RAMEN TATSU-YA DEBUTS TEXAS TONK FOR SUMMER

BBQ-Inspired Brisket Ramen Blending Texas Smoke with Japanese Soul

Available Starting Friday, June 27

TEXAS — Ramen Tatsu-ya, the nationally acclaimed ramen shop with six Austin locations (and a seventh landing this fall on The Drag), plus one in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood and another coming soon to Memorial City, is rolling out Texas Tonk for a limited time starting Friday, June 27.

Texas Tonk is a bold, brisket-loaded ramen that combines Japanese soul food with Texas BBQ in one unforgettable bowl.

This isn’t the first time brisket ramen has shown up on the menu. Over the years, different versions have sparked lines out the door. But the story goes all the way back to 2012, when a friend dropped off some leftover BBQ after service. The team tossed it into a bowl of shoyu ramen and it just clicked. Ever since, the chefs have been fine-tuning the balance of smoke, spice, and broth. Texas Tonk is the latest chapter in that journey.

“The main inspiration was to create a ramen that feels unique to Texas,” says Corporate Chef Takuya ‘Tako’ Matsumoto. “We wanted something that captures summer here—family cookouts, long days by the smoker, hanging out poolside, kicking back in a lawn chair. This is ramen made for BBQ season.”

The bowl features Ramen Tatsu-ya’s signature 60-hour pork bone broth, seasoned with smoked shoyu and finished with Thunder Oil—a rich blend of blackened garlic oil, chili oil, and toasted bonito mayu. Thin Hakata-style noodles bring a satisfying bite, while toppings include smoked brisket, smoked and pickled jalapeño, fermented takana mustard greens, negi, and a marinated ajitama egg.

“We’ve been tweaking this recipe for more than a decade,” says Chef and Founder Tatsu Aikawa. “I really dig how this version turned out.”

“The idea was to balance richness with brightness—like brisket with pickles and onions,” adds Chef Tako. “The pickled jalapeños are spicy, tangy, and crisp. The takana adds crunch and a bit of mustardy sourness. Everything works together to complement the meatiness and still remind you of where this ramen comes from.”

Rich, spicy, and savory, Texas Tonk is ramen for the heart of Texas. To round out the experience, ice-cold Big Red will be available in the shops as the perfect pairing. This limited-time bowl will be served dine-in only at all Austin and Houston Ramen Tatsu-ya locations starting Friday, June 27.