Early Access available · released 9 October 2026
Japanese Ramen Simulator launched in paid Early Access on Steam on 9 October 2026 at 08:00 UTC / 17:00 JST. The official Steam news API checked on 9 November still lists v0.1.74.19895. The 5 November content update adds Karaage, self-service water and a Level 35 cap; the latest mini update fixes the Karaage tutorial, cup service and other named interactions. Later roadmap features remain plans until a released source confirms them.
Steam store listing · checked 9 November 2026 · official Steam news APIWhat changed in the October 2 update?
The October 2 update described controller-support settings and cloud-sync review feedback that Wild Dog had addressed before resubmitting the game. That waiting period has ended: the October 6 announcement confirmed that Steam’s pre-release review had passed and gave the new launch time. On October 9, the developer published the Early Access launch and Day 1 update. Preserve those dates when reading older coverage; an October 2 statement about pending review does not describe today’s availability. October 2 history · October 6 confirmation
Release timeline
- 16 Sep 2026
Original schedule
Wild Dog announced Early Access for 28 September at 09:00 JST / 00:00 UTC. That schedule was superseded.
Original announcement ↗ - 28 Sep 2026
Launch postponed
The developer reported a delay in Steam’s pre-release review; no replacement date or time was given at that stage.
Delay announcement ↗ - 2 Oct 2026
Review update & CBT4
Wild Dog reported addressing controller-support and cloud-sync review feedback, then resubmitting the game. Approval was still pending at that time; a fourth closed beta was announced.
Updated historical announcement ↗ - 3 Oct 2026
Earlier store check
The listing then showed October 2026 without an exact date. This historical observation is now superseded by the confirmed schedule and public release.
Steam listing (now updated) ↗ - 6 Oct 2026
Review passed; launch confirmed
Wild Dog confirmed the review had passed and announced a worldwide Early Access launch for 9 October at 08:00 UTC / 17:00 JST.
Confirmed launch schedule ↗ - 9 Oct 2026
Public Early Access & Day 1
The game launched in paid Early Access. Day 1 update v0.1.48.17626 added Tantanmen, dish-clearing staff and secured cutting boards, alongside balance changes and fixes.
Launch and Day 1 notes ↗ - 10 Oct 2026
Update v0.1.50.17746
The developer moved the My Ramen tutorial starting level from 12 to 4 and two partition-wall unlocks from level 12 to 10, with interface and stability changes.
October 10 patch notes ↗ - 12 Oct 2026Latest check
Current availability checked
Steam offers the game for purchase and lists its Early Access release date as 9 October. The latest official news item found in this check is the October 10 patch.
Current Steam listing ↗
The October 2 section is an edit to the original September 28 announcement, so the post’s original publication date differs from its update date. The October 9 launch post was published shortly before the announced 08:00 UTC release time; its publication timestamp is not a different unlock time. The final row records this wiki’s latest source check, not a new release or patch.
What does the October window mean for my plans?
The broad October window has been replaced by a confirmed date, and that date has passed. These regional times refer to the same October 9 public Early Access launch, not separate regional releases:
| Region | Confirmed launch date and local time |
|---|---|
| UTC | 9 October 2026, 08:00 |
| US West Coast, PDT | 9 October, 01:00 |
| US East Coast, EDT | 9 October, 04:00 |
| United Kingdom, BST | 9 October, 09:00 |
| Beijing / Shanghai, UTC+8 | 9 October, 16:00 |
| Japan, JST | 9 October, 17:00 |
| Sydney, AEDT | 9 October, 19:00 |
| New Zealand, NZDT | 9 October, 21:00 |
| Hawaii, HST | 8 October, 22:00 |
Source: Wild Dog’s confirmed schedule; Beijing and Japan values convert the announced UTC time. The developer’s game homepage still carried an older September release label when checked on October 12. Use the newer dated announcement and current Steam purchase listing when those sources disagree. This page is a dated editorial check, not a live Steam service-status feed.
CBT4 dates are separate from public release
The October 2 announcement described a lottery for up to 1,000 additional closed-beta participants. Its registration and first-round key-claim dates are historical. Public Early Access is now the normal purchase route; this table is not an invitation to register for an active test.
| CBT4 milestone | UTC | Japan time, JST |
|---|---|---|
| Applications opened | 2 Oct, 12:00 | 2 Oct, 21:00 |
| Application deadline | 3 Oct, 11:00 | 3 Oct, 20:00 |
| First results, key claiming and test start | 3 Oct, 12:00 | 3 Oct, 21:00 |
| First-round key claim deadline | 4 Oct, 12:00 | 4 Oct, 21:00 |
| Announced test endpoint | Until public launch | Public launch was 9 Oct, 17:00 JST |
The original beta notice described testing until launch; we have not checked an individual beta key’s present access. Its restriction on publishing closed-test content should not be confused with a statement about public-release footage. Our picture guides use public official promotional media and do not claim closed-beta access or a hands-on release test.
Why do older guides say September 27 or September 28?
The superseded schedule was 28 September 2026 at 09:00 JST / 00:00 UTC, which would have fallen on the evening of September 27 in North America. Those two calendar dates described the same original planned instant. Review delays displaced that plan; the actual public Early Access date is October 9. Original developer schedule
This guide keeps its original address so an older link reaches the corrected status and the history behind it. A creator preview or beta video dated before October 9 does not establish that the general public could buy the game then.
Can I buy or download it now?
Yes: the official Steam store currently offers the Early Access game for purchase. It is not listed as free-to-play. At our October 12 check, the US store price was US$12.74, a 15% introductory discount from US$14.99. That is a dated US-region snapshot, not a worldwide price guarantee. Check your own region’s price and any promotion deadline on the official Steam store, App 4968640. A purchase listing does not establish that a free public demo is offered.
The first public update was v0.1.48.17626 on October 9. The latest official update we found at this check is v0.1.50.17746, published October 10. It changes the My Ramen tutorial’s starting level and some decoration unlocks, alongside interface and stability fixes. See our versioned update guide for the individual changes and their official sources.
Before your first shift, compare hardware in the PC and platform guide, explore the visual guide or prepare a co-op shift plan. These pages distinguish developer-documented behavior from editorial planning; this wiki has not yet tested the released build.
Questions players are asking
Topics seen in the public Steam community, answered against official sources. Checked 12 October 2026; these are source checks, not hands-on game tests. Community links lead to the observed hub or discussion listing; we have not verified individual replies.
Is Japanese Ramen Simulator free?
The player question: A player asked whether the game is free and what it will cost. View the community source →
What the official sources establish: It is a paid Early Access game, available since October 9. The US store checked on October 12 shows a US$14.99 base price and a US$12.74 introductory price. Currency, offers and taxes can differ, so use your own Steam store price before buying. Earlier closed-beta participation was separate from buying the released game.
Why did the store appear to say it unlocked today?
The player question: A player reported a mismatch between the displayed unlock date and availability. View the community source →
What the official sources establish: The September schedule was delayed while the game awaited review. Wild Dog then confirmed October 9 at 08:00 UTC, and Steam now lists October 9 as the Early Access release date. The older delay notice remains part of the history, not the current availability answer.
Official replacement launch announcement → · Steam listing →
