A Fancy Ramen Experience at Minamo みなも Japanese Ramen Noodles

I love ramen.
Yeah, shockingly.

I used to not like it at all… I know, scandalous for a self-proclaimed foodie. But then my partner slowly introduced me to the good stuff. Bowl by bowl, he converted me and now ramen has become one of my ultimate comfort foods. As someone who loves soupy dishes, it ticks all the boxes: warm, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.

I’ve tried my fair share of ramen spots in town, and this time, it was finally Minamo’s turn to wow me. My partner had been talking about this place for a month. Fast forward to this week, we were in Kuala Lumpur, not far from the restaurant. It was 5:00 PM, and Minamo doesn’t open until 6:00 PM—so we decided to go early and wait until it opened. We drove there, secretly thrilled at the idea of being the first customers through the door.

That dream, however, was short-lived.

When we arrived, we weren’t alone. Even at 5:30 PM, a group of people was already waiting. Within five minutes before the restaurant open, the line doubled. Thankfully, we’d waited right at the front and not in the car. If not, we might have been stuck waiting for a table.

✅ What is Minamo Japanese Ramen Noodles All About?

Minamo みなも isn’t just another ramen shop—it’s the brainchild of Chef Miyazaki, whose culinary expertise has earned him a Bib Gourmand recognition in the Michelin Guide Japan. Together with his team, he brought this craft to Malaysia, serving authentic Tokyo-style ramen that stays true to its roots.

While the restaurant doesn’t hold a Michelin star (those are rare and highly coveted), earning a spot in the Michelin Guide is still a major badge of honor. It’s a stamp of approval that signifies exceptional food quality, consistency, and an overall dining experience worth seeking out.

Minamo’s philosophy is all about authenticity. Every element is prepared in-house, from the slow-simmered chicken-based broths to the tender slices of chicken. The menu is intentionally compact yet thoughtfully curated, focusing on a select few ramen varieties done exceptionally well instead of overwhelming you with choices.

It’s also worth noting that Minamo is pork-free, with every broth crafted exclusively from chicken—making it a welcoming choice for a wider range of diners without compromising on depth of flavor.

📍 Location and Vibe

Minamo is located in Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, in shop lot number 38-G Jalan 24/70a—easy enough to find once you know the address, but still a hidden gem for those who haven’t heard of it. Parking here can be a little tricky, with limited spaces and plenty of cars looping around. You might need to park a short walk away, though we were lucky enough to find a spot right in front of the shop lot that day.

From the outside, Minamo already gives off a warm and inviting feel, but it’s the moment you step inside that the real charm begins. The lighting is soft and welcoming, the seating cozy, and the Japanese-inspired décor instantly sets the tone. We were seated at the noodle bar, giving us a clear view of the kitchen—a front-row seat to watch the chefs move with speed, precision, and effortless teamwork.

The restaurant was already full the moment it opened, with some customers waiting outside for their turn to be seated—a clear sign of just how popular Minamo is. Inside, lively conversations from diners blended with the swift movements of the staff and the clinking of bowls as they prepared each dish, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. I couldn’t help but feel excited.

✅ The Menu & What We Ordered

At Minamo, the menu is all about Japanese cuisine with ramen as the star—but each bowl feels like its own little universe. There are four main broth styles to choose from:

Shiro – creamy and extra rich broth
Shoyu – light, clear soy sauce broth
Tsuke Men – dry noodles with dipping broth
Kinoko – creamy mushroom broth

Before ordering, we were given an impressively detailed specification and FAQ sheet. And when I say detailed, I mean really detailed—we’re talking about pH 7.6 water, noodles cut to exactly 300mm x 1.3mm (or 1.5mm if hand-pulled), and even notes on cooking methods. It’s the kind of obsessive precision that makes you think, Okay, these people really care about their ramen.

🍜 My Order: Kinoko Ramen

I usually go for Shoyu when I eat ramen. It’s my safe choice, reliable and familiar. However, that day, the Kinoko’s description caught my eye; a creamy mushroom broth simply I couldn’t resist.

The Kinoko Ramen came in a beautifully presented bowl—steaming, aromatic, and artfully arranged. The broth was luxuriously creamy, with a deep, earthy mushroom flavor that managed to be both comforting and indulgent. On top sat a generous serving of sautéed mushrooms, tender slices of chicken, melted cheese, and fresh greens, all tied together with a swirl of richness.

I fell in love from the very first sip of broth. The mushroom flavor was bold yet balanced, and I appreciated the attention to detail in crafting the taste—savoring it before all the toppings blended in, and again after, when the cheese melted and added a new layer of richness.

I’m not usually one for creamy dishes because they can feel heavy quickly, and yes, halfway through I had to hand my bowl over to my partner. But it wasn’t from lack of enjoyment—it was so rich and satisfying that my stomach waved the white flag long before my taste buds were ready to stop.

🍜 My Partner’s Order: Shiro Ramen

The Shiro Ramen was lighter than my Kinoko, yet still creamy and indulgent in its own way. The broth was rich with a clean chicken flavor—comforting and familiar. Unlike the Kinoko, it arrived steaming hot but completely unadorned, and that’s exactly what I love about Minamo’s approach. The ramen is served intentionally plain at first, with three condiments on the side: a perfectly soft half-boiled egg, crisp sheets of seaweed, and tender slices of chicken.

Chef Miyazaki encourages diners to taste the broth on its own first, before gradually adding toppings and seasonings one by one.

This method turns eating into a little flavor journey. The first sip of the pure broth is light yet flavorful, allowing you to appreciate its natural balance. Then, as you add the egg, seaweed, and chicken, the taste evolves becoming richer, slightly saltier, and more complex with each addition. It’s like watching the dish slowly bloom in front of you.

💡One detail I absolutely adore about this restaurant is that every bowl comes with a small paper guide on how to properly enjoy your ramen. It’s such a thoughtful, personal touch, especially for first-time diners, and it adds to the sense that you’re here for more than just a meal—it feels like you’re participating in a well-crafted culinary experience.

✅ How Much Does It Cost?

Minamo sits comfortably in the mid-to-premium ramen price range, with bowls averaging between RM 30 – RM 38. At first glance, it might seem a little more expensive than your typical ramen restaurant, but when you consider its Michelin Guide recognition, the quality of ingredients, and the level of craftsmanship that goes into each bowl, the value becomes clear.

Here, you’re not just paying for a meal—you’re paying for the precision of a chef who has perfected his craft, the welcoming atmosphere that transports you straight to Japan, and the kind of attention to detail you rarely find elsewhere.

Considering how quickly the seats fill up within minutes of opening, it’s clear that many diners see Minamo as a destination worth the wait. The money you spend here doesn’t just buy you ramen, it buys you an experience. One where craft, atmosphere, and taste all come together in a way that lingers long after the last sip of broth.

Final Thoughts

Would I come again?
Absolutely. Without a doubt.

Minamo delivers on every level; the food, the service, the atmosphere. The ramen was not just delicious, it felt crafted with intention. The vibe struck a perfect balance between lively and intimate, and every little detail, from the way the broth is served to the written ramen guide, showed exactly why Minamo has earned a spot in the Michelin Guide.

If you love ramen, you owe it to yourself to try Minamo at least once. And if you’re “not a ramen person” yet… well, I used to be like you. Give it time, and maybe a good bowl from Minamo will change your mind too.

Until my next ramen,
Xx, Auri

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