Saika Ramen Stall

Nara Prefecture boasts two giants of its local gourmet scene: Tenri Ramen. Both Saika Ramen and Tenri Stamina Ramen have stalls operating as food stalls. I’d long thought, “If I ate that uniquely spicy ramen in a stall atmosphere, it’d definitely taste better than eating inside the shop…” So, when I had business in Nara Prefecture recently, I made a point to go to Tenri. Now the problem was: which food stall to visit, Saika Ramen or Tenri Stamina Ramen? Time was tight that day, making back-to-back meals a bit tough, so I had to choose one with a heavy heart…

Saika Ramen Stall operates under a tent in a parking lot, so you can relax even on rainy days…

This time, I decided to visit Saika Ramen Stall, which operates a little way from Kintetsu Tenri Station. It’s set up under a tent in the parking lot of a supermarket north of Tenri Yorozu Soudanjo Hospital, along National Route 169. Being able to eat inside the tent means rainy days are no problem. It’s sad when you can’t eat ramen on rainy days, so this is an absolutely crucial point to note.

Now, around the shop, inside the tent, there are foldable conference-style long tables and stools set up. A quick visual count showed 9 tables seating 6 people each, confirming 54 seats. However, it seems they adjust the number of tents and tables daily, sometimes setting up nearly 70 seats on busy days. This flexibility is so typical of a food stall—it’s great! There is one downside, though. The menu is quite simplified, making detailed customizations or ordering side dishes difficult. Still, with three size options and four toppings available, it’s perfectly sufficient if you’re just there for the ramen…

Saika Ramen Stall Menu (Prices include tax)

• Saika Ramen Small (1 serving) 900 yen
• Saika Ramen Large (2 servings) 1150 yen
• Saika Ramen Extra Large (3 servings) 1450 yen
• Pork Chashu (+200 yen)
• Pork Belly Chashu (+200 yen)
• Soft-Boiled Egg (+100 yen)
• Raw Egg (Iodine Egg) (+100 yen)

Ramen from a food stall really is something else… How was the small Saika Ramen I had at the Saika Ramen Stall?

So, let me tell you about the standard menu item I ordered that day at Saika Ramen Stall: the small Saika Ramen. After waiting just under five minutes after ordering, the ramen brought to my table looked like this…

Unlike the large Saika Ramen I had before at the Saika Ramen Head Shop, this came in a regular ramen bowl. I was momentarily taken aback—“Huh?”—since I’d imagined that large, wide-mouthed bowl. But then I remembered, I’d ordered the small ramen this time. Other customers who ordered large or extra-large did get served in those big bowls I’d seen before. Still, don’t worry—the smaller bowl doesn’t mean less volume.

Alright, let’s dive right into the soup… Even in its default state, the garlic and the spiciness from the chili flakes pack a solid punch. Maybe it’s the street stall vibe, but it feels wilder in flavor than the Saika Ramen I’ve had at the restaurant. But it’s not just aromatic and wild; the savory umami from the animal-based and vegetable stocks is deeply infused, and surprisingly, the aftertaste is clean. This soup never gets old, no matter how many times I drink it..

The noodles, meanwhile, are thin, high-hydration curly noodles. They were cooked fairly firm that day, giving them a satisfying bite. The curls really soak up the broth, so with every slurp, the garlic aroma and Rajang spice keep getting refreshed. It keeps your mind sharp and alert the whole time you’re eating. Plus, the curls tickle the inside of my mouth with a pleasantly springy sensation.

Then there’s the main attraction: a massive amount of vegetables. Mostly cabbage, with a limited variety, but the volume is so substantial you think, “This is enough to fill me up!” On the other hand, the meat is just a tiny bit of shredded pork, making it a bit tough to satisfy protein cravings. So, if you’re a meat lover, I recommend requesting extra chashu toppings when ordering.

That said, eating Saika Ramen at a food stall really does have a different flavor compared to eating it inside a restaurant. I think the mood plays a big part, but personally, it felt like it tasted 50% better. Street stall ramen already has that special vibe, and then it’s Saika Ramen… Plus, there’s the Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall nearby too. Honestly, Tenri citizens are way too lucky to be able to eat ramen from these shops at a street stall.

Take-out ramen orders are available… To access Saika Ramen Stall, take the Nara Kotsu Bus Route 52 bound for Sharp Sogo Kaihatsu Center from Tenri Station on the Kintetsu Tenri Line (nearest station), get off at Bessho Bus Stop, then walk 2 minutes.

Now, at Saika Ramen Stall, they also offer takeout for their signature Saika Ramen. This shop used to offer “Nabe Ramen” where they’d put ramen into your own pot if you brought it, but now you can get ramen to go without carrying a pot. The price is 950 yen per serving (tax included, container fee included). You can choose between fresh noodles or pre-cooked noodles, so you can avoid the tragedy of noodles getting soggy by the time you get home. Give it a try…

Now, here are the shop details…

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