Welcome to Ramen Eiriki

Hello there!
I’m Chako, a new writer on the team.

Today I’m introducing a wonderful little spot:
“Ramen Eiriki,” located in Kitadanbaru-cho, Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture — right across from the temporary Uto City Hall office.
Ramen Eiriki (らーめん栄力)

When you think of Kyushu, you probably picture rich tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen. Same goes for Kumamoto, right?
But here in Uto, soy sauce ramen is the local specialty!
This beloved shop has been serving the community for 17 years.

This carefully crafted soy sauce ramen, built on a seafood-based broth, is light yet wonderfully rich — easy to enjoy for kids and even for those who don’t usually go for ramen.

Recommended Menu at Ramen Eiriki

The menu is hand-painted on the wall, in a charming, character-filled font done by a friend of the owner.

Once you’ve decided what to order, just wave your hand to call the staff over — a wonderfully casual local touch! ^^

This time, I ordered the classic ramen (650 yen) and a side of gyoza (handmade by the owner himself).

The chashu (braised pork) is sliced to the perfect thickness, the egg noodles have just the right bite, and the clear, deeply flavored broth is absolutely fantastic.
For the gyoza, you mix your own dipping sauce at the table using vinegar and soy sauce — half the fun is finding your favorite blend! 🎵

I also tried the chahan (fried rice) set.

The owner fires up the wok fresh for every order, and the result is wonderfully fluffy fried rice studded with cubed chashu — the same gorgeous pork from the ramen.
It’s incredibly popular, and I saw plate after plate going out the day I visited.

Although I didn’t try them this time, other highly recommended dishes include:
the “Miso Ramen” — a blend of special miso paste mixed into the regular broth,
the “Gomoku Ramen” topped with a generous vegetable-packed thick sauce,
and the “Mabo Ramen” — a slightly spicy bowl perfect for warming up on cold days.

One more tip: at lunchtime, don’t miss the “Hiru-tei” (lunch set), which pairs ramen with a hijiki seaweed rice ball. ✨

If you’re traveling with kids, head right after entering — there’s a tatami (raised floor) seating area, perfect for families.

Children’s chairs and small dishes for sharing are available on request.

My kids and I never leave a drop of broth behind! ^ ^

To the left of the entrance, you’ll find counter seats and tables.
The atmosphere has a lovely retro vibe — relaxing and welcoming.

Currently, as a precaution against infectious diseases, the shop is operating with reduced seating.
Since every bowl is prepared with care, please allow yourself plenty of time when visiting.

The following notice is from Ramen Eiriki’s official website:

From Friday, October 8 through Wednesday, October 27, due to the owner’s absence, business hours and menu will be modified as follows:

【Business Hours】Weekdays 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM (last order at 1:00 PM)
【Closed】Weekday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays
【Menu Available During This Period】
Ramen, Hiru-tei (lunch set), Yakibuta Ramen, Gyoza, Boiled Egg, Onigiri, and Rice (large/medium/small) only.

Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information current at the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before your visit.