Japan restaurant still serves ramen for S$2.21 amidst rising costs

In an era where ramen restaurants are raising prices or shuttering due to soaring costs, one shop in Japan is bucking the trend.

As its name suggests, "Ramen Gyoza 250" in the city of Mito, the capital of Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture, serves up a bowl of ramen for a mere 250 yen (S$2.21).

That's cheaper than most meals you'd find in a Singapore hawker centre.

Hopes to give back to community

According to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, the shop's 34-year-old owner Hideo Murakami was inspired by a now-closed ramen restaurant in the city that also famously sold ramen at 250 yen per bowl.

He hopes to give back to the community by selling "cheap and satisfying" ramen in an age of inflation.

The shop's signature 250 yen (S$2.21) ramen consists of a soy-based broth made from chicken and vegetables, topped with ramen noodles, cha shu (braised pork belly) and spring onions.

Customers can opt to add toppings such as extra cha shu and bamboo shoots for 100 yen (S$0.88) each.

A plate of dumplings will set one back 250 yen (S$2.21) as well.

Murakami's shop is an anomaly in Japan, where average ramen prices are closer to 700 yen (S$6.19).

The price increases have been driven by inflation, with the main ingredients – flour noodles, pork and vegetables – costing an average of 10 per cent more in 2024 compared to 2022, Kyodo News reported.

Coupled with rising labour costs, this led to a record number of ramen eatery operators in Japan shuttering in 2024, research firm Teikoku Databank found.

Family runs an established noodle factory

Murakami is reportedly no stranger to the industry.

His family runs a long-established noodle factory in his hometown, and Murakami himself has long dreamt of opening his own ramen shop.

After graduating from university, Murakami initially worked in the information technology (IT) sector.

However, he later changed jobs to help with the family business, which had faced difficulties in the wake of the 2011 Japan earthquake.

When making noodles at his parents' house, Murakami was inspired to pursue his childhood dream, and after some challenges, "Ramen Gyoza 250" opened in February 2024.

How does he keep prices low?

Murakami's day starts at 6am, where he starts preparing the noodles.

These are purchased from his family's noodle factory at the same price as other suppliers.

Murakami said he keeps prices low by controlling ingredient and utility costs.

By doing so, he can sell ramen at a lower price than even some instant ramen products sold at convenience stores.

Some 30,000 customers have patronised the store in its first year of opening.

Moving forward, Murakami reportedly plans to open a "children's cafe" in his shop to repay the support of the community.

The initiative will allow nearby elementary school students to eat a free bowl of ramen at his shop each day.

Top image from ramen.gyoza.250/Instagram