Gumi ramen shop for a date at my boyfriend's old haunt: Menya Tanuki

Today I'm sharing a Geumnidan-gil spot in Gumi that I was really happy with, from a dinner date with my boyfriend haha. Menya Tanuki is famous among ramen fans, and it was even featured as a Gumi favorite on the TBC show "Jigeumeun Jibang Sidae"!

Menya Tanuki hours and location

Menya Tanuki is open daily from 11:30 to 21:00, with a break from 15:30 to 17:00. Last orders are at 15:00 and 20:30, and there's free parking, Wi-Fi, a waiting area and high chairs.

• Daily 11:30 - 21:00
• Break time 15:30 - 17:00
• Last order 15:00, 20:30
• Free parking
• Wi-Fi
• Waiting area / high chairs

It's a popular place, so there's a waiting list and a waiting area by the entrance! You order easily at a kiosk, too haha.

Can you walk to Menya Tanuki from Gumi Station? Is there parking?

Menya Tanuki is a 5-minute walk from the back exit of Gumi Station, so it's really easy to reach by public transport!! It's also a handy stop if you're traveling around Gumi.

For those who drive, free parking is well set up too haha. After your meal, just register your license plate at the shop and you'll get free parking, so keep that in mind!

What is the atmosphere like at Menya Tanuki?

The shop has a cozy feel, like a ramen shop in Japan, and you order at a kiosk. The moment we walked in, I loved the atmosphere, which had that master-chef vibe!

I think it works for dining solo near Gumi Station, for a date, or with friends haha. The walls have menu explanations along with tips for enjoying ramen at its best, so I thought, yep, this is a proper authentic Japanese ramen place!

The tables have spices, kelp vinegar and yuzu pickled radish (danmuji) to make your ramen even richer! Actually, my boyfriend said Menya Tanuki was a place he often came to when he lived in Gumi haha. I'm so looking forward to this~~

How is Menya Tanuki's shrimp dim sum?

The shrimp dim sum we ordered as a side came out first haha. The wrappers were so moist and bouncy that I dropped them a few times with my chopsticks, hahahaha.

It's packed with shrimp and has a springy texture, so it worked nicely as an appetizer haha.

What does Menya Tanuki's Tanuki shoyu ramen taste like?

The Tanuki shoyu ramen my boyfriend chose is a spicy version of shoyu (soy sauce) ramen haha. The broth has a deep, rich savoriness, and the smoky wok aroma is outstanding.

With its spicy yet deep broth, the thin noodles soak up plenty of soup, and I could see why it's popular as a hangover cure~ Plenty of toppings too!!

My ramen-fanatic boyfriend ate it with gusto haha. He really looked like a regular, you know? lol

Menya Tanuki's signature spicy tsukemen: our review

What I ordered was Menya Tanuki's signature, the spicy tsukemen (dipping noodles)!! I'd strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys spicy food.

Dunking plump, chewy noodles into a rich spicy dipping soup is fun and appealing, isn't it? haha

It comes with loads of chashu (braised pork) too, so generous that I shared some with my boyfriend!

Finishing the tsukemen with wari soup (broth to thin the dip)

After finishing the noodles, you can ask for wari soup (a broth to dilute the leftover dipping soup) for a different kind of finish haha. I'm a small eater and was too full, so I'll try it next time T_T

The chewy noodles soaked up the savoriness of the soup and it was totally my taste! I think people who like thick noodles like udon, like me, will really love it!! Great atmosphere for a Gumi date too, highly recommended!

Is Menya Tanuki a good ramen shop for a date near Gumi Station?

Menya Tanuki takes ramen seriously, with authentic Japanese tsukemen, shoyu ramen and even mazesoba (brothless mixed noodles), so we had a really satisfying dinner haha. If you're looking for proper Japanese ramen near Gumi Station, do visit Menya Tanuki!