Tantanmen Gomaru: Ramen for Women

Up until a few years ago, ramen—the high-calorie, late-night noodle bowl or quick lunch choice mostly favored by Japan's salarymen—would not normally be associated with female customers. But things are changing fast in Japan, and now we are seeing an increasing number of ramen stores targeting women. There is even a Ramen Girls Festival happening this March in Yokohama.

One place aiming to attract more female clients is Tantanmen Gomaru, newly opened in Ginza. With its bright and spacious interior, it’s nothing like the usual cramped, utilitarian ramen joints that have you squeezed up against other strangers slurping on their noodles. At Gomaru, female customers get their ramen served with a complimentary glass of soy milk-and-sesame vegetable juice as an appetizer, which—apart from being rich in fiber—apparently also helps to prevent a sudden, drastic blood sugar increase after sucking up a bowl of high-carb, rib-sticking noodles. The restaurant also provides goma (sesame seeds) to add for a delicious, extra fix of vitamins and minerals. The ramen itself is lighter and less greasy than the usual, and it’s colorfully arranged to grab attention.

Tantanmen Gomaru is a quiet and relaxed place that’s good for a quick lunch, or—who knows—perhaps wait a few years for it to turn into a comfortable venue for a girls’ night out.

Another reason to go? The kind gentlemen in the kitchen may even invite you back to have a look at their special preparation methods. Here’s a Savvy sneak peak behind the scenes.

The Deets

Address: North Ginza Wing Bldg., 1-14-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03-3563-0888

Open: Daily, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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