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    ZEN LABORATORY

    善ラボラトリー

    Top 1% in Japan
    · 500+ ratings
    Shop Photo

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    Ground Intel & Counter Rules

    Queue Protocol

    Line Up First

    Join the line outside. Staff will direct you inside to buy your ticket when seats open up.

    Payment Acceptance
    ¥1,000 Notes Only

    The ticket machine rejects ¥10,000 and ¥5,000 notes. Break large notes at a convenience store before arriving.

    Typical Wait

    Usually under 15 minutes

    Peak rush runs 11:45 to 13:15 on weekdays. Arrive 15 minutes before opening for shorter waits.

    Best for

    ZEN LABORATORY stands on a quiet street in Shibata north of Hankyu Umeda Station. The kitchen, supervised by Osaka ramen institution Chuka Soba Mugen, brews its clear soup from whole chickens without bony chicken carcasses, blended with white soy sauce and dried bonito. Cold kelp-water tsukemen is also a house standard.

    Order This

    白醤油中華そば (White shoyu chuka soba made from whole chickens and seafood dashi)

    shoyu
    chicken chintan
    white shoyu
    straight
    flat
    ¥1,000-¥1,500

    Good to know & entry protocol

    Buy your meal voucher from the ticket vending machine beside the stainless steel counter. If ordering the kelp water tsukemen, sample the first strand of noodles seasoned solely with mineral salt.

    Operational note: Experimental multi-broth ramen laboratory near Hankyu Umeda Station. Posts daily soup stock availability, opening hours, and irregular holidays on both accounts.
    Live announcements:𝕏@zen_laboratory_8@zen_laboratory_8
    Kids welcome

    Location

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    大阪府大阪市北区芝田1-11-5

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    What to expect

    Noodles

    straight
    flat

    Broth

    shoyu
    chicken chintan
    white shoyu

    Typical price

    ¥1,000-¥1,500

    Convert with YenPocket →

    Recommended order

    白醤油中華そば (White shoyu chuka soba made from whole chickens and seafood dashi)

    食券

    Ticket Machine Button & Price Map

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    Getting there

    大阪府大阪市北区芝田1-11-5

    3 min from Osaka-Umeda Station

    Hankyu Kyoto Main Line, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, JR Tokaido Main Line

    Hours

    11:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00

    Closed: Irregular

    Queue & entry protocol

    Buy your meal voucher from the ticket vending machine beside the stainless steel counter. If ordering the kelp water tsukemen, sample the first strand of noodles seasoned solely with mineral salt.

    Ticketing & operational notice: Experimental multi-broth ramen laboratory near Hankyu Umeda Station. Posts daily soup stock availability, opening hours, and irregular holidays on both accounts.

    Check official accounts before heading over for unscheduled closures or early soup cutoffs:

    𝕏@zen_laboratory_8@zen_laboratory_8

    How to Order
    Native Japanese audio

    This shop likely uses a ticket machine (食券機 / kenbaiki). Buy your ticket before sitting down.

    Order your bowl

    これをください

    Kore o kudasai (This one, please)

    Customise your noodles
    麺かためでMen katame de (firm noodles)
    麺やわらかめでMen yawarakame de (soft noodles)
    替え玉くださいKaedama kudasai (extra noodles)
    Useful phrases
    おいしい！Oishii! — Delicious!
    お会計お願いしますOkaikei onegai shimasu — Check, please
    ごちそうさまでしたGochisousama deshita — Thank you for the meal (said when leaving)
    大盛りでOomori de — Large portion, please
    少なめでSukuname de — Smaller portion, please

    Allergy card

    Select your restrictions. Show the generated card to restaurant staff.

    Need spoken Japanese audio and offline dietary cards?Japan Food Allergy & Celiac App →

    Questions about ZEN LABORATORY

    What is the nearest station to ZEN LABORATORY?
    Osaka-Umeda Station, about a 3-minute walk away. Osaka-Umeda Station is served by Hankyu Kyoto Main Line, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and JR Tokaido Main Line.
    What should I order at ZEN LABORATORY?
    白醤油中華そば (White shoyu chuka soba made from whole chickens and seafood dashi). The kitchen works in chicken chintan. Noodles: straight and flat.
    How much does ramen cost at ZEN LABORATORY?
    A bowl runs ¥1,000-¥1,500.
    When is ZEN LABORATORY open?
    11:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00 Closed Irregular.
    What should I know before visiting ZEN LABORATORY?
    Children are welcome.
    Do I line up first or buy a ticket first at ZEN LABORATORY?
    Join the queue outside. Staff will invite you inside to sit and order at the counter.
    What payment methods does ZEN LABORATORY accept?
    Cash is recommended. Keep ¥1,000 notes ready for the ticket machine.