, and some diners found it too strong or salty. A few reported cold or bland pork chashu, and some found the chicken bowls underpowered. Other complaints were slow service at busy times and a wrong order that was handled poorly. There are no condiments on the counter. One visitor found the shop unexpectedly closed three times.
Reviewers in 2024–2026 paid around ¥1,150–1,300 for the tori soba Classic, ¥1,150–1,400 for the niboshi soba and ¥1,000 for the plain kake tori soba. The special kombu-sui tsukesoba cost about ¥1,500 and a makanai-don ¥300–350. Extras were ¥150 for a large noodle portion and ¥100 for rice to finish the soup. Expect to spend ¥1,000–2,000 per person, and since it closes at 14:00, that is effectively a breakfast or lunch budget.
Value is broadly good. Regulars note that prices have crept up, and one visitor found the bowls pricey for how simple they look. Most reviewers say the craft and the quality of the toppings justify the cost.
- Getting there: 7 minutes on foot from Daikanmachi Station (Oigawa Railway), or 22 minutes downhill from JR Kanaya Station. The Shimada City Community Bus runs from JR Kanaya Station: get off at Sakaemachi Community Hall or Sakaedai Bridge West, then walk 4 minutes. The entrance faces the residential side, not the main road.
- Booking: reservations are not accepted, so you simply join the line. Queues of 15–20 form before 9:00, especially at weekends. The line may be cut off from around 13:00, and you cannot hold places in line for companions.
- Payment: buy a ticket at the machine. Credit cards, electronic money and QR payments are not accepted, so bring cash.
- Seats: 14 counter seats, with no private rooms.
- Children: welcome.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Parking: 18 free spaces. Parking at the Seven-Eleven next door is strictly prohibited.
- Closures: unannounced closures have been reported, so check the shop's social media before travelling.
