We’ve Moved!
The new location is 825-1 Kumanosho, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City.

Introducing Goku

Hello travelers! This is Aikero, writer for [Sarukuma].

Today I’m taking you to Tomiai in Kumamoto City’s Minami Ward, home to
[Goku (極旨)], a tsukemen (dipping noodle) shop with a cult following.
Where exactly is this place in Tomiai?!
Here’s a hint — it’s not on Route 3, but tucked along Ukiuki Road instead! (^^)/This shot was taken heading from Jonan toward Uto.

With no signage on Route 3 or anywhere besides the storefront itself,
this is the very definition of a hidden local gem!

So let me show you around Goku~ (●＾o＾●)Parking is available right out front, plus
a spacious gravel lot.
Plenty of room and easy to park — perfect if you’re road-tripping through Kumamoto.There’s a small staircase at the entrance.
Inside Goku you’ll find table seating only — no tatami rooms — so families with little ones might want to bring a stroller along ♪When the place is packed, write your name on the waitlist right inside the entrance.Goku uses a meal ticket (food voucher) system — common at ramen shops in Japan.
Buy your ticket from the machine before sitting down (^^)

The machine only accepts 1,000 yen bills, but staff will gladly make change for you if needed — just ask! ♪
Here’s the Goku menu!

Tsukemen (Dipping Noodles)　Regular 200g~　￥950~
Ramen　Regular 150g~　￥950~
Mazesoba (Mixed Noodles)　Regular　￥1,100~
Curry Rice　￥1,200

You can size up tsukemen to 500g and ramen to 300g.

The tsukemen, ramen, and mazesoba come standard with a soy-based sauce, but
you can also swap to spicy or curry sauce — pick your favorite! ♪Heads up — the noodles are thick and take time to boil, and cook times vary by dish, so orders may not arrive in the order they were placed. Just a heads up!
After buying your ticket, hand it to the staff member here.You’ll receive a number tag in exchange.
When your number is called, head up to grab your bowl.
Here’s the inside of Goku.
There’s additional seating in the back, too.
Right next to the ticket machine is a self-serve corner.

For little ones, there are kid-friendly bowls, chopsticks, spoons, and forks available ♪

You’ll also find chili oil and wari-soup (broth used to dilute leftover dipping sauce) here — help yourself! (^^)/

Goku’s Must-Try Dish

Tsukemen is a personal favorite of mine, so of course I went with the dipping noodles!
I ordered 300g of cold noodles plus a half-portion of rice for my son.

And let me tell you — the “half” rice was so generous, you’d never call it half!Look at those thick, satisfying noodles!
The dipping broth is rich, thick, and intensely savory!
There’s a hint of seafood aroma, but it’s gentle enough that even those who usually shy away from heavy seafood broths should enjoy it.
(My husband, who normally isn’t a big fan of strong seafood flavors, loved it!)
And the chashu (braised pork) — TWO generous, thick-cut slices!!
The thick noodles cling to that rich broth perfectly!
The balance between the chewy noodles and the bold dipping sauce is absolutely spot-on — sooo delicious!!
Goku also provides a recommended way to enjoy the meal — try it out! ♪
Goku was originally located in Amakusa, but the owner had to close the shop due to illness.
Though some lingering effects remain, he made an inspiring comeback by reopening Goku here in this new location.
Thanks to that determination, we get to enjoy this incredible tsukemen — what a gift!One of the best parts about tsukemen? Adding wari-soup at the end to enjoy it as a hot soup — two experiences in one bowl! ♪
And surprise — there’s grated yamaimo (Japanese mountain yam) hidden in the broth!
Its crisp, crunchy texture is a fun little accent (●＾o＾●)Tissues and water are kept right on the table, which is another nice touch ♪

Even after we sat down, customers kept streaming in non-stop — a true sign of how beloved Goku is.
Just like the name (Goku = “extremely delicious”) suggests, you absolutely have to try this tsukemen for yourself! (●＾o＾●)

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