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Men Leads Nakano

The Unofficial Champion of Tori Paitan Ramen

Quick Look

Food

Indoor

About

Men Leads Nakano is a popular ramen specialty shop tucked away in Tenri, Nara. A favorite among Tenri University students and local residents, it’s the perfect spot for those seeking authentic Japanese ramen in a cozy setting. It's my favourite Ramen that i've ever had, by far.

Must Do's

Get a bowl of Toripaitan Ramen

Key Info

cost

accessibility

uniqueness

*Learn more about my Key Information methadology here.

Cost

Due to its location, Men Leads Nakano offers a budget-friendly dining experience compared to ramen shops in larger cities. Prices are reasonable (~1000 yen), making it an excellent choice for students and travelers looking for an affordable yet high-quality meal.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, Men Leads Nakano is not easily accessible, as it is located far from both the city center and it's nearest train station. The recommended route is to get off at Kyobate Station, which is approximately 920 meters from the shop.

Uniqueness

Men Leads Nakano is a typical ramen restaurant, offering a menu similar to other Toripaitan ramen spots. As a result, I can't say they stand out as a very unique ramen spot. However, they stand out as one of the best, if not the best, at what they do; making Toripaitan ramen.

My Experience

Men Leads Nakano came off as an unexpected suprise! I had been visiting my friend's university nearby and Men Leads Nakano was a pit stop, but looking back i'm so thankful we stopped by as it is the best Toripaitan Ramen that i've ever had! In literal translation, Toripaitan (鶏白湯) is a soup base that has been made from chicken bones (鶏 means chicken) being boiled at a high temperature, giving off it's white, creamy texture (白湯 means white soup). They have two variations of Toripaitan that you can try, Soy sauce, and Salt. I opted for the Soy sauce, and it was amazing! The broth has the perfect amount of cream so that it's not too heavy, and pairs very well with the noodles. Do note that the two variations, Soy sauce and Salt have a "speciality" version as well, in which the speciality version has the running egg yolk which many people love. If your crazy about ramen, and your willing to travel the distance, do check it out!