Gumi ramen restaurant near Geumosan: tsukemen and shoyu, Menya Tanuki

This is Syushubi! I recently watched the Japanese animated film Momo and the Wondrous Youkai at the movie theater, and afterward my kid said they wanted Japanese ramen. So I decided to look for a proper Japanese ramen specialty shop for something a bit special. That's how we ended up at Menya Tanuki, a Japanese ramen restaurant near Geumosan in Gumi.

Menya Tanuki, a Japanese ramen restaurant near Geumosan in Gumi

Arriving at Menya Tanuki near Geumosan in Gumi, the exterior already had that Japanese vibe going strong. The shop was decorated exactly the way you'd expect from a Japanese ramen specialty restaurant, and it was impressive.

There were even waiting chairs set up outside the shop. We went in expecting an atmosphere like being in Japan itself, and ramen with a rich broth, so we had high hopes.

Inside Menya Tanuki: bar seats that suit solo diners

Reviews said this place usually has long waits, so we came a little early, avoiding dinner time. But not long after we got in, the tables filled up completely and there were already waiting customers.

There's just one table, and the rest is bar-table seating, so it felt totally fine to come here alone for a meal too. It had that cozy, unpretentious feel you'd associate with a Japanese ramen shop.

Menya Tanuki menu and prices at the kiosk

Ordering was simple, done through a kiosk. Onnuri gift certificates are accepted too.

Menya Tanuki's signature menu is the tsukemen, described as boasting the ultimate umami, so I was curious and ordered it.

What we ordered at Menya Tanuki

• Tsukemen 1 (spicy) ₩11,000
• Tanuki Shoyu Ramen 2 (regular) ₩19,000
• Order total ₩30,000

You can adjust the salt level, rice is free, and you can choose the spice level too, so order it however suits your taste.

Japanese atmosphere and the small touches

Little decorative pieces around the shop made it feel like Japan, so it was fun just looking around. I especially liked that they had hair ties and toothpicks ready. Hair can be annoying while eating ramen, so that small thoughtfulness was very welcome.

After ordering, we sat down and waited for the food to arrive.

Tanuki shoyu ramen: the bowl to order

The first dish to arrive was the Tanuki Shoyu Ramen. Passed the visual test right away! The clean yet appetizing look of the ramen made me want to dig in immediately.

Menya Tanuki's Tanuki Shoyu Ramen apparently blends pork and chicken broth simmered carefully in-house with a broth made from seven types of seafood. It felt like the deep flavor of pork and chicken broth combined with the refreshing, rich umami of seafood broth.

Eating the broth and noodles together worked really well, and it was especially satisfying watching my elementary-school kid polish off a whole bowl. Of course, the seasoning and broth flavor can vary depending on personal taste, but it suited my kid's palate well.

Tsukemen, the dip-style signature

Next up was Menya Tanuki's signature tsukemen. The look is a bit different from a typical ramen, isn't it? It's a Japanese-style dipping ramen where the noodles and broth come out separately, and you dip the noodles into the richly brewed broth.

There was a generous amount of meat, so it was fun eating the meat and noodles together. And of course, the soft-boiled egg couldn't be left out. The creamy yolk texture blended really well with the salty broth, and it was delicious.

Menya Tanuki's tsukemen is apparently a Japanese-style ramen made with richly brewed anchovy broth plus the deep umami of bonito. It even reminded me a bit of Jeju anchovy jeotgal (salted anchovies). The distinct deep, rich anchovy flavor definitely gave it a different charm from a regular shoyu ramen.

Dipping the noodles deep into the broth let the rich broth flavor soak right in. The noodles were also nice and chewy. Tsukemen is definitely a different style from regular ramen, so if you're a fan of Japanese ramen, it might be worth trying at least once.

Since the dish features the strong flavor of anchovy and bonito, I think it could be a hit-or-miss for those who don't prefer that flavor. Personally, the Tanuki Shoyu Ramen suited my taste better.

How to get to Menya Tanuki, and the verdict

From the atmosphere that feels like being in Japan itself to the rich-broth ramen, it was a satisfying meal. Being able to adjust the salt level and getting free rice were both nice touches. Next time you're craving Japanese ramen in Gumi, try the ramen full of authentic Japanese vibes at Menya Tanuki.

Menya Tanuki / 19 Geumosan-ro 12-gil, 1F, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea