Ramen Otokojuku ‼︎ Nipponbashi Branch

When it comes to Jiro-inspired ramen in Osaka, the Ramen-so Group is the dominant force, but recently I wanted to explore a few other restaurants, so I did some online research and found this target, Ramen Otokojuku ‼︎ Nipponbashi Branch, on the so-called Otaku Road in Nipponbashi in November 2017. Founded in In an area lined with stores specializing in anime goods and plastic models, the shop has a hard-core image with a ramen sign that reads “Mashimashi if you are a man”.

What kind of Jiro-inspired ramen will this restaurant with such a hard-core image serve? I walked toward the restaurant from the direction of Namba Station with high expectations of encountering a new taste…

The turnover is quite slow because it is a one-operation by the headmaster…Ramen Otokojuku‼︎ Nippombashi Branch is a restaurant like this.

I arrived at the Ramen Otokojuku ‼︎ Nippombashi branch around 5:30 p.m. on a weekend evening. There was a short line of four customers waiting in front of the storefront, and after I joined the line, young people began to gather one by one.

But for a ramen shop, the turnover of customers is quite slow. The reason for this is that the manager (let me call him “Jukucho”) is the only one who works in the restaurant. He is the only one who works in the restaurant. He does all the cooking, washing dishes, and guiding customers. So even though there were only four people waiting to enter the restaurant that day, it took 20 minutes before I was actually shown to my seat. The restaurant is also very cozy with only 6 counter seats. Well, it can’t be helped…

Before entering the restaurant, purchase a meal ticket from the ticket machine in the front of the restaurant. After that, you just have to prepare your call (customization) and wait patiently until you enter the restaurant. (At the Ramen Otokojuku ‼︎ Nippombashi branch, the call is made when you hand your meal ticket to the juku-cho manager). 

Jukucho Ramen: Measuring the manliness of a jukucho with the most popular menu item at Ramen Otokojuku ‼︎

What I ordered at Ramen Otokojuku ‼︎ Nippombashi branch this time was the restaurant’s most popular menu item, Jukucho Ramen (price: 890 yen including tax). I set the call to “Zenmashi” (all the ingredients increased amount in the bowl).

After about 10 minutes of waiting, the Jukucho Ramen arrived in front of me…

The default amount of Jukucho Ramen is 200g, which is less than the standard size of Ramen Jiro (300g), so the appearance of the ramen is a little less impressive than the Jiro-inspired ramen. Well, it is the first time to use this restaurant, and it is very important to order a quantity that you can definitely eat up first.

The soup is emulsified and has a rich pork bone flavor with a slight pork smell that spreads in your mouth. The soy sauce sauce is not so sharp, and the pork flavor is more intense than other Jiro-inspired soups. It may be a coincidence that the temperature of the soup was quite low this time, which may have contributed to the strong pork flavor.

The noodles are thick and crispy, comparable to those of Jiro’s noodles. The noodles are lightly frizzled and absorb the soup well. The noodles are hard-boiled and chewy, and although the quantity is small, it makes you feel like you have eaten a good amount of noodles.

On the other hand, I must confess that the main topping, “pork,” is quite poor for a Jiro-inspired dish. There are two pieces of chashu pork that are thick and large enough to be served without being Jiro-inspired. It is not bad by any means, but this volume of pork is going to be a very disappointing point for those who are used to eating it. You can order double pork (2 pieces) or triple pork (4 pieces) for 280 yen or 500 yen extra, respectively, but with this pork, it is better not to add them.

Ramen Otokojuku‼︎ Nippombashi branch‘s Jukucho Ramen like this, for those who are familiar with Jiro/inspired ramen, there is no denying that it lacks impact. For example, based on the popular Jiro-inspired restaurant in Osaka, Ramen-so Rekisi wo Kizame, I can honestly say that I don’t feel the manliness. Especially the quality of the chashu pork… I have no complaints about the taste of the ramen itself, but if you are looking for Jiro-style violence, I recommend going to another restaurant.

On the other hand, for those who want to try Jiro-style ramen but are not sure if they can finish it, this is a perfect training ground. If you can’t finish this amount of ramen, you will never be able to eat the standard 300 grams of Jiro-inspired ramen, so I think it would be a good idea to move up to the next level after you are sure you can finish the ramen at this restaurant.

Examples of other menu items at the Ramen Otokojuku ‼︎ Nippombashi branch (prices include tax)

• Soupless jukucho ramen 890 yen
• Miso jukucho ramen 950 yen
• Miso jukucho ramen without soup: 950 yen
• Spicy jukucho ramen 990 yen
• Spicy jukucho ramen without soup 990 yen
• Soup-less tuna mayo junk 960 yen

Four affiliated stores in Osaka Prefecture… Access to Ramen Otokojuku‼︎ Nippombashi branch is a 6-minute walk from the nearest station, Nankai Railway’s Namba Station.

In addition to the Nippombashi branch introduced here, Ramen Otokojuku‼︎ operates four other branches: Gamo 4-chome Branch, Kaizuka Kose Branch, and Nagai Branch. Jiro-inspired ramen stores are still few and far between in Osaka… If you like gutsy ramen, please visit the ramen shop and feel its manly spirit with your whole body.

Here are the details of the restaurant…

It is an 8-minute walk from Ebisucho Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line and a 10-minute walk from Nippombashi Station.