【Local gourmet】 Pork cutlet on top of miso ramen! I visited the popular "Buntaro" loved by locals

Kochi Prefecture, also the setting of the morning drama "Anpan" (NHK). Among various specialties such as bonito tataki, bun tan, and imo kenpi, I visited the local ramen chain "Buntaro," popular among locals. Their specialty is the hearty miso ramen topped with a generous pork cutlet over a rich miso soup.

Kochi's hidden specialty, miso katsu ramen, tasted

When asked about ramen in Kochi, the first name that comes up is "Buntaro." The first store opened in 1967, and it has been loved by locals for over half a century.

Interestingly, even though it is a chain, the taste and menu vary from store to store. The only things standardized are the ingredients and prices for miso, shio, shoyu ramen, and gyoza. Other toppings and set menus are left to the discretion of each store.

The author, born and raised in Kochi, came to enjoy the nostalgic taste.

This time, I visited the Buntaro Takaoka branch in Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture. It is about a 25-minute drive from the center of Kochi City, and access is relatively good. As indicated by the first character of the sign being "okonomiyaki," there are seats with iron plates inside, and some customers are also here to enjoy okonomiyaki.

Yes, this rich menu is the best. This time, I ordered the half-chahan set with miso katsu ramen. By the way, when I go to Buntaro, it's customary to nibble on oden while waiting for the ramen to be ready. It’s a self-service system where you take what you want and declare the cost yourself.

The thickness of the katsu also varies by store

About 10 minutes later, the ramen set arrives. It comes with a salad for 1620 yen.

Half chahan...? The volume is so substantial it raises some doubts, but it is fluffy and gets absorbed into the stomach like a drink. Just when I think it’s kicked up with pepper, there's the gentle sweetness of the locally made kamaboko "sumaki." Eating it together with the fukujinzuke topping enhances the deliciousness of the chahan.

Now, the star of the show, miso katsu ramen. The katsu at Buntaro varies in thickness and cut from store to store, but the Takaoka branch offers a thinner meat with a crunchy texture. The soup seeps in, allowing you to enjoy the richness of the miso and the harmony of the pork fat. Ah, bliss...

By the way, this menu originated from the idea of putting the katsu from their popular "katsu set meal" during the days of the restaurant that preceded the ramen shop into ramen.

Unusually for a ramen shop, they also offer a proper children's set comparable to a family restaurant. This is one of the reasons why it is loved by locals. During family discussions on holidays, it becomes "Where should we go for dinner today?" "Let's go to Buntaro."

By the way, this Buntaro is also located just 10 minutes by car from the tourist spot "Kami City Anpanman Museum" (Buntaro Miyano Kuchi Branch). How about trying the local ramen while sightseeing in Kochi?

Store Name / Buntaro Takaoka Branch
Location / 738-1 Takaoka-cho, Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture
Business hours / 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM (Last Order 9:00 PM)
Closed / Thursdays

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【Local gourmet】 Pork cutlet on top of miso ramen! I visited the popular "Buntaro" loved by locals

Kochi's hidden specialty, miso katsu ramen, tasted

The thickness of the katsu also varies by store

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