In one of the most delightful crossovers in recent hobby news, a small ramen shop in Sakusabe, Chiba Prefecture, has signed a contract with Games Workshop and is now an official Warhammer retailer. Mendokoro Maruwa will sell Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer: Age of Sigmar miniatures, Citadel paints, and hobby tools right next to its signature noodle dishes.
The owner announced the news on X (formerly Twitter) with visible excitement, declaring it “probably the first in the world” for a ramen restaurant to become an official retailer. “Once I got hooked on Warhammer, even though I’m a ramen shop, I ended up signing a contract with Games Workshop!” they wrote. “Menya Maruwa has become an official Warhammer retailer lol. I’m a total beginner, but I’m gonna dive in headfirst, so looking forward to your support.”
The owner openly admits they are new to the hobby and the same age as Warhammer itself. Despite the lack of prior experience, they say they were “immediately captivated by its charm” and want to share that excitement with a wider audience. Their plan is to gradually build a dedicated Warhammer corner inside the shop and eventually host painting sessions and gameplay events outside normal business hours.
The owner has set an ambitious but realistic goal of holding their first gameplay event by Golden Week in early May. Because these events will take place after the shop closes for regular ramen service, the full menu will not be available. However, they intend to offer light snacks and drinks for attendees. They also plan to provide brush painting services for Citadel colors inside the shop, acknowledging their beginner status and asking the community to be patient and kind as they learn alongside everyone else.
Early signs show the announcement is already working. The owner posted this morning that Warhammer hobbyists had begun visiting the shop, and the dedicated corner is scheduled to be set up by the weekend. “I’m delighted to have hobbyists visit us right away,” they wrote. “It will be shipped from the warehouse today, and the Warhammer corner is scheduled to be set up by the weekend. So exciting, isn’t it?”
The pairing of ramen and Warhammer is wonderfully unexpected. One regular customer noted that the shop “does weird stuff again” but emphasized that it is still a perfectly normal and delicious ramen joint. Another joked about heading there to buy Citadel paints and then eat ramen, perfectly capturing the charm of the situation.
While no one wants to spill broth on freshly painted miniatures, having hot ramen available during a long four-hour Warhammer 40,000 game could actually be quite convenient. The owner has already embraced the humorous side of the crossover, with one post joking about “Perfect with buttered Khorne.”
Warhammer’s mainstream appeal has grown significantly over the past decade. Games Workshop has successfully expanded its audience through video games, books, and increased visibility. The upcoming Henry Cavill-led Warhammer 40,000 cinematic universe for Amazon Prime Video is expected to bring even more new people into the hobby. Seeing Warhammer products appear in unconventional locations like a ramen shop in Japan is a natural extension of that growth.
The fact that the owner is a complete beginner adds to the story’s appeal. Rather than a seasoned veteran opening a dedicated store, this is someone who discovered the hobby, fell in love with it, and decided to integrate it into their existing business. It shows how accessible and contagious the Warhammer community can be when someone takes that first step.
Online reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with hobbyists expressing excitement about the unusual location and offering encouragement to the new retailer. Many have already promised to visit when they are in the area, turning the ramen shop into an impromptu destination for both food and miniatures.
Mendokoro Maruwa’s new Warhammer corner is scheduled to open by the weekend, with the first gameplay event tentatively planned for Golden Week. Whether you are a longtime Warhammer fan looking for a unique place to paint or a ramen lover curious about the hobby, this unlikely collaboration offers something special for everyone.
In a hobby that can sometimes feel intimidating to newcomers, the image of a ramen shop owner excitedly setting up a Warhammer display while serving noodles is refreshingly wholesome. It proves that Warhammer’s charm can reach anyone, anywhere, even between bowls of tsukemen.
If you find yourself in the Chiba area, Mendokoro Maruwa might be worth a visit for both the ramen and the chance to see one of the most charming new Warhammer retailers in the world. Just be careful not to get broth on your fresh miniatures.