Not Your Typical Tourist

A Life Between Two Countries, And All In Between

Thailand

Tomita Ramen: Japan’s No. 1 Tsukemen Master Arrives at CentralwOrld, Bangkok!

CentralwOrld continues to be a magnet for top Japanese imports, and my latest discovery is Tomita Ramen—hailed as the No. 1 tsukemen and No. 1 Ramen master in Japan! The opening of the CentralwOrld branch (soft-opened October 30, 2025, with a grand opening on October 31st) marks a major international expansion for the brand. Thailand truly is spoiled for choice!

The captain of this legendary ramen ship, Osama Tomita (Tomita-san), enjoys rock star-like status in Japan, a reputation that has only grown overseas following the international release of the documentary “Ramenheads.”

Tsukemen (dipping noodles) is one of my favorite forms of ramen, as it allows the noodles to retain their perfect bite while using an intensely flavorful broth as a rich “dip.” Having been introduced to the art by Menya Itto (said to be more chicken-forward), I was ready for Tomita’s renowned complexity.


The Signature Bowl: Tonkotsu Gyokai Tsukemen

Avoiding the peak lunch hour, I visited solo one weekday at 3:00 PM, and the restaurant remained consistently busy throughout my hour-long stay.

Tomita Ramen’s famous signature is the Tonkotsu Gyokai ((豚骨魚介)) Tsukemen. The name itself refers to a popular broth style that combines pork bone (tonkotsu) and seafood (gyokai). Gyokai (魚介) means fish and shellfish.

The Broth Breakdown

This dipping broth is a powerful, rich, and complex blend:

  • The Base: A thick, velvety Tonkotsu Gyokai broth, built on deep umami from simmered pork bones, dried mackerel, sodabushi (frigate tuna), dried sardines (niboshi), and bonito flakes.
  • The Finish: This extreme richness is beautifully balanced by a bright yuzu citrus zing and a touch of tougarashi (chili pepper) spice.
  • The Noodles: Paired with chewy, handmade noodles, which are made from top-grade Japanese wheat and whole grain flour (including tokot o-fun). They act like a perfect magnet for the savory broth with a tinge of citrus from the yuzu.

It immediately claimed the spot as my new number one favorite tsukemen.

💰 Menu Options & Pricing

ItemSizesPrice (M) (150g)Price (L)Price (XL)
Tonkotsu Gyokai Tsukemen (w/ Chashu)M, L, XL360 Baht420 Baht450 Baht
Tsukemen (w/ Chashu & Ajitama)M, L, XL420 Baht460 Baht490 Baht
Premium Tsukemen (w/ Ajitama & Premium Pork)M, L, XL520 Baht560 Baht590 Baht

Refillable green tea is available for 45 Baht.

Customization & Other Offerings

  • Add-ons: The restaurant offers add-on options like Yuzu Peel (50 Baht) and Fish Powder (50 Baht).
    • My Take: While I personally think Japanese dishes achieve a delicate balance perfected by the chef, offering these add-ons is a smart move for the Thai market, which tends to favor customization!
  • Tori Paitan Ramen: The creamy, smooth chicken-based Tori Paitan Ramen is also popular. I heard that in Japan, not all branches serve both the tsukemen and Tori Paitan; you often have to go to a specific branch for one or the other. This makes the CentralwOrld branch a great one-stop destination!
  • Perks: The staff encouraged a Google Review for a free scoop of Matcha Ice Cream (normally 60 Baht). They also offer a loyalty program.

📍 Visit Details & Logistics

  • Location: Floor 3, Nippon Avenue Zone, CentralwOrld (near Katsu Midori).
  • Getting a Queue Number: You can grab a queue number via the QueQ app, although I simply walked in during off-peak hours.
  • Holiday Hours (Dec 12 – Dec 30): Operating hours are extended from 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM (10:00 AM – midnight on Dec 31st for NYE countdown!).
ContactInformation
Address1st Floor, Nippon Avenue Zone, CentralwOrld, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Phone095 897 5914
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/tomitaramen/
Japan Websitehttps://tomita-license.jp/en/

Not Your Typical Tourist

A passionate advocate for independent and solo travel, I traded life in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the vibrant streets of Bangkok, Thailand. This shift is all thanks to a "chance encounter" in 2009 that led to marriage with my Thai husband. I currently split my time between Bangkok (my main base) and Kuala Lumpur for family—documenting the unique blend of a Malaysian life lived abroad.