Wild Dog has released the Early Access version of "Japanese Ramen Simulator" for PC (Steam).
An Early Access version where you can experience every aspect of running a ramen shop, from preparation to serving customers
This game is a chaotic ramen shop management simulation that supports up to 10 players (6 recommended).
Players tackle the various tasks of running a ramen shop—from preparing ingredients and cooking to serving customers and cleaning up—while occasionally facing formidable opponents like critics and even thieves. Sudden fires may break out, forcing you to use items like shuriken and fire extinguishers to resolve problems at the shop.
The Early Access version includes the basic elements necessary for running a ramen shop, such as preparing ingredients, cooking ramen and gyoza, serving beer, serving customers, and customizing the shop layout. You can divide tasks with friends in online co-op play for up to 6 players, or hire part-time staff to run the shop on your own.
The game also supports developing original menus, arranging toppings using physics-based simulation, and customizing shop designs.
The “My Design” feature lets you use your own drawings on posters, shop curtains, ramen bowls, and more. In addition to clothing, body types, and emotes, you can also customize actions like draining the noodles.
Although the Early Access period is scheduled to last approximately six months, this may change depending on development progress and player feedback. During this period, the developers plan to continue improving the game system and adding new content, while also implementing improvements based on community feedback between major updates.
The price of the base game is scheduled to increase in stages as major content is added and the official release approaches. Players who purchase the game during the Early Access period will not be charged any additional fees due to future price adjustments.
The game is being developed by Wild Dog, an indie studio that sold 450,000 copies worldwide with its previous title, *Keep Digging*, in which up to eight players continuously dig a tunnel aiming to reach a depth of 1,000 meters underground.
Although the game was originally scheduled for release on September 28 at 9:00 a.m., its launch was delayed due to Steam’s pre-release review process. On October 2, the studio reported that it was still awaiting the results of the Steam review and held its fourth closed beta test.
Then, on October 6, they announced that Early Access would begin on October 9 at 5:00 PM, and by that point, the number of wishlist entries had surpassed 200,000.
Although this title had been delayed, the developers reportedly used that time to prepare a Day 1 patch. The patch includes 56 minor updates, such as the addition of dan dan noodles and the new ingredient “Chinese chives.”
Day 1 Patch Contents
Added dan dan noodles and the new ingredient “garlic chives”
Added a “Dishwashing” part-time job: You can now delegate the collection and washing of dishes and serving trays, making it easier to run the restaurant on your own. More part-time job types are planned for the future.
Improved Cooking and Shop Management: We’ve fixed the cutting board, added the ability to carry multiple dishes and sauces at once, improved the maneuverability of carts, and enhanced the grid display and placement during construction.
For more details on this update, please check the Steam News.
Furthermore, the development team visited various ramen shops to experience the cooking process firsthand before incorporating those details into the game. The game is characterized by its meticulous attention to realism, including the recording of cooking sounds and the creation of a 3D model of the chashu using photogrammetry.
Additionally, the in-game music for this title was composed by Tatsuya Yano, known for his work on *Palworld* and other titles.
“Japanese Ramen Simulator” is currently available in Early Access for PC (Steam). The price is 1,900 yen, but as part of a launch sale, it can be purchased for 1,615 yen—a 15% discount.
