Ringer Hut - THE FLAVOR OF NAGASAKI CHAMPON EVERYWHERE IN JAPAN
Introductino to the chain
Ringer Hut (リンガーハット) is a Japanese chain specializing in Nagasaki champon (or chanpon according to transcriptions), a hearty noodle dish with vegetables, seafood and meat in a flavorful broth. Created to promote the regional flavors of Japan, it offers healthy, fast and affordable cuisine.
Nationwide presence
Ringer Hut has numerous establishments across Japan, notably in shopping malls, near railway stations and in urban areas. In Kyoto, you can find them in shopping malls like Aeon Mall or near major railway stations.
What can we eat?
The star dish is champon, served with a wide variety of vegetables. There’s also sara udon (crispy noodles topped with the same filling), gyoza as a side dish, and combination menus for small appetites or families.
Ordering at Ringer Hut
Ordering is generally done at the counter or via a kiosk, depending on the establishment. Service is fast and efficient. Extra vegetables can be requested free of charge, making this a popular choice for the diet-conscious.
What is champon?
Champon is a noodle dish from the city of Nagasaki, Japan. It consists of thick noodles served in a broth made from pork bones, and topped generously with sautéed vegetables, seafood (such as shrimp and squid) and sometimes pork. This dish was originally created to provide a nourishing and economical meal for Chinese students living in Nagasaki. Its noodles are thick like Japanese udon, but boiled in alkaline water like Chinese-inspired ramen. Today, it is appreciated throughout Japan for its rich taste and nutritional value.
What are Sara Udon?
Nagasaki Sara Udon is a regional dish from Nagasaki Prefecture. It consists of thin noodles fried to a crisp, onto which is poured a hot filling of pork, shrimp, squid, cabbage, bean sprouts and other vegetables, all bound together with a thick sauce. It’s a tasty and generous dish, appreciated throughout Japan.
Personal experience
One weekday in June, we went to the Ringer Hut restaurant, located a few minutes from the Shijo-Kawaramachi intersection, around 1pm. The restaurant is located along Kawaramachi Avenue, but it’s not very big. When we entered the restaurant, all the seats were occupied, so we indicated the number of people to the staff and waited about 5 minutes. About 5 minutes later, a table opened up and the staff took us to our seats. Inside the restaurant, there were both tables and a counter suitable for single diners. Around three-quarters of the customers appeared to be single.
Although this restaurant is located in a busy area, and it’s no longer uncommon to see a majority of foreign tourists in Kyoto establishments recently, the clientele here was almost exclusively Japanese. Even for locals, Nagasaki champon is not a dish with which everyone is familiar. For foreign tourists, therefore, it may be even more difficult to understand the cuisine on offer.
At Ringer Hut, the main course is champon, a noodle specialty originally from Nagasaki, but you can also enjoy gyoza (Japanese ravioli), which have recently become very popular with foreign visitors. In Kyoto, it’s not uncommon to see long queues of foreign tourists in front of restaurants specializing in gyoza. This restaurant may therefore also be an interesting option for those wishing to sample gyoza.
Once seated at the table, you’ll find a tablet on which you can place your order. All dishes are accompanied by photos, so even foreign customers can order without fear of not knowing what they’re getting. The menu features classic dishes such as Nagasaki champon or crispy Nagasaki “sara udon” noodles, as well as limited edition dishes depending on the season, and side dishes such as gyozas or rice.
The gyozas on offer don’t come in many varieties with different fillings, but you can enjoy the real traditional recipe. However, you can choose with or without garlic. Champon resembles a bowl of ramen, but is distinguished by the wide variety of ingredients it contains, making it a nutritionally well-balanced meal. If you’re interested, give it a try!
Actual cost
Seafood chanpon: ¥1,020
Aperitif set menu (beer + gyoza): ¥660 ×2
Small chanpon: ¥590
Total: ¥2,930 ≈ $18.19
(based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 161 yen)
Basic information
📍 Location: Kyoto Aeon Mall, shopping malls, train stations
💰 Average price: ¥1,000 – ¥1,500
⏰ Opening hours: 11:00 – 22:00
👪 Recommended for: families, balanced meals, noodle lovers
🌐 Official website: https://www.ringerhut.jp/
Highlights
– Healthy and hearty typical dish
– Free vegetable supplement
– Excellent value for money
Note
– Little variety in gyoza or noodle dishes apart from champon
– Canteen-style atmosphere in some establishments
