Shodai Menya Tonosaki
Created date: 2026/10/08,
Update date: 2026/10/08
Famed for its intensely hand-kneaded extra-thick artisan noodles massaged to order, Shodai Menya Tonosaki in Akita City delivers unrivaled texture. Savor a piping-hot, multi-layered broth blending fragrant dried sardines with rich pork bone, crowned with sweet backfat and flame-charred rolled chashu.
Traveler's Quick Ramen Guide
Payment
Cash recommended (Ticket Vending Machine)
Order Style
Purchase ticket inside entrance before/at seating
Water & Service
Free self-service (water pitchers on counter)
🔰 4 Simple Steps to Enjoy Ramen in Japan
- 1. Buy Ticket (食券): Choose your bowl & extra toppings at the vending machine.
- 2. Hand Ticket: Sit down and place your ticket on the raised counter for the chef.
- 3. Customization: When asked for preferences, "Futsuu" means normal/standard taste.
- 4. Courtesy: Place your empty bowl on the upper counter and wipe your space with the cloth.
Table of Contents
Shop Overview
Features & Commitments
- Located in Kogawasoe, Akita City, a 10-minute walk from JR Ugo-Ushijima Station, Tonosaki is famous for serving robust morning ramen (“asa-ra”) starting from 7:00 AM.
- The hallmark of the shop is the master’s passionate hand-kneading (“temomi”) of high-hydration, extra-thick noodles for every single order, putting his full body weight into creating intense wavy ridges and bouncy elasticity.
- The signature “Temomi Chukasoba” features a hearty, multi-dimensional soup layered with concentrated dried sardine (niboshi) dashi and thick, savory pork-and-chicken bone stock.
- The surface is dotted with clean, sweet melted pork backfat (seabura), sealing in sizzling heat and imparting luscious richness without greasiness.
- Thick rolled pork belly chashu slices are seared to order with a handheld blowtorch, filling the shop with mouth-watering smoky aromas as the fat melts directly into the broth.
- The morning service from 7:00 to 9:30 AM features a lighter, soothing morning sardine broth (Asa Niboshi Soba), deeply cherished by early risers and shift workers across Akita.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 10-6 Kogawasoe, Akita City, Akita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 10-min walk from JR Ugo-Ushijima Station, or 10-min drive from JR Akita Station |
| Phone | 018-838-1616 |
| Hours | Morning: 7:00–9:30 / Lunch: 11:00–14:30 (Closes early once broth runs out) |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Holiday Notices | Posted on owner’s official social accounts |
| Seating | 18 seats (Counter and table seating), strictly non-smoking |
| Smoking | Strictly Non-Smoking |
| Parking | Available (Dedicated and shared parking for approx. 10 cars) |
| Official SNS | Official X (Twitter) & Instagram |
| Official Website | None |
| Other Portals | Highly rated on Tabelog & Google Reviews |
Major Menu Items
| Recommended | Category | Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ | Ramen | Temomi (Hand-Kneaded) Chukasoba | 800 yen |
| ★ | Ramen | Rich Temomi Chukasoba (Extra Backfat) | 850 yen |
| ★ | Ramen | Morning Niboshi Soba (7:00–9:30 AM) | 650 yen |
| - | Topping | Extra Torched Chashu / Ajitama | 250 yen / 100 yen |
| - | Rice | Torched Meat Rice (Aburi Niku Meshi) | 280 yen |
Story & Background: Why This Shop Is Revered
Roots and Dedication
- Extra-thick noodles hand-kneaded with master’s weight : The undulating ridges cling to copious broth, bursting with wheat sweetness on every chew.
- Golden triad of niboshi, animal broth, and pork backfat : Combining the pungent punch of dried sardines with the smooth, round sweetness of quality backfat.
- Energizing morning ramen ritual : Offering early-morning commuters and travelers warm, comforting dashi from 7:00 AM.
Recommended Dining Steps
- Experience the bouncy noodle elasticity first : Lift the thick, undulating noodles directly from the broth to feel their lively resistance in your mouth.
- Submerge the flame-torched pork belly : Let the smoky charred pork soak in the hot backfat soup until the fat tenderly dissolves.
- Finish with coarse black pepper : A shake of table black pepper cuts through the sweet backfat with zesty sharpness.
Mail Order & Online Shopping Information
Currently, there are no official instant noodle packs or mail-order kits available on Amazon or Japanese online stores. Visit Shodai Menya Tonosaki in Akita City to experience these handmade noodles freshly rolled before your eyes!
