Japanese Devs Create Detailed Six-Player Ramen Shop Simulator: Food Digitized with Photogrammetry, Kitchen Defended with Shurikens

Japanese indie studio Wild Dog has announced a cooperative restaurant management simulator called Japanese Ramen Simulator. The game lets a group of up to six players fully immerse themselves in the intricacies of the Japanese culinary business, from hand-cutting ingredients and monitoring broth boiling to serving customers, washing dishes, and customizing the establishment.

The project will launch in Early Access on Steam in September 2026.

Real Culinary Processes and Photogrammetry

The developers approached the creation process with exceptional meticulousness. According to the official press release on PR Times, the team personally underwent training in making ramen at traditional Japanese establishments, recorded real sounds of frying and boiling in a professional kitchen, and brought key ingredients (including chashu pork) into the game using 3D scanning (photogrammetry).

The game features a comprehensive cooking system:

• Parameter control: players need to monitor the texture and doneness of the noodles, broth temperature, umami flavor intensity (Umami), and serving time.
• Topping physics: ingredients are placed in the bowl with physical simulation, so each dish looks unique.
• Expanded menu: in addition to signature ramen variations, you can fry gyoza, prepare meat donburi, and pour beer with the right foam height.

Shurikens Against Robbers and Critics

Despite the high level of kitchen detail, the simulator is not without humor and restaurant chaos in the spirit of Overcooked. Strict restaurant critics may suddenly show up, fires can break out in the kitchen, and thieves occasionally target the cash register. To handle these emergencies, players are allowed to use not only fire extinguishers but also throwing shurikens, and they can try to win back missing revenue at a local underground gambling den.

Customization includes free placement of furniture and equipment, as well as a My Design tool that lets you draw your own posters and traditional noren curtains. For solo play, hiring virtual assistants (NPCs) is available.

【最大6人マルチ】理想のラーメン店を目指す経営シミュレーションゲーム『Japanese Ramen Simulator』発表。リアルなラーメンが美味しそうhttps://t.co/xpP1IBm5fl

食材を仕込んで麺を茹で、トッピングを盛り付けてこだわりの一杯を作ろう。開発元は本作のためにラーメン作りを何度も経験する pic.twitter.com/DLbLBXh8po

— 電ファミニコゲーマー (@denfaminicogame) August 21, 2026

Wild Dog is already known for the casual hit Keep Digging, which has sold over 450,000 copies worldwide.