Samurai Ramen — Restaurant in Yufu

Ok, so I went here based on google reviews for a satisfying lunch with my girlfriend as we travel and eat our way around Japan.

I don’t actually believe this to be 1/5 but I’m putting 1/5 to drag down the unrealistic score of 4.7/5 with almost 2k reviews. Hopefully inspiring people to find other gems.

It was good, it was a basic pork broth ramen. Little bit pricy for the amount of toppings, fairly well balanced but nothing wow and not nearly deserving of a 4.7/5 score. Closer to a 3.8/5. I would eat again but I’d rather try my luck at a different restaurant. Gyoza was quite tasty tho, definitely on the higher tier. Little bit sweet, juicy and meaty flavour.

All around the restaurant there is little notes promising a reward if you give them a review on google, I believe this is the cause for the inflated review score. Smart marketing but it led to a somewhat disappointing lunch, expecting to experience something otherworldly good and instead receiving...

We spot upon Samurai Ramen and was immediately drawn in by its traditional facade. This establishment clearly takes pride in its ramen craftsmanship. I opted for the signature Samurai Ramen, and it was a revelation. The broth, a meticulously crafted tonkotsu, possessed a depth of flavor that was both rich and nuanced. The noodles, cooked to al dente perfection, had a delightful firmness that complemented the broth beautifully. The chashu was tender and flavorful, with a melt-in-your-mouth quality. What truly elevated the experience was the attention to detail – from the perfectly cooked egg to the expertly balanced toppings. The service was attentive without being intrusive, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. Samurai Ramen is a must-visit for any ramen enthusiast...

We were staying one night at Yufuin, and found this highly rated ramen place just opposite our residence. The restaurant is conveniently located, just few hundred meters walk from the main station. We had spicy ramen, gyoyza and fried rice. All are so yummy. The restaurant is also cosy and gives very welcoming vibes.

Also to add on: After our meal, we found thT our umbrella kept outside the restaurant had gone missing! We were utterly disappointed as it was raining heavily and the umbrella we had were loan from our hotel, and did not belong to us. However, the staff serving us that day quickly passed us an umbrella belonging to them. We returned the umbrella the next day after it saved us from getting drenched that night. Thank you so much for the hospitality. Truly...