【Onsen Shokudo】The rustic and authentic "ramen" at "Bonten Restaurant" in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture is delicious

The author is not good at dining in crowded restaurants. I really enjoy eating in a dining hall attached to a day-use hot spring because it allows for a relaxed meal without feeling cramped. On this day, I aimed for "Bonten Restaurant" located in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. It's a dining hall that not only offers Japanese cuisine but also has an extensive menu of Chinese dishes.

To Imazato-cho, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, where "Bonten Restaurant" is located.

I am heading to the dining hall "Bonten Restaurant" located at the hot spring facility "Bonten no Yu" in Imazato Town, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. Running under the elevated railway where the Shinkansen passes through, I made my way toward the site through the peaceful rural landscape.

The Brahma restaurant and hot springs are separated within the facility, and it is also possible to use just the dining area. It gives the impression of being a beloved local eatery, as on this day it was bustling with many customers of various ages.

The cost to use the hot springs is a reasonable 650 yen for adults. In addition to the appealing open-air baths and spacious indoor baths, there are also private rental baths that can be enjoyed in a room, making it possible to have fun all day long.

The break room was spacious, and I saw many people relaxing on tatami mats. The sense of relaxation was wonderful, and if I lived nearby, I would definitely find myself coming here often. After entering, I was looking around for the restroom, and a staff member kindly guided me, which made me feel their warm consideration.

The seating in the cafeteria is spacious, allowing even solo diners to relax.

The menu at Banten Restaurant features not only the popular tempura rice bowl made with local vegetables but also classic Japanese dishes like soba, and it is impressive to see a wide selection of Chinese-inspired options. Since the information I researched in advance highly rated the Chinese noodles, I decided to order the basic ramen (650 yen). By the way, there is a spacious layout between the tables, and the counter seats are plentiful. It seems that solo diners can relax and enjoy their meals comfortably.

Simple yet authentic ramen is absolutely spot on.

The ramen comes with a large slice of chashu and is topped with nori, presenting a visual that truly embodies "ramen." The broth, fragrant with lard, also feels just right. Let's dig in right away.

The twisted noodles intertwine with the rich, simple soup, creating a deliciousness that makes you nod in approval. A regular-looking customer who entered afterward also ordered ramen, confirming that this choice was indeed the right one after much deliberation.

The perfectly thick slices of chashu were outstanding again. They were tender and not overly rich, making me think that chashu ramen would have been nice as well.

I was very satisfied with the carefully crafted ramen that had a homemade feel. Thank you for the meal.

I bought bamboo shoots from the spring flavors lined up at the direct sales agricultural product store

While vegetables were also being sold at the hot spring and dining hall buildings, I decided to check out the nearby direct sales agricultural product store. True to Tochigi, they had strawberries called "Tochi Aika," as well as freshly harvested vegetables and mountain plants on display.

I couldn't resist buying my favorite bamboo shoots, which were sold with the skin for 300 yen. Both the hot spring and the meals were reasonably priced, allowing me to enjoy them very affordably. If you're visiting Utsunomiya or Nikko, I highly recommend checking it out.

Facility Name: Bonten Restaurant
Location: 18-4 Imaizato-cho, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture
TEL (Bonten no Yu): 028-674-8963
Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Last Order: Weekdays 7:30 PM, Weekend and Holidays 8:00 PM)

Interview and text by Kazuma Tanaka

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