A New Ramen Shop Is Quietly Winning Over Millbrook's Lunch Crowd

MILLBROOK, June 3 — If you've driven past 408 Prescott Street lately and noticed a line snaking out the door around noon, you're not imagining things. Tanuki Noodle House, the city's first dedicated ramen restaurant, opened quietly in late April and has been quietly — then not so quietly — packing in crowds ever since. Owner and head chef Jin Kawamoto, a Millbrook native who trained for five years in Sapporo, Japan, says he never expected the response to be this fast. 'I thought we'd have a soft first few months,' he said with a laugh. 'I was wrong about that.'

What's on the Menu

Tanuki's menu is focused and deliberate — four broths, each simmered for a minimum of 18 hours, plus a rotating seasonal special that changes every two weeks. The tonkotsu is the clear crowd favorite, a rich, milky pork bone broth topped with chashu pork, soft-boiled marinated eggs, bamboo shoots, and nori. For vegetarians, the shio mushroom broth has drawn its own passionate fanbase. Bowls range from $11 to $15, with add-ons available for an extra dollar or two. 'I wanted this to be a place where anyone could come,' Kawamoto said. 'Good food doesn't have to mean expensive food.'

• Tonkotsu, shoyu, miso, and shio mushroom broths
• Rotating seasonal ramen special every two weeks
• House-made noodles, prepared fresh daily
• Craft Japanese-style soft drinks and imported beer selection
• Lunch hours: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Kawamoto confirmed that dinner service is coming — likely by late July — and he's already in conversation with the Millbrook Farmers Market about sourcing local produce for future menu additions. The restaurant seats just 34 people inside, with eight more at sidewalk tables, so arriving early is strongly advised. Tanuki Noodle House can be reached at (555) 204-8871, and no, they don't take reservations. Not yet, anyway.