ZEN LABORATORY
ZEN LABORATORY
Overview
A stylish ramen shop located approximately 3 minutes' walk from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station, near 'Kappa Yokocho'. It has been selected as one of the 'Ramen OSAKA Hyakumeiten 2025' (Top 100 Ramen Shops in Osaka for 2025). The signature menu item is the 'Shiro Shoyu Chuka Soba' (White Soy Sauce Chinese Soba), a clear and translucent soup made with Nagoya Cochin dashi and white soy sauce (from ¥900, Extreme ¥1,390). This elegant and luxurious bowl features three types of chashu, shrimp wontons, a soft-boiled seasoned egg, and more. In addition to the signature dish, you can enjoy a daily changing lineup, including Katsuobushi Konbu-sui Tsukemen (bonito and kelp dipping noodles) and 'Zenjiro,' a Jiro-kei style ramen available only on Mondays and Wednesdays. The interior is impressive with its metallic and neon-lit decor, making it popular among female customers and international tourists. As the shop has irregular holidays, please check their official X account (https) before visiting.
How to Order
(Check the official account below in advance for irregular closures and updates)
Official SNS：https://www.instagram.com/zen_laboratory_8/
1Before entering
A street-level shop located in Kappa Yokocho under the Hankyu elevated railway line, a 2-3 minute walk from Hankyu Umeda Station Chayamachi Exit. Business operates in two shifts (11:00-15:00 / 18:00-23:00), and irregular closing days (advance confirmation recommended via official SNS). The shop tends to be full around 12:00 PM on weekdays and during weekend lunchtimes, but when a queue starts to form, it usually takes about 10 minutes of waiting outside to get a seat. On some Mondays and Wednesdays, the menu switches from the usual Shiro Shoyu Chuka Soba to Jiro-style "Zen Jiro" menu, so it's advisable to check Instagram for business content in advance if you have a specific menu in mind.
2Purchasing meal tickets and ordering
Purchase meal tickets at the ticket machine near the entrance. While there are photos, there are no English displays, so foreign customers will need to show the screen to a staff member and consult. Signature dishes are Shiro Shoyu Chuka Soba (990 yen), Shiro Shoyu Chuka Soba Kiwami (1,390 yen), Katsuobushi Konbu-sui Tsukemen, and the Monday/Wednesday limited Zen Jiro (Jiro-style soup-less noodles). If you choose Zen Jiro, when handing the ticket to the staff, you verbally specify the amount of "ヤサイ (yasai, vegetables)", "ニンニク (ninniku, garlic)", and "アブラ (abura, back fat)". If you want all regular portions, you say "Sono mama de" (as is). Payment is accepted via cash, electronic money, and QR code payment (PayPay, Alipay), but credit cards are not accepted.
3Seating and receiving your order
A total of 17 seats: a U-shaped counter with 9 seats and 4 tables for 4 people each. Staff will guide you to your seat, and you hand over your meal ticket. It takes about 5 minutes until your order is served. The interior features a metallic design primarily of stainless steel, creating a clean and sharp space, which is unusual for a ramen shop.
4Other
For Shiro Shoyu Chuka Soba, you can change the flavor with table salt (moshio). For Katsuobushi Konbu-sui Tsukemen, the standard way to eat it is in three stages: first, enjoy the noodles with moshio only, then moshio + wasabi, and finally with the dipping broth. For Zen Jiro, the noodles are thick and chewy ("washi-washi"), and the garlic is raw, so if you have plans for the next day, it's safer to choose "ニンニクなし (ninniku nashi, no garlic)".
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Seating
Tables seat up to ~4 people. Groups of 5+ will need multiple tables and may wait longer than usual.
Open Map
Voices
夜営業は初訪問です😆
— す〜さん！ 𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝘿𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙠𝙞 𝙉𝙤.𝟏🍜 (@ramendaisukino1) October 31, 2025
阪急梅田『ZEN LABORATORY』さん🍜
白醤油中華そば 極
二月以来の再訪は、開業時に注文したデフォメニュー‼️
やっぱり美味しいです👍
ベースの地鶏スープに魚介の旨味をあわせた醤油ダレが良い効果で、つるんとした麺も素敵です💯#ZENLABORATORY#善LABORATORY#阪急梅田 pic.twitter.com/SUXpfNsPr2
#備忘録
— ぶっちー (@n0B75QITk1gMWmJ) December 6, 2024
🏯関西編
梅田 ZEN LABORATORYさん
白醤油中華そば極 pic.twitter.com/FH1WoOVlQO
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Business Hours
Crowd Calendar
| Lunch | Afternoon | Dinner | Late night | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | No waitRef. | - | No waitRef. | - |
| Weekend | Up to 15 minRef. | - | - | - |
* Dashed cells = reference data from past visit examples (replaced once enough reviews arrive)
Dietary Notes
No dietary data yet
This information is based on user reports and is not official information from the shop. Cross-contamination in the cooking environment cannot be guaranteed. If you have severe allergies, please confirm directly with the shop.
Animal-free menu available
Reports received (1)
No MSG
Reports received (1)
Gluten-free menu available
Reports received (1)
Halal options available
Reports received (1)
Dietary information is verified through blind consensus. Reports become public when 3 or more independent users agree.
Ingredients & Allergens
Allergen info coming soon
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