Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi Mukogawa Branch

In the quiet residential area of Mukogawa, Amagasaki, there’s an incredible ramen shop called Nagomi. What makes it incredible? It’s been awarded a spot on Tabelog’s Ramen WEST Top 100 list every single year without fail from 2017 to 2025. Not only that, but it apparently once held the highest star rating in Western Japan, earning it the nickname “Western Yokozuna” among some…

With a shop this incredible, I simply had to try their ramen at least once… So, one weekend lunchtime, I headed to Mukogawa where the shop is located…

Despite being a super popular spot, it’s a relaxed place where you can enjoy ramen at your own pace… Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi Mukogawa Branch is a place like this…

I arrived at Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi Mukogawa Branch right around noon. “Oh no, I’m late…” I thought anxiously, bracing myself for a line as I headed to the shop. But when I got there, there was literally zero people waiting outside. All nine seats at the L-shaped counter inside were taken, so I became the first person waiting outside. Honestly, I was a bit taken aback, thinking, “Is this really okay?” Well, the customer who arrived after me also said, “Huh? There’s no line at all today,” while joining the queue, so I guess I was just incredibly lucky that day.

Anyway, my first impression of this place, Ramen specialty Shop Nagomi Mukogawa Branch, was that despite being super popular, it’s a very understated shop… The exterior looks like your typical neighborhood ramen shop, and the interior space is compact—barely enough room for one person to squeeze past the counter seats. The owner and staff behind the counter don’t seem overly busy either; there’s a relaxed vibe about the place. Maybe it’s the location, but being able to enjoy ramen in such a calm, unhurried atmosphere is probably one of this shop’s charms…

Completely MSG-free yet packed with umami… How did I actually find Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi Mukogawa Branch’s most popular menu item, the Salt Mix?

So, let me introduce the Salt Mix (price: ¥1,400 including tax), the shop’s most popular menu item, which I ordered that day at Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi Mukogawa Branch. After waiting about 5 minutes after ordering, the ramen brought before me looked like this…

Chashu pork covers half the surface, and as a meat lover, just seeing this generous serving makes my appetite surge. Also, the addition of kuruma fu (wheat gluten) as a topping is unusual… Using this type of fu seems to be a particular obsession of the owner.

Anyway, let’s start with the soup… A salt-based broth where the umami from chicken and seafood gently spreads across the palate. It doesn’t have a strong, punchy impact, but the richness of flavor is exceptional. Being completely free of chemical seasonings, it’s a gentle flavor that doesn’t burden the body. It makes me want to lift the bowl and gulp it down, rather than take small sips with a spoon.

Now then, the main topping: chashu. It included three types—pork belly, chicken breast, and chicken thigh—totaling six generous slices. While many ramen shops feature chicken, chicken thigh chashu is quite rare. This might be my first time encountering it. Each slice is thick, juicy, and tender. Dip it in the broth to soak up the umami, then pop it in the mouth. Mmm… this is seriously good.

Now then, the main topping: chashu. It included three types—pork belly, chicken breast, and chicken thigh—totaling six generous slices. While many ramen shops feature chicken, chicken thigh chashu is quite rare. This might be my first time encountering it. Each slice is thick, juicy, and tender. Dip it in the broth to soak up the umami, then pop it in the mouth. Mmm… this is seriously good.

That’s how I polished off Nagomi Mukogawa Branch‘s most popular menu item, the Salt Mix, in about five minutes before leaving the shop. No wonder they’ve won Tabelog’s Ramen WEST Top 100 Restaurants award for nine consecutive years – their skills are no joke. Plus, being completely free of artificial seasonings means it’s easy on the body, making me want to come eat here every day. It’s a bit of a shame the shop is located away from the bustling downtown area, but I think it’s ramen worth making the trip for, even if it means going out of your way.

Other Menu Items at Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi (Prices Include Tax)

• Salt Chashu Ramen: ¥1,600
• Chicken Salt Ramen: ¥1,350
• Salt Ramen: ¥1,100
• Salt Soup: ¥800
• Grilled Chicken Salt Ramen: ¥600
• Fluffy Egg Chashu Rice Bowl (Small): ¥550

Egg on Rice: ¥450

The second location, Nagomi, in Mukonosho is also doing exceptionally well… Access to Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi Mukogawa Branch is a 4-minute walk from the nearest station, Mukogawa Station on the Hanshin Electric Railway.

This Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi Mukogawa Branch has a second location, Ramen Specialty Shop Nagomi Mukonoso Branch. This second location has also achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Tabelog Ramen WEST Top 100 Restaurants award for 9 consecutive years. A double win for both branches for nine consecutive years—isn’t that incredible? You’d be hard-pressed to find another shop like this anywhere in the country. Each shop offers a different menu, so you really have no choice but to try both and compare.

Now, here are the shop details…

P.S. If you are looking for delicious ramens in Hyogo, please stop by this article below…