About Kitakata Ramen Ban-nai

Our story began
with Ban-nai Shokudo

Known as "The Warehouse Town of Tohoku," Kitakata is home to over 4,000 traditional warehouses, from its main streets to back alleys, outer villages, and deep mountain communities. In a town with a population of just 51,000, there are a astonishing 120 ramen restaurants. Among them, "Ban-nai Shokudo" stands as one of Kitakata's Three Great Ramen Houses, consistently featured in magazines and TV programs.

The History of Ban-nai


By chance, I found myself in Kitakata and encountered the uniquely firm and chewy texture of hand-kneaded, high-hydration noodles with a rich and robust, umami flavor profile. Captivated by the taste of Ban-nai Shokudo, I humbly requested an apprenticeship, but was repeatedly turned down. Undeterred, I visited the restaurant every day, and finally, I was given the opportunity to learn from the founder of Ban-nai Shokudo, Master Shingo Bannai, and his wife, Hisa-san, leading to a deep culinary understanding. It was my goal to learn their craft and share Ban-nai's delicious ramen with the world.

Our aspirations is to make the "Ban-nai" name widely recognized. Driven by this goal, we participated in numerous department store and event exhibitions.

Then, in 1984, we decided to launch "Kura," the predecessor to Kitakata Ramen Ban-nai, under the railway overpass in Uchisaiwaicho. Following that, in December 1988, we opened the first "Kitakata Ramen Ban-nai" restaurant in Tomi City in Nagano Prefecture.

Moving forward, we remain committed to
Creating flavors you'll never tire of even if you frequented us daily.
We want our customers to leave with a smile on their faces after having our delicious food.
We will continue to convey the taste and sentiments inherited from Ban-nai Shokudo.

The Future of Ban-nai

Sharing the warmth of heartfelt hospitality
around the world through our food.

Our international expansion has allowed more people to experience our authentic flavors. In every location, our dedicated team members proudly share the "Taste of Kitakata."

Whether you visit us, expect handcrafted, fresh flavors and a welcoming space where you can truly relax. We will continue
passing forward this torch of tradition, carrying with it the hopes and appreciation of countless patrons.

Our Handmade
Creations Embody Our Passion

Clear and Delicious Broth

Slowly simmered pork bones to bring out their delicious flavor.
It's a clear soup that is light yet rich in flavor, so you won't get tired of it even if you eat it every day.
It's prepared in the store every day.

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Clear and Delicious Broth

How can it be both light and
so rich in flavor?

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Special Cha Shu Pork

It is prepared to be melt-in-your-mouth soft. The excess oil has been removed, making it low in calories, but still filling, Kitakata Ramen Sakauchi's special roast pork.
We make it 2-3 times a day in our stores.

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Melt-in-Your-Mouth Special Cha Shu Pork

How is it so tender yet
surprisingly low in calories?

Hand-Kneaded Noodles

The noodles are carefully aged to suit the time of serving. The noodles are the essence of Kitakata ramen.
It is a chewy and firm "flat, aged, high-hydration noodles."
The curly noodles are lovingly hand-kneaded, making them unique to Kitakata ramen, and they coat the soup well.

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Hand-Kneaded Noodles

Why does kneading them
by hand make them so delicious?

Perfectly Steamed Rice

We cook rice in our stores every day so that we can provide you with freshly cooked rice at any time.
We offer half a serving of rice free of charge until 3:00 p.m. on weekdays.
It goes perfectly with ramen, and we also recommend the grilled pork rice.

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Perfectly Steamed Rice

Is Rice Really Always
Freshly Cooked?

The Art of Hospitality Possible
Quality" and "Genuine Hospitality"

While we strive to offer affordable ramen, we never compromise on service.
We cherish every interaction with our customers who visit our restaurants. Even our international managers study Japanese culture diligently to convey genuine warmth.
Though it might be "just a bowl of ramen," we strive to create an atmosphere where every guest feels truly at ease - that is the essence of Ban-nai chain's approach to hospitality.

A Humble Apology
for Our Handmade Approach

We are committed to handcrafting our food. Our prized Cha Shu is prepared fresh daily at each location.
Our vagetables are hand-washed prepared by our staff.We believe certain qualities can only be transmitted through human hands.Consewuently, there might be subtle variations between locations.
We sincerely apologize in advance for any inconvenience this might cause.
We continue to refine our skills while ensuring consistent quality you can trust across all our restaurants.

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