You can get free refills of noodles up to two times!! Kaohsiung’s late-night ramen spot — only 30 servings of Red Oni Head Ramen available

Text and photos byShadow

The ramen market in Kaohsiung has entered a competitive “Warring States” era. Ramen is an easily accepted dish for most people, especially in winter—enjoying a steaming bowl of ramen is a blissful experience. Yamamoto-ya Ramen was initially started by a group of ambitious young people. These highly educated youths had entrepreneurial dreams even during their school days, but due to practical constraints, it wasn’t until several years after graduation that they finally went to Japan to learn from a Japanese ramen master. After returning, they opened the first Yamamoto-ya Ramen shop, which unexpectedly gained a great reputation. They later each chose to open branches in northern Taiwan, central Taiwan, and Kaohsiung, with each branch managed by a different owner.

The name “Yamamoto-ya Ramen” comes from the Japanese master’s surname, Yamamoto. The name was chosen to show respect and gratitude toward the master. Located on South Mingshu Road 3rd in Kaohsiung, Yamamoto-ya Ramen is open from noon until the early hours of the morning, making it a go-to late-night dining spot for locals heading home late.

The spacious dining area offers both counter seating and traditional two-person table seating. The interior decoration mainly features wood materials, creating a visually pleasant and authentically Japanese atmosphere.

The cherry blossom tree decoration at the entrance adds to the Japanese ambiance.

Here, you can get free noodle refills—and up to two times at that. The boss is truly generous. For a more hearty meal, you can order Set A (additional NT$49, includes a drink under NT$100), Set B (additional NT$75, includes a drink under NT$100 and an appetizer/fried item under NT$40), or Set C (additional NT$130, includes a drink under NT$100, an appetizer/fried item under NT$40, and a dessert under NT$70). Any amount exceeding these prices will be charged accordingly.

There is no minimum spend, and no service charge is applied. The ordering system is semi-self-service—you serve your own seasonings and drinks.

▲ Deluxe Royal Set for Two – NT$799Includes appetizers, main dishes, special sides, desserts, and drinks—all in one very generous meal.

Special discounts are available for those visiting as a late-night eatery. Late-night diners, take note.

The shop offers a wide variety of flavor-packed side dishes, such asTomato marinated in plum—tangy, sweet, and deliciously appetizing.

▲ Soft-Boiled EggThe egg white is well-seasoned, and the yolk is perfectly runny, offering an excellent texture.

▲ Green Jade Crispy ShredsSmooth, crisp, and also a great appetizer.

▲ Imported Japanese Black Beans—sweet, soft, and easy to eat.

▲ With a taste reminiscent of grandma’s cooking,Korean-style kimchihas a slightly sweet flavor, unlike the overly salty traditional version. Its refreshing crunchiness has earned our praise.

▲ Hot Spring Tofuhas a firm texture, and when drizzled with Japanese bonito sauce, it becomes smooth, refreshing, and delicious.

▲ Braised Char Siu Porkis enhanced with crispy fried shallots, giving the pork an extra layer of flavor—definitely worth trying on its own.

▲ Boneless Crispy Chicken CubesMade in an air fryer, it’s flavorful without the excess oil.

▲ Japanese ramen makes an appearanceFuzhou pickled mustard greensQuite unique—crunchy pickled mustard greens are great on their own or paired with ramen.

▲ Char siu pork bone ramen – 250 TWD

The broth is simmered with pork bones for over 8 hours, resulting in a milky-white soup that’s smooth and easy to drink. Compared to authentic Japanese ramen, it’s less salty and greasy.

The char siu has a well-balanced fat-to-lean ratio. Roasted to bring out its aroma, the char siu isn’t greasy and is even suitable for ladies.

The char siu takes a lot of time to make—the marinating process alone lasts at least four or five days. Before serving, it’s roasted to enhance the flavor and render out excess fat, delivering the best texture.

The noodles are finely made, very similar to those used in Japan’s Ippudo ramen. They were specially crafted by a veteran Taiwanese noodle master, making them more flavorful.

▲ Red Oni Ramen – 320 TWD (includes side dish and drink) / Limited to 30 bowls during late-night service

The broth is pork-bone based. We chose the mildly spicy option—it’s not very spicy, just a slight kick.

The Oni swordfish is sourced from Qianzhen Fishing Port. It’s one of the few places that includes fish in their ramen, and due to limited availability, it’s only offered in restricted daily quantities.

▲ Japanese pan-fried dumplings – 80 TWD / À la carte

The dumplings are handmade by the shop. Folded into a consistent 11-pleat shape, the recipe was learned from a renowned Taipei dim sum chef, resulting in these delicious pan-fried dumplings.

The pork filling is hearty, and the seasoning is spot-on—tasty and enjoyable.

▲ Honey yuzu tea – 80 TWD (left) ? / Colorful soda – 120 TWD (right)

The colorful soda was accidentally created by the shop and is a type of sparkling drink—really tasty. The honey yuzu tea is also good, with actual yuzu pulp, something girls will love.

▲ Snow lotus bird’s nest – 70 TWD / À la carte

A dessert featuring bird’s nest—doesn’t that sound luxurious? It has a ginseng-like aroma, sweet but not cloying, and is beautifying.

▲ Tiramisu – 65 TWD / À la carte

▲ Free ice cream with check-in.

This group of young people, despite their impressive educational backgrounds, gave up enviable high-paying jobs to spend their days in hot, humid kitchens, perfecting their cooking—all just to realize their entrepreneurial dreams. Their dedication is truly admirable. Since opening, they’ve built a solid customer base. Compared to other ramen flavors, theirs is lighter and more refreshing, making it a great choice for those who don’t enjoy overly salty or greasy ramen. Highly recommended.

Yamamoto-ten Ramen
Address: No. 78, Section 3, Meishu South Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-5866679
Business hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:30–24:00
Closed: None

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