5 Recommended Shops for Delicious "Beppu Reimen" to Eat After a Bath
Beppu is one of Japan's leading hot spring towns. When it comes to cold gourmet food that cools down your flushed body after warming up to the core, "Beppu Reimen" is the answer.
Beppu Reimen has evolved uniquely at each shop, with different soups, noodles, kimchi, and char siu, making each one deeply flavorful and many people enjoy comparing them. Please try to find your favorite taste.
*The spots in this article were selected by local supporters (staff at Hoshino Resorts KAI Beppu), focusing on places within walking distance or a 10-minute drive from the hot spring ryokan "KAI Beppu."
What is Beppu Reimen?
It is said that the roots of Beppu Reimen lie in the cold noodles of Korean cuisine brought back by people who returned from Manchuria shortly after the war and lived in Beppu. There is no clear definition of Beppu Reimen. Generally, it is characterized by noodles containing buckwheat flour, Japanese-style dashi broth, cabbage kimchi, and beef char siu. However, there are also shops that use napa cabbage kimchi or pork char siu, and all of them are Beppu Reimen. From yakiniku restaurants and ramen shops to restaurants and diners, it has evolved into a unique taste at each shop.
Beppu Reimen is a great gourmet treat for a body flushed from a bath, but please be aware that if you have a buckwheat allergy, as most noodles use buckwheat flour.
1Tairiku Ramen
Classic Beppu cold noodles to enjoy near the station
A traditional ramen shop founded around 1952-1953 (Showa 27-28). The interior is full of Showa-era retro atmosphere.
The cold noodles feature a light, Japanese-style kelp-based soup. The fat is trimmed, resulting in a clean taste. The homemade, hand-crafted noodles with a high buckwheat flour content are thick and have just the right amount of elasticity. The noodles are squeezed out from a cold noodle machine installed above the pot. You can also adjust the boiling time if you prefer your noodles firmer or softer. The chewy beef char siu, simmered in the soup, is also a distinctive feature.
Enjoy an unchanging taste in a traditional shop interior
The signature kimchi cabbage has a crisp texture, with a perfect balance of spiciness and acidity. It is an essential element that brings the entire soup together. We recommend enjoying a spoonful of the soup first without mixing in the kimchi. Then, try mixing the kimchi in to change the flavor.
The owner says he wants to provide something that people can eat every day without getting tired of it. He has kept the flavor almost unchanged since the shop's founding. With a playful smile, he told us, "We don't do mail order or chain expansion, so I really hope you'll come and try this cold noodle dish that can only be tasted at this shop."
Local
Supporter
A shop where you can also be soothed by the banter of the friendly married couple who run it. Their cold noodles are popular even in winter, and it is said that some people even go out of their way to take a hot spring bath to warm up before coming to eat them.
- Tairiku Ramen
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1-10-21 Kitahama, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture MAP 
Approx. 5-minute walk from KAI Beppu, approx. 4-minute walk from JR Beppu Station
11:00–20:00 (Closing time may be earlier)
Tuesdays
0977-23-2657
None
2Rokusei
A highly popular Beppu cold noodle specialty shop with many local fans
A cold noodle specialty shop that boasts some of the highest popularity in Beppu. The main store opened in 2001, and the Tokiwa Beppu branch opened in 2019. The soup, made with thick-leaf kelp and Rausu kelp from Kushiro, Hokkaido, is refreshing yet deep in flavor, with a pleasant aroma that spreads in your mouth. It is a clear, beautiful soup with the fat carefully removed, making you want to drink it all the way to the last drop.
The noodles were perfected after much trial and error using an original blend of high-quality wheat flour, buckwheat flour, and starch. Compared to other shops, they contain more buckwheat flour, which is why the noodles have a color closer to that of soba. They are firm and elastic, with an excellent texture as they go down.
The chewy beef chashu has an addictive flavor
The domestic beef shank chashu is another highlight. The beef is simmered thoroughly, and as you chew, its umami spreads and matches the soup perfectly. The crisp cabbage kimchi has a strong acidity and spiciness, which gives the entire cold noodle dish a sharp, refreshing kick.
The reason there is no vinegar or similar condiments on the table is because the owner wants customers to enjoy the flavor exactly as it is. It is said that some people set aside some of the kimchi first and eat it while gradually changing the flavor. With its hearty noodles, beef chashu, and cabbage kimchi, this is a satisfying and filling cold noodle dish.
Local
Supporter
For families with small children or large groups, the Tokiwa Beppu branch is recommended over the main store. You should be prepared to wait in line at the main store, but the Tokiwa Beppu branch has plenty of seats, allowing you to enjoy your meal without worry.
3Kogetsu
A traditional taste passed down by fans
A long-established Beppu Reimen restaurant. Although it was a popular shop founded in 1970, it closed its doors in 2017. However, regular customers who couldn't bear the thought of no longer being able to eat such delicious cold noodles stepped up as successors, and the shop was revived and reopened in February of the following year. They continue to preserve the taste of the previous owner, serving Beppu Reimen without changing the preparation method or flavor.
The shop's signature is its thick, incredibly chewy noodles. Made by hand in the shop using a blend of buckwheat and wheat flour, the noodles have such strong elasticity that many people are shocked the first time they try them.
The light, Japanese-style soup that you can drink down to the last drop is exquisite
The chewy noodles are brought together by a light, soy sauce-based soup. It is clean and clear. The cabbage kimchi topping is mild, with slightly less acidity and spiciness compared to other shops. You can taste the sweetness of the cabbage, which provides a perfect accent to the dish as a whole. The beef chashu, with its jerky-like flavor, is salty and pairs perfectly with the soup.
There is also a wide variety of cold and hot noodle options. The "Chashu Reimen," topped with so much meat that the noodles are hidden, is extremely popular and reportedly sells out quickly.
Local
Supporter
You can also enjoy the "Negi Reimen" (green onion cold noodles) made with plenty of Oita-grown Aji-ichi negi, the "Bibin Reimen" (spicy soupless noodles), and the "Onmen" (warm noodles), which, despite using almost the same ingredients, have a plumper texture and a different flavor profile than the cold noodles.
- Kogetsu
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- 8-1-26 Ishigaki-higashi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 9-minute drive from KAI Beppu, approx. 9-minute drive from JR Beppu Station
Take a bus from JR Beppu Station, get off at "Minamisuga Iriguchi" and walk for approx. 4 minutes- Wed–Sun 11:00–17:30 (Mon until 16:00)
*Closes when sold out - Tuesdays
- 0977-25-2735
- Free
4Beppu Reimen Ichiban
A famous cold noodle shop with many local fans
Located about a 5-minute walk from Beppu Station, this is a shop where you can taste authentic Beppu Reimen. Since 90% of orders in the summer and even half in the winter are for cold noodles, the shop changed its name from "Ramentei Ichiban" to its current name, which includes the word "Reimen." It is a popular spot with a wide range of fans, from locals to tourists, and has maintained the same taste since its founding in 1985.
The cold noodles feature a Japanese-style broth based on domestic beef with added bonito and kelp. The beef used to make the soup is then transformed into tender beef chashu.
Taste the carefully crafted, homemade noodles
Our specialty noodles are kneaded and prepared on the morning of the day they are served. The ingredients are buckwheat flour, wheat flour, and starch. The process involves kneading, treading, and resting the dough about three times, a method similar to that used for udon noodles. The medium-thick noodles, boiled for a longer time, are neither too firm nor too soft, offering an exquisite, chewy texture.
The cabbage kimchi has a strong acidity and spiciness. However, we keep the saltiness mild to ensure you can fully enjoy the flavor and deliciousness of the kimchi. With our homemade noodles, cabbage kimchi, and beef char siu, this is a classic Beppu cold noodle dish. It is a superb item packed with flavor in a refreshing broth.
Local
Supporter
This is an old-fashioned ramen shop with a TV playing and a counter. A distinctive feature is the beef chashu, which is so tender it falls apart.
- Beppu Reimen Ichiban
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- 8-31 Chuo-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 11-minute walk from KAI Beppu, approx. 5-minute walk from JR Beppu Station
- 11:00–16:00 (closes when sold out)
- Sundays (irregular holidays, please check the website)
- 0977-23-8155
- Free
5Shunkaen
Features special noodles hand-kneaded after receiving your order
Established in the early 1970s, this long-standing yakiniku restaurant has roots dating back to the 1950s. They have been serving cold noodles since the beginning and have refined the taste over time to suit the era.
Their cold noodles are homemade, hand-kneaded, medium-thin noodles. They are committed to quality, hand-kneading the dough with hot water after receiving an order, extruding it through a noodle machine, and boiling it immediately. They are characterized by their smooth texture and pleasant mouthfeel. The seafood-based soup, made from dried sardines, kombu, and bonito flakes, is light so that it can be enjoyed easily even after a yakiniku meal.
A shop that can be enjoyed casually by both large groups and individuals
The homemade kimchi adds a sharp accent to the cold noodles. It comes with a generous serving of three types of kimchi: napa cabbage, daikon radish, and cucumber. It is characterized by a strong, tangy flavor from long fermentation. The char siu uses large slices of pork belly. Another point of interest is the fruit, which is rare for Beppu cold noodles. The type changes depending on the season; in summer, it is often watermelon, while other times pears or cherries may be served.
The spacious restaurant is lively and bustling, with an extensive menu. Although it is a yakiniku restaurant, orders for cold noodles alone are very welcome.
Local
Supporter
It gets crowded on weekends, so booking a spot in the queue is recommended. The period between 14:00 and 17:00 is the best time to visit, as there are relatively more empty seats.
- Shunkaen
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- 4-1 Minami-Tateishi Ikku, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 10-minute drive from KAI Beppu, approx. 10-minute drive from JR Beppu Station
- Take a bus from JR Beppu Station, get off at "Kankaiji Iriguchi" and walk for approx. 2 minutes
- 11:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
- Irregular holidays
- 0977-24-3377
- Free
Reservation sitehttps://epark.jp/shopinfo/fsp582534/
Access to each of the restaurants introduced is also convenient. To "KAI Beppu," your travel base
Have you become interested in trying Beppu cold noodles, perfect for after a hot spring bath? "KAI Beppu" is conveniently located for easy access to each of the restaurants introduced here, making it easy to visit them on foot or by car. Why not plan a trip for your next holiday with "KAI Beppu" as your base, and enjoy a journey of hot spring hopping and local gourmet food?
MAP
- Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
Local supporter in charge of this article
KAI Beppu
Beppu Onsen, Oita Prefecture
Conveniently located as a base for sightseeing in Beppu. The view of the vast ocean from all ocean-view guest rooms is breathtaking.
Access About a 10-minute walk from JR Beppu Station
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥17,000