Top 3 Famous Shops in Japan for “Tsubame Seabura Ramen,” One of Niigata’s Five Great Ramen Styles

Hot springs and scenic views are always appealing, but if you’re visiting Niigata, a prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, why not plan a “ramen journey” instead? Niigata is home to five unique local ramen styles, each developed in different regions of the prefecture — Nagaoka Ginger Soy Sauce, Sanjo Curry, Tsubame Seabura (Pork Back Fat), Niigata Light Soy Sauce, and Niigata Rich Miso Ramen. Each reflects the local climate and culture, and has long been loved on the dining tables of Niigata’s residents.

Among them, Tsubame Seabura Ramen, which originated in the city of Tsubame, is a hearty bowl born in a craftsman’s town known for its harsh winters. It’s said to have been created for metalworkers who needed something to warm their bodies — a soy sauce–based soup topped generously with rich pork back fat. The deep, savory flavor, enhanced with dried sardine broth, and the thick curly noodles that hold the rich fat beautifully make this ramen unforgettable after just one bite. Here are three famous shops where you can experience the authentic taste of Tsubame Seabura Ramen.

The Origin of Tsubame Seabura Ramen: Koshu Hanten

Known as the birthplace of Tsubame Seabura Ramen, Koshu Hanten is a true “sacred spot” where long lines of ramen lovers are always waiting. Its signature dish, Chuka Soba, features a rich brown soy sauce broth with the sharpness of raw soy sauce and the aroma of dried sardines, topped with high-quality pork back fat from Japanese pigs. The extra-thick noodles, freshly made every morning, are boiled firm on the outside for a chewy, powerful texture. Finely chopped onions add a refreshing finish, and even a regular-size bowl offers a hearty serving. You can also adjust the amount of back fat to your liking. With many fans visiting from outside the prefecture, this legendary shop is well worth the taxi ride from JR Tsubamesanjo Station.

Hours	Mon–Thu: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sat, Sun & National Holidays: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM Closed: Mondays (twice a month, closed on both Monday and Tuesday)
Address	49-4 Tsubame, Tsubame-shi, Niigata 959-1288, Japan
Access	・Tsubamesanjo Washington Hotel: walk about 5 minutes to JR Tsubamesanjo Station and take the JR Yahiko Line to Tsubame Station. From there, take the Echigo Kotsu Bus bound for “Bunsui Station” and get off at “Tsubame Rosai Byoin-mae.” The restaurant is about a 2-min. walk from the bus stop.
URL	https://ra-men.tsubame-kankou.jp/stores/entry-27.html

Shumentei Jun – The Restaurant That Made Tsubame Seabura Ramen Famous

Shumentei Jun is the restaurant that brought Tsubame Seabura Ramen to national fame. While preserving the traditional flavor born in the craftsman’s town of Tsubame, this popular shop has expanded to Tokyo and even overseas. Its signature dish, Chuka Soba, features a rich yet sharp soy sauce broth infused with dried sardines and topped with pork back fat. A generous portion of rock seaweed adds a pleasant ocean aroma, perfectly balancing the richness of the fat. Customers can choose their preferred level of back fat—medium, large, or extra rich. The shop’s homemade round noodles have a smooth texture and blend harmoniously with the flavorful soup. Each bowl, filled with local pride and craftsmanship, represents a “tradition in evolution” and is a must-try when visiting Tsubame.

Hours	Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Last Order 9:00 PM) Sat, Sun & National Holidays: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM Closed: Every Tuesday and the second Monday of each month
Address	464-12 Komaki, Tsubame-shi, Niigata, Japan
Access	・Tsubamesanjo Washington Hotel, walk about 5 minutes to JR Tsubamesanjo Station and take the JR Yahiko Line to Tsubame Station. From there, take a taxi for about 7 minutes, or walk approximately 25 minutes to reach Shumentei Jun Tsubame Main Shop.
URL	http://www.ramenjun.co.jp/shop/

Migaku – A New Generation of Tsubame Seabura Ramen Focused on Quality Ingredients

Located along National Route 116, Migaku, marked by its red signboard, is a new-generation Tsubame Seabura Ramen shop that opened in 2015. Its soup, made with specially brewed soy sauce aged in cedar barrels and aromatic dried sardines, is based on a rich broth slowly simmered from pork bones and enhanced with layers of flavor from niboshi and bonito flakes. The thick, flat noodles from the local Kondo Seimen factory have a chewy texture that perfectly intertwines with the deep, savory broth. Migaku also takes pride in using naturally brewed soy sauce from Ogiya Shoten in Niigata City’s Minami Ward. Served in a stainless-steel bowl made in Tsubame, the restaurant’s signature dish, “Seabura Chuka Zen Nose,” features a steaming hot soup topped with a generous array of luxurious toppings—an impressive bowl that embodies both craftsmanship and innovation.

Hours	11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Last Order 2:30 PM) 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:30 PM)
Address	591-5 Yoshida Shimonakano, Tsubame-shi, Niigata, Japan
Access	・Tsubamesanjo Washington Hotel: walk about 5 minutes to JR Tsubamesanjo Station and take the JR Yahiko Line to Yoshida Station. From there, it is about a 12-min. walk to reach Migaku.
URL	https://www.instagram.com/migaku.tubame/