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2 minute read
Tokyo, Japan – Friday, December 12, 2025 | In a distinguished celebration of Japan’s dynamic ramen and mazesoba culture, Menya Kokoro from Ota, Tokyo, has secured the Mazesoba Grand Award at the Takumen Ramen Awards 2025.
The ceremony, hosted by Gourmet X Corporation, the operator of Japan’s leading ramen delivery and e-commerce platform takumen.com 宅麺.com, took place on Thursday, December 11, 2025, drawing top chefs, critics and culinary innovators from across the nation.
The Takumen Ramen Awards, now in its second year following the merger of Japan’s premier ramen accolades, highlight excellence across ramen, tsukemen and mazesoba categories. The awards are determined both by industry professionals and by performance metrics on takumen.com 宅麺.com, which has delivered over 5 million servings of authentic restaurant-grade ramen to homes nationwide.
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Japanese Chef & CEO Takuma Ishikawa (middle) receiving the Mazesoba Grand Award.
Menya Kokoro’s “Classic Mazesoba” earned the Mazesoba Grand Award for its bold and deeply satisfying interpretation of Taiwan Mazesoba, a dish that has roots in Nagoya but has rapidly captivated a national following. The award-winning bowl features ultra-thick, chewy noodles artfully blended with Menya Kokoro’s signature Taiwan mince — a spicy, aromatic mix of ground meat infused with chili peppers and garlic, delivering a rich umami punch that has won both critical acclaim and consumer devotion.
Ultra-thick, chewy noodles artfully blended with Menya Kokoro’s signature Taiwan mince.
Menya Kokoro has been a frequent standout in the mazesoba category of ramen competitions, but this year’s Grand Award marks a pinnacle achievement for the brand’s dedication to flavor authenticity and innovation.
In addition to the Mazesoba Grand Award, the Takumen Ramen Awards recognized excellence across multiple categories including Ramen, Tsukemen, and Inspiration Grand Awards, underscoring Japan’s richly diverse and continually evolving noodle landscape.
As Japan’s ramen culture continues to expand its global influence, accolades such as the Takumen Ramen Awards play a growing role in spotlighting regional specialties and elevating the profiles of standout shops like Menya Kokoro on the international culinary stage.
Australian diners can experience Japan’s #1 Mazesoba at Menya Kokoro, a destination recognised for its depth of flavour, comfort, and uncompromising authenticity. Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba is a place people come to eat, drink, and unwind — and return to — drawn by food executed with rare Japanese discipline and an unwavering respect for tradition. Meet here, savour the side dishes before a jazz concert, or simply relax over Japan’s #1 Mazesoba paired with a Japanese beer or sake.
About Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba
Address: 225 George Street, The Rocks, New South Wales 2000
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5:00–9:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5:00–10:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Phone: +61 468 328 661
Email: info@menyakokoro.com.au
Website: https://menyakokoro.com.au/aboutus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/menyakokoroau
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kokoro.sydney/
Vermilion Pinstripes Modern Marketing helps Menya Kokoro turn its award-winning Japanese credentials and distinctive mazesoba experience into greater brand recognition, stronger customer connection and sustained growth in the Australian market.
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