Are you a ramen enthusiast planning a trip to Osaka? If so, you might have come across Ramen Butayama in your social media feed. However, it’s not always easy to judge if it’s worth your time based solely on online buzz.
In this article, we’ll dive into what makes Ramen Butayama stand out. From the rich flavors and pricing to the overall dining experience, we’ll help you determine whether this highly-rated spot deserves a visit. Read on for a detailed review!
What is Ramen Butayama
Butayama Ramen is a popular choice for those with a big appetite. It features thick noodles topped with an overflowing pile of vegetables, chashu (braised pork), and a rich, pork-flavored broth. The shop constantly draws long lines, especially appealing to men and younger crowds, making it one of Japan’s most sought-after ramen spots.
Basic information
In this section, you can find the basic information about Butayama Ramen. Make sure to check it out before visiting the ramen shop.
Location
Ramen Butayama has over 30 locations, primarily in the Kanto area. There are also two locations in Osaka, both conveniently situated near tourist spots, making them easily accessible. Check out the locations below to find Ramen Butayama near you.
Ramen Butayama Minamisenba (Shinsaibashi area)
Operation hours
Most Butayama Ramen locations open at 11 am., but closing times vary between 10 p.m. and midnight depending on the branch. Since Butayama Ramen often has long lines, you might not be able to get in if you visit close to closing time. It’s best to go earlier to ensure you can enjoy your meal.
Menu
You can order with the touch panel before eating. Also the menu is available English. Ramen Butayama offers 3 to 4 types of ramen, with rice as the only side dish. In addition to a variety of ramen toppings, you can customize your ramen by adjusting the amount of garlic, vegetables, pork fat, and the richness of the flavor to suit your preferences.
Reservation
Butayama is one of the most popular ramen spots in Japan, so reservations are not accepted. It gets especially crowded on weekends and during lunchtime and dinner time, with wait times sometimes exceeding two hours. It’s best to visit with plenty of time to spare.
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Honest review
I went to Ramen Butayama Minamisenba (Shinsaibashi area) to provide honest reviews from a traveler’s perspective, covering aspects such as taste, whether traveler-friendly or not, price, and more.
Use this guide when considering a visit to Ramen Butayama.
Traveler friendly
Ramen Butayama isn’t perfectly traveler-friendly. Although the menu and notices are available in English, the staff will ask several questions to customize your ramen for garlic. This unique communication style is typical at Ramen Butayama, but it can be challenging for those who aren’t proficient in Japanese.
Here are the questions you will be asked and how to respond:
| Staff ask (Japanese) | Staff ask (English) | You Respond (Japanese) |
| ニンニク入れますか？ (Ninnikuwa iremasuka?) | Do you want garlic? | Nuki (No) Sukuname (a little ) Ninniku ari(Yes) Ninniku mashimashi (a lot) |
Being familiar with these responses can make your experience smoother even if you’re not fluent in Japanese.
Food review
This time, I ordered Large Size Ramen with with 5 slice of pork chashu. I’ll be reviewing these items.
Large Size Ramen with 5 slice of pork chashu : 1,200 JPY (8.27 USD)
The ramen arrived just 7 minutes after ordering. I’ve tried plenty of ramen before, but I’ve never encountered a portion this large. Even though I have a big appetite, the serving was more than enough.
The thick noodles are well-coated with the rich tonkotsu broth. However, the broth’s strong smell might be off-putting for first-timers. But, the combination of garlic and tonkotsu is a perfect match, making it incredibly appetizing.
The pork chashu is impressively thick, providing a level of satisfaction you won’t find at most other ramen shops.
Price
This time, the total bill was 1,200 JPY ( 8.27 USD). Considering I had a large bowl of ramen with five slices of pork chashu and a generous portion of vegetables, this price is quite affordable, even by Japanese ramen shop standards.
Overall evaluation
At Ramen Butayama, you can enjoy rich tonkotsu ramen and thick pork chashu at an affordable price. The portions are huge, making it satisfying even for those with big appetites.
However, customizing your ramen when ordering requires communication in Japanese. Even for Japanese customers, some find this process a bit challenging. For travelers from overseas, it can be especially tricky.
The recommendation score : 6.5 out of 10
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