Simmered dishes are an essential part of the winter dining table in Japan, warming both body and soul. Now, the especially popular “Motsuni” (simmered offal) is making its debut in the form of a convenient steamed bun. The announcement that the “Gyu-Motsuni Man” (Beef Offal Steamed Bun), supervised by the beloved Hokuriku-based ramen chain “Hachiban Ramen,” will be sold exclusively at Lawson convenience stores in the Chubu region of Japan has caught the eye of food lovers everywhere.
Savor the Traditional Taste of Hachiban Ramen: The “Gyu-Motsuni Man” at Lawson
The star of the show is, without a doubt, the “Hachiban Ramen Supervised Gyu-Motsuni Man,” created in the first-ever collaboration between the ramen chain and Lawson.
This much-anticipated item was developed after it spectacularly won first place in a “Products We Want You to Sell” survey conducted by Lawson in the Hokuriku region. It recreates the beloved flavors of Hachiban Ramen’s long-standing winter specialty, “Gyu-Motsuni,” allowing customers to enjoy the pleasantly chewy texture of the beef offal and the rich, deep flavor of Kaga Miso, a traditional seasoning from Ishikawa Prefecture, in a hot steamed bun.
Among the variety of hot snacks available at the checkout counters of Japanese convenience stores, steamed buns are a winter staple. Adding the flavor of a famous regional specialty to this lineup is a very exciting event.
The “Gyu-Motsuni Man” goes on sale starting Tuesday, December 9, 2025, for 220 yen (238 yen including tax). Availability is limited to approximately 1,600 Lawson stores in the Chubu region (Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures), so be sure to look for it if you’re visiting the area.
Seasonal Winter Menu Debuts at Hachiban Ramen Restaurants Too
For those whose interest in “Hachiban Ramen” has been sparked by this collaboration, there’s more good news. The restaurants themselves are also kicking off their limited-time menu to announce the arrival of winter.
“Yasai Gyu-Motsuni Ramen”: A Winter Staple Loved for Over 30 Years
Launching on Monday, December 8, is the long-running bestseller, “Yasai Gyu-Motsuni Ramen” (Vegetable and Beef Offal Stew Ramen), a dish that has remained a winter menu king for over 30 years.
The rich umami of beef offal, slowly simmered in a special miso sauce, exquisitely combines with Hachiban Ramen’s signature stir-fried crisp vegetables and chewy, thick noodles. The beef offal’s flavor melts into the miso ramen broth base, creating a profound taste that deepens with every sip. It’s undoubtedly the perfect bowl for a cold Japanese winter.
It costs 920 yen (1,012 yen including tax). A slightly smaller size is also available for 870 yen (957 yen including tax).
Last Year’s Hit, “Gyu-Motsuni Karamen,” Makes a Comeback!
Then, starting Monday, December 22, the “Gyu-Motsuni Karamen,” a brothless “mazesoba” (mixed noodles) that debuted to great popularity last year, is making a comeback.
Based on the sauce of Hachiban Ramen’s popular “Karamen,” this dish is generously topped with the “Gyu-Motsuni” star. An appetizing special spice mix and the tartness of pickled bean sprouts serve as a refreshing accent, further elevating the deliciousness of the beef offal stew. The “mazesoba” style involves mixing the toppings and noodles well before eating. You might find its rich taste completely addictive.
A single-serving portion costs 920 yen (1,012 yen including tax), while a hearty double portion is available for 1,120 yen (1,232 yen including tax).
Find Your Ultimate Combo! Abundant Toppings Available
Part of the enjoyment at Hachiban Ramen lies in the ability to customize your dish just the way you like it.
For the “Yasai Gyu-Motsuni Ramen,” you can add an extra topping of “Gyu-Motsuni” (390 yen, 429 yen with tax). If you add the “Melting Cheese” (130 yen, 143 yen with tax), the umami of Gouda and the creaminess of mozzarella will melt into the miso broth, creating a milder, richer, Western-style flavor profile.
You can also get a value set with gyoza, a classic side dish at ramen restaurants across Japan. The standard “Hachiban Gyoza Set” is an additional 240 yen (264 yen with tax), while the punchy “Nira Ninniku Gyoza (Chive & Garlic Gyoza) Set” is an extra 270 yen (297 yen with tax).
These menu items are also available for takeout, allowing you to enjoy them slowly in the comfort of your home or hotel room.
What is “Hachiban Ramen”?
“Hachiban Ramen” is a ramen chain founded in 1967 along National Route 8 in Ishikawa Prefecture. It was named “Hachiban” (which means “Number 8”) in honor of this highway. Its signature dish since its inception is the “Yasai Ramen” (Vegetable Ramen), which is topped with a generous serving of stir-fried vegetables. This hearty and wholesome bowl of noodles quickly gained a following, and today, Hachiban Ramen has become a popular chain with 114 stores across Japan, centered in the Hokuriku region, and another 175 stores overseas in countries like Thailand and Vietnam.
This collaboration with Lawson is a fantastic opportunity for the flavors of a beloved local establishment to reach a much broader audience. Being able to get a taste of an authentic ramen shop at a convenience store, a ubiquitous part of daily life in Japan, is likely to be a pleasant surprise for international travelers as well.
If you have the chance to visit Japan this winter, how about searching for the “Gyu-Motsuni Man” in a Lawson in the Chubu region, or stopping by a “Hachiban Ramen” restaurant to enjoy a heartwarming bowl of noodles?
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