The appeal of "Maren Shinchi Main Branch" in Osaka , where you can taste noodle dishes made by Japanese cuisine artisans

• Table of Contents
• What is maren?
• Maren Shinchi Main Store
• Access to Maren Shinchi Main Store
• I was so curious that I decided to try the "Kombu Water Tsukesoba"!
• Keep an eye out for the carefully selected toppings
• The signature product is the original "Local Chicken Soy Sauce Soba"
• Another masterpiece: "Seafood and Chicken White Soup"
• Ordering Method and Manners
• From Shinchi to the world.
• A word from Sano Sano of MAREN GROUP

What is maren?

The store's name, "maren," is said to be derived from the four-character idiom "jijomaren," which means to hone knowledge and skills through daily practice. This sentiment is also embodied in the store's logo, which expresses the process of wheat becoming dough, which is then kneaded and transformed into the finest noodles.

This was during the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world in December 2020. The company ran a Japanese restaurant and a cafe, but decided to change the business model to a ramen restaurant in the former location of the Japanese restaurant. Using its Japanese cuisine techniques, the company started up a ramen business, pursuing authentic soy sauce ramen.
The combination of chicken and water soup, seafood flavored oil, and whole wheat noodles became so popular that the Japanese restaurant in a commercial facility in Kyobashi changed its business model to a "Kombu Mizu Tsukesoba Specialty Store." This also quickly became a hot topic, and the Nakazakicho cafe also changed its business model to a mazesoba specialty store, which continued to grow.

Maren Shinchi Main Store

On November 25, 2024, the original store will relocate to Shinchi and have its grand opening as Maren Shinchi Main Store.
With the concept of "exquisite soy sauce soba from a Japanese restaurant," the restaurant continues to evolve into one that aims to become the most beloved noodle brand in Shinchi. It is a must-see for ramen lovers, where you can enjoy carefully prepared bowls of ramen made using Japanese techniques until 5am.

Access to Maren Shinchi Main Store

3 minutes walk from Shinchi Station on the JR Tozai Line, 10 minutes walk from Umeda Station on the Midosuji Subway Line, 15 minutes walk from Osaka Umeda Station on the Hankyu Railway, 14 minutes walk from JR Osaka Station, 6 minutes walk from Oebashi Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Island Line

A high-quality space worthy of Shinchi

When you step inside the restaurant, you'll find a calming atmosphere typical of Shinchi. The interior is a mix of Japanese charm and a relaxing, elegant space like a cafe. The ticket vending machine inside the restaurant has a wide selection of attractive ramen dishes, including "Local Chicken Soy Sauce Soba." What's more, the menu is available in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, so even foreigners can order with ease.

I was so curious that I decided to try the "Kombu Water Tsukesoba"!

This time, I decided to order the "Kombu Mizu Tsukesoba" (tsukemen), which had been getting a lot of attention through word of mouth.

The appeal of carefully selected noodles and dipping sauce

After a while, the noodles, dipped in thick kelp water, glistened with shine, were brought out along with a soy sauce-based dipping sauce. The kelp water is packed with ideas to bring out the best in the noodles. If you take a bite without dipping the noodles in anything, the flavor of the noodles themselves will spread throughout your mouth! Please try this way of eating that is common among connoisseurs in Japan.

[Exquisite noodles soaked in kelp water]
The kelp water is packed with ideas to bring out the best flavor in the noodles. If you take a sip without adding anything, the flavor of the noodles will come through! Please try this way of eating that is common in Japan.
These noodles are made by hand by a noodle craftsman at a long-established noodle factory, carefully crafting them by blending whole wheat flour, which is Toyotomi in dietary fiber and vitamin B1, with wheat flour. The noodles are fermented under strict temperature and humidity control, bringing out the maximum flavor and aroma. They are a perfect match for kelp water, and the sticky kelp water clings to the noodles, creating a smooth texture that is easily sucked into your mouth, while the noodles themselves have a supple yet chewy texture that is irresistibly addictive.

[This is the dipping sauce made by a Japanese food craftsman]
The dipping sauce is a blend of four types of soy sauce, based on natural soy sauce brewed in cedar barrels from Shodoshima. The flavors of carefully selected dried ingredients such as dried bonito flakes, white-kuchi dried sardines, clams, scallops, shrimp, Rausu kelp, and shiitake mushrooms are layered together, and finally the flavor of oysters is added, creating a flavor that makes you want to drink it all up.

How to enjoy kelp water tsukesoba

1. First, try the noodles
2. Dip the noodles in seaweed salt or wasabi
3. Dip it in the dipping sauce and eat it
4. Enjoy changing the flavor with table condiments
5. Finally, add kelp water to the dipping soup and drink it all up. This is an exquisite bowl of ramen that has been created with the utmost effort of a Japanese cuisine artisan in his pursuit of deliciousness. Enjoy every last bit of it, from the noodles to the soup.

Keep an eye out for the carefully selected toppings

Even if you order the normal tsukesoba, it comes with two kinds of char siu. If you order the special version, the bowl is filled with five kinds of char siu and a seasoned egg.
Each slice of pork is unique, so you'll have a new discovery with every bite. Pairing it with tsukesoba makes it even more satisfying.

This special dish, created by a Japanese cuisine artisan, is not just topped with char siu, but consists of 1) rare char siu made from Galician chestnut pork shoulder loin, and 2) char siu made from chicken breast with a yuzu citrus scent. Both of these ramen are served with the ramen.
In addition, the following three special varieties have been added to create a luxurious bowl of rice.
❸ Hanging smoked Galician chestnut pork belly char siu ❹ Braised Galician chestnut pork ❺ Plum and shiso meatballs

The signature product is the original "Local Chicken Soy Sauce Soba"

The special broth, which is made by concentrating the flavor of local chicken, is combined with our proud sauce, which is based on soy sauce brewed in cedar barrels from Shodoshima, the aromatic oil, which contains local chicken oil and foie gras, enhances the deep flavor.
The noodles are made with a golden ratio blend of flavorful Hokkaido wheat "Kitahonami" and natural kansui "Mongolian kansui." In addition, carefully selected eggs and "Tengai Teshio" are added to create a custom-made straight No. 16 noodle that is carefully kneaded.

Attention to detail in soup

The soup is made in a way that has changed since the restaurant first opened, creating a premium dashi stock. We are not calling it a soup, but rather introducing it under the category of dashi stock. The soup has been changed from one made only with Tamba chicken and water to one made with several types of Jidori chicken (Amakusa Daio, Kuro Satsuma chicken, Nagoya Cochin) that bring out more flavor, as well as pork, to create a deep-flavored dashi stock. In addition, the chicken oil has been changed to a flavored broth flavored with foie gras, which enhances the umami flavor.

Attention to detail in noodles

A specially made straight No. 16 noodle made with a golden ratio of flavorful Hokkaido wheat "Kitahonami" and natural kansui "Mongolian kansui." Carefully selected eggs and "Tengai Teshio" are also added.

Another masterpiece: "Seafood and Chicken White Soup"

By combining the rich and creamy broth made with local chicken with carefully selected seafood, a special broth with a rich flavor and a refreshing aftertaste has been created. The mellow aromatic oil envelops the whole dish, and the lime and roasted seaweed are used to change the flavor, making this a blissful bowl that you won't tire of until the last bite.

Attention to detail in soup

We use whole chicken (local chicken: Amakusa Daio, Kuro Satsuma chicken), chicken bones (local chicken: Kuro Satsuma chicken, Nagoya Cochin), Momiji (local chicken: Kuro Satsuma chicken), pork, etc., and cook them over high heat while stirring carefully to avoid burning, to create a rich and deep flavorful broth. We then blend carefully selected seafood to finish it off, achieving a balance of rich flavor and a refreshing aftertaste.

Attention to detail in noodles

Like the Shoyu Soba, this is a specially made straight No. 16 noodle made with a golden ratio of flavorful Hokkaido wheat "Kitahonami" and natural kansui "Mongolian Kansui." In addition, it is made with carefully selected eggs and "Tengai Tenshio"Teshio.

Ordering Method and Manners

Here we will introduce how to order and proper etiquette.

How to line up and points to note

At the Maren Shinchi main store, we have a tape partition in front of the store and cards with English notation indicating the first, second, and last place. If the store is full and you need to line up, please line up inside the tape partition.
Also, please keep the following points in mind and observe proper etiquette when lining up.

1. Line up at the back.
2. Line up once everyone is present.
3. Don't interrupt.
4. Do not block the entrances of other shops or homes.
5. Don't spread out too much on the road. Line up in a straight line.

Please follow the rules so that everyone can have a good time.

How to order

There are two main ways to order at ramen restaurants in Japan: buying a ticket from a ticket vending machine, or looking at the menu and ordering verbally.

At Maren Shinchi Main Store, you can purchase tickets using the ticket vending machine.
The ticket vending machines can display four languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.
Payment methods include cash, credit card, QR code payment, and electronic money .
After purchasing a meal ticket from the ticket machine , you will be shown to a seat, so please take a seat.
A staff member will come to your table and confirm your order.
[Payment method]
Credit cards: VISA / Mastercard / JCB / AMEX / Diners
QR code payment: PayPay / dPayment / au PAY / Merpay / Rakuten Pay / Alipay+ / WeChat Pay
Electronic money: Transportation IC (Suica, ICOCA, etc.) / WAON / iD / Rakuten Edy / nanaco / QUICPay

From Shinchi to the world.

As befitting its location in Shinchi, it is open until 5am. You won't find many restaurants in the whole country that serve elegant and sophisticated ramen until this time. Maren doesn't just make delicious ramen, they also have the desire to "become an indispensable part of the local community." If you're interested, be sure to try the flavor before anyone else!

A word from Sano Sano of MAREN GROUP

The soup is made using dashi stock, the foundation of Japanese cuisine, to bring out the full flavor of the ingredients. It has a refreshing yet deep flavor, and is made to be delicious down to the last drop.
The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere so that female customers can feel comfortable stopping by. There are also spacious counter seats so that even customers who are alone can enjoy a leisurely meal.
Please enjoy a bowl of ramen that combines the delicacy of Japanese cuisine with the fun of ramen.

Business hours and holidays

[Business hours] Monday to Saturday / 11:00-15:00, 17:00-5:00 the next day, Public holidays / 11:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00
[Store closed days] New Year's holiday

Information on affiliated stores

◎soba MAREN Shibuya store / 10-16 Maruyamacho , Shibuya Ward -ku, Tokyo SHIBUYA Limited Building 1st floor [Business hours] Sunday to Thursday 11:30-23:00, Friday, Saturday, and the day before a holiday 11:30-3:00 [Store closed] None ●Main menu / Various mixed soba noodles ◎soba MAREN Nakazakicho store / 1-4-22 Nakazakinishi , Kita Ward , Osaka City Umeda Building 1st Floor
[Business hours] 11:00-22:00 [Closed] None ●Main menu / Various types of mixed soba ◎soba MAREN Higobashi store / 1-15-7 Edobori , Nishi Ward, Osaka City
[Business hours] 10:30-22:00 [Closed] None ●Main menu / Various types of Mazesoba