- A Flavor Journey Through Ramen of Hokkaido
- A Flavor Journey Through Ramen of the Tohoku Region
- Hachinohe Niboshi Ramen (Hachinohe,Aomori Prefecture)
- Miso Curry Milk Ramen (Aomori City,Aomori Prefecture)
- Mapo Ramen (Sendai City,Miyagi Prefecture)
- Akayu Spicy Miso Ramen (Akayu,Yamagata Prefecture)
- Kitakata Ramen (Kitakata City,Fukushima Prefecture)
- Shirakawa Ramen (Shirakawa City,Fukushima Prefecture)
- Kanto-Koshinetsu Ramen Flavor Journey
A Flavor Journey Through Ramen of Hokkaido
In the vast expanse of Hokkaido,a diverse ramen culture has developed. Famous types include Sapporo’s miso ramen,Hakodate’s salt ramen,and Asahikawa’s soy sauce pork bone ramen. Following these three major types,there is the lighter soy sauce-flavored Kushiro ramen and the unique Muroran curry ramen,each with distinct characteristics.
Asahikawa Ramen (Asahikawa City,Hokkaido)
“Asahikawa Ramen” is one of the three famous types of Hokkaido ramen,alongside Sapporo and Hakodate. The soup is made from soy sauce,pork bones,and seafood,differing in taste and appearance from Kyushu’s pork bone ramen,which is typically cloudy due to the bones being boiled vigorously.
Delicious Asahikawa Ramen Shops
旭川らぅめん青葉 本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 8-2 Nijo-dori,Asahikawa,Hokkaido,Nijo Building
Reputation: A representative shop for Asahikawa ramen / Approximately 6 minutes on foot from JR Asahikawa Station / Established in 1947
旭川三平本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 7-1-1 Ichijo-dori,Asahikawa,Hokkaido,1F
Reputation: Famous for its extremely spicy miso / Spiciness available in five levels / Also offers original instant ramen products
梅光軒旭川本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 8 Nijo-dori,Asahikawa,Hokkaido,B1F
Reputation: A staple in Asahikawa ramen / Known for its rich pork bone soup / Offers a variety of set meals
Kushiro Ramen (Kushiro City,Hokkaido)
“Kushiro Ramen,” known as the fourth major type of Hokkaido ramen,originated from a Yokohama-born chef who moved to Kushiro in the early 1900s and started serving “China Soba,” a Chinese-style noodle dish. Initially based on a rich pork bone broth,the local preference evolved it into a lighter soup using bonito broth. The noodles are very thin and wavy,designed to cook quickly for fishermen and to match the refreshing taste of the bonito broth. Some shops add their unique twist by incorporating dried sardines,kelp,chicken bones,and pork bones to create their own special soup.
Delicious Kushiro Ramen Shops
ラーメン屋 夏堀 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 4-3 Kasugacho,Kushiro,Hokkaido
Reputation: A popular shop for Kushiro ramen / Features thin,wavy noodles / Light soup made from chicken,pork bones,and seafood broth / Topped with tender pork from Hokkaido
河むら 釧路本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 5-2 Suehirocho,Kushiro,Hokkaido
Reputation: Soup based on fish flakes / Located in Kushiro’s bustling area / Features lightly flavored soy sauce and wavy noodles
ぎょうざ 火の車 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 3-1-1 Katsuragi,Kushiro-cho,Kushiro-gun,Hokkaido
Reputation: Offers various styles of ramen beyond Kushiro ramen / Known for popularizing pork bone ramen in Kushiro
Muroran Curry Ramen (Muroran City,Hokkaido)
“Muroran Curry Ramen” was developed in 1965 but was not as well-known as the other three major types of Hokkaido ramen. However,it has recently gained media attention and become popular as a unique type of Hokkaido ramen.
Delicious Muroran Curry Ramen Shops
清洋軒 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-6-4 Funamicho,Muroran, Hokkaido
Reputation: A long-established representative of Muroran / Features a rich,flavorful curry soup / Known for its wavy noodles
なかよし 入江店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-58-33 Kaigancho,Muroran,Hokkaido
Reputation: A popular shop for Muroran curry ramen / Pork bone-based soup / Rich curry flavor / Features medium-thick wavy noodles
Hakodate Salt Ramen (Hakodate City,Hokkaido)
“Hakodate Salt Ramen” is one of the three famous types of Hokkaido ramen. Its soup is a clear,light salt-based broth made from chicken and pork bones. Hakodate,a port city prospered through international trade,is believed to have been influenced by authentic Chinese salt-based ramen.
Delicious Hakodate Salt Ramen Shops
まいど Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-26-34 Yukawa-cho,Hakodate,Hokkaido
Reputation: Opened in 2013 / Famous for its “Black Salt Ramen” finished with squid ink and kelp powder / The soup is made by simmering chicken,seafood,kelp for 10 hours,seasoned with rock salt and sea salt / Offers both wheat and rice noodles
函館麺厨房 あじさい Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 29-22 Goryokaku-cho,Hakodate,Hokkaido
Reputation: A well-known chain with branches in Sapporo and Yokohama / Popular for its salt ramen / The broth uses chicken,pork,kelp,dried sardines,and scallop pillars,seasoned with rock salt
A Flavor Journey Through Ramen of the Tohoku Region
Even in Tohoku,known for its popularity of soba,there are unique regional ramens in various areas. Soy sauce-flavored ramen is mainstream,with Kitakata Ramen being considered one of the three great ramens of Japan. Additionally,there are uniquely flavored ramens such as Aomori’s Miso Curry Milk Ramen,Miyagi’s Mapo Ramen,and Yamagata’s Akayu Spicy Miso Ramen,which are also popular.
Hachinohe Niboshi Ramen (Hachinohe,Aomori Prefecture)
“Hachinohe Niboshi Ramen” features a soy sauce-based soup using parent chicken bones,leeks,garlic,and dried sardines. The flavor is refreshing,allowing you to enjoy the taste of traditional ramen.
Delicious Hachinohe Niboshi Ramen Shops
中華そば まる井 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 3-24-9 Nejo,Hachinohe,Aomori Prefecture
Reputation: An established ramen shop in Hachinohe Nejo / Known for its light soy sauce soup made mainly from dried sardines and chicken bones / Uses locally produced dried sardines and local chicken
金華楼 本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-17-27 Aoba,Hachinohe,Aomori Prefecture
Reputation: Light and subtle flavor / Affordable / Offers a variety of set meals
Miso Curry Milk Ramen (Aomori City,Aomori Prefecture)
“Miso Curry Milk Ramen” features a soup based on “Sapporo Ramen” with added curry powder and milk. This ramen originated from a local Aomori City ramen shop in response to customer requests,becoming an official menu item in 1978 and now served in other ramen shops in Aomori City.
Delicious Miso Curry Milk Ramen Shops
かわら Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-5 Oya Koya,Aomori City,Aomori Prefecture
Reputation: Located in the food court of Aomori Airport / A perfect balance of miso’s saltiness,curry flavor,and the creaminess of milk
味の札幌 大西 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-15-6 Furukawa,Aomori City,Aomori Prefecture,1F
Reputation: The originator of miso curry milk ramen / Concept created by high school students / Soup based on white miso blended with curry powder and milk
Mapo Ramen (Sendai City,Miyagi Prefecture)
Mapo Ramen is topped with mapo tofu,making the soup spicy. In Sendai,Mapo Yakisoba,which is yakisoba topped with mapo tofu,is also famous.
Delicious Mapo Ramen Shops
麺飯甜 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-1-1 Chuo,Aoba-ku,Sendai City,Miyagi Prefecture,Sendai Station 1F
Reputation: Located inside Sendai Station / Famous for mapo tofu / Spicy,with a heat comparable to the authentic dishes
Akayu Spicy Miso Ramen (Akayu,Yamagata Prefecture)
“Akayu Spicy Miso Ramen” was created in 1958 by the ramen shop “Ryushanghai” in Akayu. Although “Sapporo Miso Ramen” from Hokkaido is well-known,”Akayu Spicy Miso Ramen” was developed around the same time,making both claim to be the original miso ramen.
Delicious Akayu Spicy Miso Ramen Shops
龍上海赤湯本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 6-18 Nishikine,Nanyo,Yamagata Prefecture
Reputation: The birthplace of Akayu spicy miso ramen / Established in 1958 / Features a rich soup simmered for over 6 hours / Spicy miso made with local Akayu chili peppers / Handmade thick noodles
麺屋 葵 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 4549-2 Miyachi,Nanyo,Yamagata Prefecture
Reputation: One of the representative shops for Akayu ramen / Light miso ramen enhanced with dried sardines / Special spicy miso mixed with chili peppers and garlic
Kitakata Ramen (Kitakata City,Fukushima Prefecture)
“Kitakata Ramen” is regarded as one of Japan’s three great ramens,alongside “Sapporo Ramen” from Hokkaido and “Hakata Ramen” from Kyushu. It features a light soup made from a soy sauce-based pork bone broth and is known for its wide noodles,about 4mm in width. This ramen was developed by a street vendor in 1927 and has been cherished by the local community since.
Delicious Kitakata Ramen Shops
坂内食堂 本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 7230 Hosoda,Kitakata City,Fukushima Prefecture
Reputation: The birthplace of Kitakata Ramen / Over 60 years of history / Salt-based soup / Features pork belly chashu
喜多方ラーメン 喜一 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 635-7 Takagakushinkaiden,Sekisai-machi,Kitakata City,Fukushima Prefecture
Reputation: Modern Japanese ambiance / Delicately crafted broth with added salt for a refined salt ramen / Noodles are known for their smooth and chewy texture
Shirakawa Ramen (Shirakawa City,Fukushima Prefecture)
“Shirakawa Ramen” is characterized by a clear soy sauce-based soup made from pork bones and chicken bones. There are over 100 shops in Shirakawa City,making it a popular destination for tourists.
Delicious Shirakawa Ramen Shops
手打中華そば とら食堂 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1 Takinojiri,Shirakawa City,Fukushima Prefecture
Reputation: The birthplace of Shirakawa Ramen / Established in 1969 / Known for its thick,wavy,hand-made noodles with a firm texture / Founded by the late Toraji Takei,who established ramen culture in Shirakawa
火風鼎 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 44-16 Onikoshi,Shirakawa City,Fukushima Prefecture
Reputation: Opened by a former sushi chef / Pork and chicken bone soup / Uses three types of soy sauce / Features charcoal-grilled chashu
Kanto-Koshinetsu Ramen Flavor Journey
Ramen’s rise to national popularity began in 1910 with the opening of Rai Rai Ken in Asakusa,Tokyo. The soy sauce ramen first served here paved the way for the diverse ramen culture we see today. Besides well-known favorites like tsukemen,abura soba,Jiro-style ramen,and Yokohama family-style ramen,the Kanto-Koshinetsu region also boasts a variety of unique ramen dishes. These have evolved to meet the local customer base’s preferences and needs.
Sano Ramen (Tochigi Prefecture,Sano City)
“Sano Ramen” features a broth that varies by restaurant,typically made from pork bones or chicken carcass. Its unique preparation method involves using bamboo to hand-stretch the noodles.
Tasty Sano Ramen Restaurants
青竹手打ちラーメン大和 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Tochigi Prefecture,Sano City,Moroyama Town 4-8
Reputation: A representative popular store for Sano Ramen,featuring bamboo-handled noodles and a refreshing soup. Selected for the Tabelog Ramen Top 100 EAST.
佐野らーめん くにや Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Tochigi Prefecture,Sano City,Ohashi Town 2207
Reputation: Soup made using Japanese cooking techniques,light soy flavor,no chemical seasonings used.
一乃胡 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Tochigi Prefecture,Sano City,Ohashi Town 3234-1
Reputation: Popular for its sesame ramen,based on Sano Ramen with a sesame soup.
Katsuura Tantanmen (Chiba Prefecture,Katsuura City)
“Katsuura Tantanmen” was created as a dish to warm the body in this fishing town. Unlike typical tantanmen,it uses no sesame but a soy sauce and chili oil-based soup,with ingredients like onions,minced meat,and garlic.
Tasty Katsuura Tantanmen Restaurants
元祖勝浦式担々麺江ざわ Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Chiba Prefecture,Katsuura City,Shirai Kubo 296-8
Reputation: Birthplace of Katsuura Tantanmen,features a thick soy-based soup rich with chili oil,with onions,minced meat,and shredded white onions as toppings.
海鮮本陣 魚祭 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Chiba Prefecture,Katsuura City,Sumi 258
Reputation: Uses pork belly,characterized by the sweetness of onions and flavors of garlic and green onions,homemade soy sauce dressing and chili oil,with medium-thick crinkled noodles.
樹樹 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Chiba Prefecture,Katsuura City,Kushihama 787-1
Reputation: Less spicy,mild red soup,pork bone base soup blended with soy sauce.
Takeoka-style Ramen (Chiba Prefecture,Futtsu City)
“Takeoka-style Ramen” features a dark soy sauce-based soup made using the leftover water from boiling the noodles,enhanced with soy sauce-marinated char siu and simmered onions. Unlike the typical fresh noodles,Takeoka-style ramen may use dried noodles,preferred by local fishermen for its salty taste and the noodles’ ability to maintain consistent flavor.
Tasty Takeoka-style Ramen Restaurants
梅乃家 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Chiba Prefecture,Futtsu City,Takeoka 410
Reputation: Originator of Takeoka-style Ramen,uses dried noodles,soup made by diluting char siu sauce with water,nearly black in color.
鈴屋 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Chiba Prefecture,Futtsu City,Takeoka 92-92
Reputation: Along with Umenoya,a birthplace of Takeoka-style Ramen,always full since opening,known for its rich soy flavor.
竹岡式ラーメンまる竹 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Tokyo,Chuo Ward,Nihonbashi Hamacho 2-35-4 1F
Reputation: Almost identical to the original Umenoya,uses dried noodles,curry also a specialty.
Anyoji Ramen (Nagano Prefecture,Saku City)
“Anyoji Ramen” was developed in 2008 using the region’s specialty,miso,as part of a trend to market local ingredients in dishes like ramen,soba,and udon as B-class gourmet food.
Tasty Anyoji Ramen Restaurants
食材工房 光志亭 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Nagano Prefecture,Saku City,Nakagomi 3150-1 1F
Reputation: Rich and tasty,Anyoji gyoza is also a specialty,customers can choose the thickness and flavor intensity of the noodles.
食堂居酒屋 愛に恋 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Nagano Prefecture,Saku City,Nakagomi 2-8-10
Reputation: Wide menu selection,homemade lard made from char siu,mild miso flavor.
Tsubame-Sanjo Back Fat Ramen (Niigata Prefecture,Tsubame-Sanjo City)
“Tsubame-Sanjo Back Fat Ramen” originated from a stall in 1934. With many factory workers in the area,there was a demand for flavorful,slow-cooling ramen. This led to the creation of a rich soy-based broth with seafood like dried sardines,thick noodles to prevent sogginess,and copious amounts of pork back fat to keep the soup warm.
Tasty Tsubame-Sanjo Back Fat Ramen Restaurants
杭州飯店 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Niigata Prefecture,Tsubame City,Tsubame 49-4
Reputation: Origin of Tsubame back fat ramen,founded in 1933,thick noodles,broth made from dried sardine stock,strong salt flavor.
王風珍 Map・Operating Days・Hours
Address: Niigata Prefecture,Tsubame City,Shimoguri Tsu 2955-2
Reputation: Homemade thick noodles,popular miso ramen,characterized by the scent of dried sardines,the heat of doubanjiang,garlic,and ginger.
