Grand Opening on November 2, 2026 (Monday)
A new noodle shop, "Gokumen (獄麺) Osaka Ekimae Dai-3 Building Branch," will hold its grand opening on Monday, November 2, 2026, on the first basement floor of the Osaka Ekimae Dai-3 Building (大阪駅前第3ビル) in Umeda, Osaka. The shop specializes in noodles that star ultra-rich soy sauce and a generous amount of back fat.
Concept: "Geigoku" (迎獄)
The shop's concept is "Geigoku (迎獄)." Its bowl combines carefully selected chi-yu (chicken fat) and back fat with a sharp, ultra-rich soy sauce.
The bowl is not simply rich. With the first sip, the sharpness of the soy sauce and the depth of the oil arrive together, and the flavor deepens as the meal goes on. Diners can then change the taste with "鬼玉," a special spice that combines sansho pepper and spicy miso, and finish with a back fat onigiri (rice ball) to enjoy the remaining soup. Gokumen describes this new way of eating as "gokuru (獄る)."
The shop also describes the bowl as one that leaves a lasting impression, with oil richness and soy sauce punch. By the time the last drop is gone, diners may find themselves thinking, "I don't need this for a while." Yet three days later, the craving for that flavor returns. That mix of guilty indulgence, a slight regret at having eaten it, and unforgettable umami is the addictive quality Gokumen aims for.
Menu: Ultra-Rich Soy Sauce and Indulgent Umami
The signature bowl is the "Gokumen (獄麺)," made to pursue rich umami. The lineup also includes the "Goku Karamen (獄辛麺)," which offers a spicy kick, and the "Goku Mazemen (獄まぜ麺)," so diners can choose to suit their taste.
- Gokumen (獄麺): ¥1,180 (¥1,298 including tax)
- Goku Karamen (獄辛麺): ¥1,280 (¥1,408 including tax)
- Goku Mazemen (獄まぜ麺): ¥1,050 (¥1,155 including tax)
- Goku Oden (獄おでん): ¥750 (¥825 including tax)
- Back Fat Onigiri (背脂おにむすび): ¥350 (¥385 including tax)
Side dishes include the "Goku Oden (獄おでん)" and the back fat onigiri (背脂おにむすび), which is essential for finishing the meal. The shop suggests slurping the noodles, changing the flavor with 鬼玉, and closing with the onigiri, an indulgent way to enjoy a bowl to the very end.
What Is "Gokuru"?
Gokumen aims for addictive appeal built on powerful umami. The core of the flavor is carefully selected chi-yu (chicken fat), back fat, and a sharp ultra-rich soy sauce.
Chi-yu brings out aroma and richness, back fat provides a heavy umami, and the ultra-rich soy sauce ties everything together. By combining these distinct elements, the shop aims for a taste that is rich yet inviting enough to make diners want the next bite.
The umami of soy sauce and back fat hits right from the first bite, and a strong richness spreads as the noodles are slurped and chewed. Before long, diners keep reaching for one more bite after another. That is the "gokuru" experience.
Three Stages of Enjoying a Bowl
Gokumen suggests a three-stage way of eating, in which the flavor changes as the meal goes on.
Stage 1 (第一獄): Mix first. Mix the noodles, sauce, and fat thoroughly from the bottom of the bowl, and taste the rich umami of the ultra-rich soy sauce and back fat directly, without adding anything.
Stage 2 (第二獄): Add "鬼玉" once half is eaten. Add the special spice "鬼玉," which packs the tingle of sansho pepper and the richness of spicy miso. Dissolving it little by little adds a kick to the rich umami and changes the flavor completely.
Stage 3 (第三獄): Finish with the "Back Fat Onigiri." After the noodles are finished, drop the special back fat onigiri into the remaining soup. The aroma of nori seaweed and the richness of extra back fat complete an indulgent rice dish that lets diners enjoy the bowl down to the last drop.
Store Information
- Store Name: Gokumen (獄麺) Osaka Ekimae Dai-3 Building Branch
- Grand Opening: November 2, 2026 (Monday). The date is subject to change, as the shop has not yet opened.
- Address: B1F, Osaka Ekimae Dai-3 Building (大阪駅前第3ビル), 1-1-3 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 530-0001
- Access: 3-minute walk from Kitashinchi Station on the Tozai Line; 9-minute walk from Osaka Station (various lines)
- Hours: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM (subject to change, as the shop has not yet opened)
- Closed: Follows the building's closure days
