Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall

Nara Prefecture’s proud local gourmet, Tenri Ramen, boasts two giants: Saika Ramen and Tenri Stamina Ramen. Both have shops operating as food stalls. I’d long thought, “That uniquely spicy ramen must taste way better in a food stall atmosphere than inside a restaurant…” So I decided, “Then I’ll compare both for the first time in four years!” This time, I headed to Tenri City specifically for the Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall. Naturally, my focus inevitably turned to comparing it with the Saika Ramen Stall…

So which one should I go to? After comparing Saika Ramen Stall and Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall…

Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall is located on the sidewalk, straight east from Kintetsu Tenri Station. Unlike Saika Ramen Stall, it has no roof and is a very simple structure consisting only of the stall and about 20 table seats. Because of that, the atmosphere is better than Saika Ramen Stall. I think shops like this should be preserved as a Showa-era legacy for the next 100 years.

However, a frank question also came to mind: what happens on rainy or snowy days? Looking at Tabelog, there’s no mention like “Closed during bad weather”; it simply says “Open daily.” Searching other food blogs didn’t yield any solid information either. But piecing together various bits of info, it seems they do operate even in somewhat bad weather. Also, there’s no parking, so it’s not ideal for visiting by car. However, it’s much closer to Tenri Station than the Saika Ramen Stall, so for travelers rather than locals, the Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall is overwhelmingly more convenient to use.

I tried ordering extra chashu for a richer taste… but how did the Stamina Chashu (small) I ordered at the Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall actually turn out?

Unlike the brick-and-mortar shop, the menu at the Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall is quite limited. There’s only one ramen option: Stamina Ramen. You can only choose between “small or large size” and “with or wthout extra chashu” – a simple 2×2 selection. So, this time I ordered the chashu upgrade version: the Stamina Chashu (small, price: ¥1,040 including tax). After placing my order, I waited about 5 minutes before the finished ramen was brought to my table…

Just like at the Saika Ramen Stall, the small-sized ramen came in a regular-sized ramen bowl. However, in addition to generous toppings like cabbage and shredded pork, there were five slices of chashu hidden behind them. Visually wild yet giving an impression of luxurious toppings.

Now, let’s dive right into the soup… It’s a rich, savory broth that screams “The Pork Bone White Broth,” but the chili and garlic are significantly more restrained compared to the stamina ramen at Tenri Stamina Ramen Main Shop. This likely isn’t a flavor inconsistency but rather a deliberate choice. But don’t worry. On the table…

You’ll find a much larger supply of grated garlic and banjan (bean paste) than at the physical store, so you can add as much as you want to your ramen. Just be careful not to overdo it, as the method for adding them is a bit wild—using chopsticks instead of a teaspoon.

The noodles, meanwhile, are the familiar low-hydration straight medium-thin noodles common at Tenri Stamina Ramen. This time, they were cooked quite firm, offering a satisfyingly substantial bite rather than a chewy texture.

The five slices of chashu added as a topping were a well-balanced type with lean meat and fat. Being thinly sliced, they went down easily and lightly. But honestly, I wish they had a bit more presence… Well, the cabbage is still generously packed in, and the bowl as a whole definitely doesn’t feel sparse.

That’s how I finished the Stamina Chashu (Small) at Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall in about five minutes. Upgrading to the Chashu Men adds just over 200 yen to the standard ramen price. But since the standard ramen already comes packed with cabbage and pork, I decided the standard ramen is fine for next time. Still, ramen eaten outdoors is truly special. This is exactly the atmosphere I was seeking! It’s one of the few remaining, genuine places where you can eat ramen at a street stall. I really hope it stays around forever…

Looks like they’ve got an official app now… Access to Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall is a 9-minute walk from Tenri Station on the Kintetsu Tenri Line (JR Sakurai Line).

About that Tenri Stamina Ramen… Seems like they’ve launched an official smartphone app now…

Judging by the info, it looks like the usual deal with other shop apps—your point card is now digital. Collecting 15 stamps gets you one free small Stamina Ramen. Plus, the app download bonus coupon seems usable at the Tenri Stamina Ramen Stall. Since it covers one free extra serving of noodles, why not download the app via the QR code when you visit?

Now, here are the shop details…

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