Welcome to Mendokoro Akatsuki

“ Saw this shop along Route 18 many times and we finally tried it today! After living in Karuizawa for many months and finding a delicious ramen, I was delighted to try their tonkatsu with garlic oil! It had the right amount of umami & garlic taste which I’ve been craving for. The chashu was also a thick size, and the vegetables went well with the broth! Their gyoza was super fat and delicious. Would definitely come back again. ”

“ Deep in the depths of a small road nestled in the forests of Miyota, a warm aroma wafts up as we open a wooden door. My black cat and I, a white cat, have known this scent for a long time. This is no ordinary ramen shop. The ramen and dishes created by a former French chef reside with a quiet pride in each bowl. We cats, always drawn by the aroma, sit in the corner of the shop, watching the humans dining. One day, a traveler who happened to drop by ordered Akatsuki Ramen. He let out a cry of surprise from beyond the steam, but he soon became enthralled, slurping down the flavorful broth and thick noodles, squinting with happiness. We cats wagged our tails and nodded inwardly. "That's right, this is the kind of place it is." Another customer also chose Akatsuki Ramen. The ginger stood out, and the light aroma of soy sauce spread. It felt like a completely different world from the ramen you'd get at other places. But the tanmen is actually delicious! Under the table, we overlapped black and white shadows, enjoying the differences between them, just like the two flavors of ramen. However, this restaurant has one promise: Those who cannot follow the rules are not welcome here. The sign at the entrance is like a prayer from the chef, wishing to maintain tranquility. If you want to eat noisily, go somewhere else. This restaurant has separated its premises for those who want to enjoy a quiet meal. One evening, we spotted a child eating politely. Watching his small back, we gently leaned against him. As long as you can follow the rules, people of any age are welcome. However, there is one thing that even we cats don't understand. The only thing that neither humans nor cats can predict is when this restaurant will be open: its fickle opening times. Even when Google Maps says "Open," there are days when the doors are closed. But that, too, is one of the restaurant's secrets. A kind of miracle that can only be experienced by those who happen to stumble upon it. When customers finish their meal, smile with satisfaction and head back out into the cool air, we send them off with a soft meow. We hope they come again. We hope they try a different flavor. And when they do, we black and white cats will be there quietly by their side. ”

“ Karuizawa ramen is here!! The owner is quite skilled! The soup is pork bone-based but subdued, designed to bring out the flavor of the ingredients. The noodles are homemade, medium-thick, and chewy, and very satisfying. The char siu is large and flavorful, and the toppings are well-thought-out in the Karuizawa style. And the fried rice is of a quality that's hard to find at ramen restaurants! It's a bit dry, but not too dry. The flavors of the onions, char siu, and egg are all retained, and it doesn't feel greasy. It's the best, lightly-flavored dish, and highly polished. I highly recommend ordering the fried rice at this restaurant. I have one request: it would be a shame to eat such delicious fried rice with a spoon; I wish it was served with a spoon. But I was very satisfied. Thank you for the meal! ”

“ Fantastic ramen and the crispiest fried chicken I've ever had!! 2 thumbs up. If you happen across Karuizawa, stop by for sure. ”

“ It was my first time there. My grandchildren ordered the yuzu salt ramen, seafood ramen, and soy sauce ramen. They were all delicious. I had heard from a friend that it was delicious, so I finally got to go. Next time, I'd like to try the gyoza, but they were sold out this time. ”

“ Very delicious! I had Akatsuki Ramen and salted koji fried chicken. Apparently the chef was originally a French chef, so the soup brings out the flavor of the pork bones without being too fishy or heavy, and is flavored with chili oil. The chewy noodles are a taste you'll want to eat again and again. The salted koji fried chicken is a hidden gem; it's stretched and deep-fried, giving it a crispy and moist texture, and the savory saltiness of the salted koji is the best. Thank you for the meal. ”

“ This place has awesome tonkotsu ramen. Their main ramen has a strong smoky garlic flavor and is so delicious. I got the seafood broth based and it’s a little lighter but still delicious. The yuzu salt ramen was very unique and a nice light flavor that is refreshing. My only complaint is the kerosene heater was on and it made the place smell bad while eating. Would come again! (Also it is very inexpensive yet amazing!) ”

“ The counter has a bar-like atmosphere. I ordered Akatsuki Ramen! For an additional 55 yen, you can add a salad. The noodles were chewy, the pork slices were large, the bowl was piping hot, and the soup was piping hot - it was amazing! Adding garlic chili oil gave it a punch and made it delicious. The special fried chicken was also refreshingly crispy and delicious. ”