Okinawa’s must-try Ryukyu Shinmen Tondou debuts officially – Now serving both men’s and women’s flavor ramen

▲ Signature Women’s Flavor Ramen. NT$320.

Reported and photographed by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

Taiwan’s first permanent branch of “Ryukyu Shinmen - Tondou,” the world’s first ramen shop with gender-specific flavors and a must-try when visiting Okinawa, will officially open on September 9. The shop’s signature Men’s Flavor Ramen (おとこ味ラーメン) and Women’s Flavor Ramen (おんな味ラーメン) are now available in Taiwan. In addition to ramen, the shop also offers some authentic Okinawan home-style dishes, such as red sweet potato tempura, fried mozuku seaweed, golden mozuku feet (available deep-fried and simmered), grilled marinated pork, and Okinawan stir-fried mixed vegetables.


▲ Signature Men’s Flavor Ramen. NT$320.

Why are there men’s and women’s flavor ramen? Shop owner Kinjo Ryōji explained that he originally learned to make ramen in Fukuoka Hakata and also wanted to bring tonkotsu ramen to Okinawa. He felt that tonkotsu ramen has a very strong, wild flavor but is actually smooth and gentle on the palate, which he associates with masculinity—hence the name Men’s Flavor. On the other hand, the salt-flavored chicken broth ramen is made with chicken bone stock that looks mild and includes sea salt, giving it a rich and deep taste, which he associates with femininity—thus naming it Women’s Flavor.


▲ Fried Golden Mozuku Feet.


▲ Okinawan Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables.


▲ Grilled Marinated Pork.


▲ Japanese Gyoza.

The men’s flavor broth is primarily tonkotsu-based, with added ingredients like carrots and onions. Since the broth is richer, it is served with thin noodles. The women’s flavor ramen broth is made with chicken bones along with kelp and seafood, resulting in a lighter broth, and is served with noodles slightly thicker than those in the men’s version. The men’s ramen is available in original, black garlic sesame oil, and spicy miso flavors, while the women’s ramen comes in original and soy sauce versions. Prices start at NT$230.

As Tondou started as an izakaya (Japanese pub), the ramen shop also serves some signature dishes, such as fried mozuku made by coating mozuku (brown algae) and luncheon meat in a perfectly balanced batter for a crispy outside and tender inside. The red sweet potato tempura uses Okinawa’s specialty red sweet potatoes, which take on a unique flavor when fried.

Location: Taipei Uni-President Department Store, B2