Maskay guide

Where to try Beppu reimen: Rokusei Matsubara or Beppu Reimen Ichiban?

Two Beppu shops serve cold noodles with different broths and rhythms; compare recipes, access and hours before heading out.

Maskay editorial team Updated
Beppu is known for steam rising between its homes, but the city has a less visible food signature: cold noodles called Beppu reimen. The local tourism association traces their origin to around 1950, when people returning from Manchuria adapted Korean-rooted cold noodles to a Japanese-style broth. The local bowl often combines firm noodles, clear broth, beef and cabbage kimchi. It is not the same as Morioka reimen: sharing a name does not erase differences in recipe and tradition. Rokusei Matsubara Main Shop has its own premises in Matsubara and treats the dish as a speciality. A blend of wheat, starch and buckwheat gives the noodles a firm bite; broth and kimchi complete a restrained bowl that keeps the noodles at the centre. The business opened in 2001 and has built a following that draws diners from other prefectures. Recent comments praise noodle texture and the broth’s balance, although some are less positive about service and certain sides. Beppu Reimen Ichiban is closer to the station and offers a neighbourhood setting in Chuocho. Founded in 1985 as Ramen Tei Ichiban, it adopted its current name in 2021 to highlight the cold noodle dish. Its buckwheat noodles are made after an order comes in; the broth brings together beef and bonito, while kimchi adds a pronounced tang. Reviews often praise the texture and welcoming staff, although some visitors say the portion or flavour did not match their expectations. The shop also keeps other ramen options on the menu. The route matters: Ichiban is about a five-minute walk from JR Beppu, while Rokusei lies farther south and involves a walk from Higashi-Beppu or roughly fifteen minutes from the main station. Published hours for Rokusei do not consistently reflect a change announced for October, so verify by phone or Instagram. Ichiban serves lunch and may close when noodles run out. Choose Rokusei for a specialist’s own recipe; choose Ichiban for a meal near the train before moving on. At either shop, arrive early so a broth or noodle sell-out does not derail the plan.

Profiles of the recommended places: Rokusei Matsubara Main Shop · Beppu Reimen Ichiban

Bottom line

Rokusei offers a specialist’s recipe, while Ichiban combines the local dish with an easier station location. Verify Rokusei’s hours and avoid arriving late at Ichiban, where service may end when noodles run out.

Editorial selection

Options to compare

These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.

01
Beppu cold-noodle restaurant

Rokusei Matsubara Main Shop

7-17 Matsubaracho, Beppu, Oita 874-0946, Japan

3.9 /5 1,275 reviews

Rokusei brings the craft of cold noodles to Matsubara, south of Beppu’s hot-spring centre. The shop opened in 2001 and describes its recipe as part of a local tradition: the city’s tourism account traces Beppu reimen to around 1950, when Japanese returnees from Manchuria adapted Korean-rooted cold n

Why it made the selection

Wheat, starch and buckwheat noodles with Japanese-style broth, cabbage kimchi and beef.

Hours: Official pages still show lunch and dinner sessions, but a September notice reportedly changed hours from October. Confirm by phone or Instagram; broth may run out. Verified: October 12, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
02
Noodle and ramen restaurant

Beppu Reimen Ichiban

8-31 Chuomachi, Beppu, Oita 874-0936, Japan

4.3 /5 599 reviews

Beppu Reimen Ichiban is in Chuocho, south of the station, on streets where the hot-spring city slips back into everyday life. The business began in 1985 as Ramen Tei Ichiban and adopted its current name in July 2021 to put local cold noodles at the forefront. That is more than a tourist label: it ex

Why it made the selection

Round noodles made to order with buckwheat, beef-and-bonito broth and tangy cabbage kimchi.

Hours: 11:00 am–3:00 pm; closed Sundays and some irregular days. Service may end when noodles run out; check its social channels before visiting. Verified: October 12, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

  1. Official website of Rokusei Matsubara Main Shop ↗ Primary source Rokusei · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  2. Official website of Rokusei Matsubara Main Shop ↗ Primary source Beppu Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  3. Official website of Rokusei Matsubara Main Shop ↗ Primary source Konomachi Note · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  4. Official website of Rokusei Matsubara Main Shop ↗ Primary source Rokusei · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  5. Official website of Beppu Reimen Ichiban ↗ Primary source Beppu Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  6. Official website of Beppu Reimen Ichiban ↗ Primary source Beppu Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  7. Official website ↗ Primary source Beppu Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  8. Official website ↗ Primary source Beppu Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  9. Google Maps rating for exact Matsubara main shop ↗ Secondary source Furunavi Travel · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Page states its rating reflects Google Maps; exact shop snapshot dated 2026-10-01: 3.9/5, 1,275 reviews.

  10. Google rating for exact Beppu Reimen Ichiban ↗ Secondary source Restaurant Guru · Accessed October 12, 2026

    Google 4.3/5 and 599 reviews shown for the 8-31 Chuomachi shop; page last updated about two months before 2026-10-12.

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