Surprising Facts:A Culinary Journey Through 26 Unique Japanese Noodles with Features and Food Photos

Unexpected Facts About Unique Noodles

Sauce Yakisoba and Napolitan are noodle dishes that originated in Japan and do not exist in their supposed homelands of China and Italy, respectively. Additionally, some noodle dishes invented in recent years by the Japanese have gained popularity worldwide. Beyond soba and udon, many regions in Japan have developed their own unique noodle dishes.

Worldwide Consumption of Japanese-Origin Noodle Dishes

Instant ramen is consumed globally at an astounding rate of 122.2 billion servings per year (2022), making it the largest instant food product worldwide. With a global population of 8 billion people, this amounts to over 15 servings per person per year. The invention of instant ramen by the Japanese is not widely known. Among the fast-expiring instant ramen category, the first developed bagged instant ramen and cup noodles continue to be popular and best-selling products.

Chicken Ramen (1958)

Chicken Ramen, invented in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, founder of Nissin Foods, was the world’s first bagged instant ramen. Simply adding hot water to the bowl of flavored dried noodles makes it ready to eat, making it a revolutionary food product. This instant ramen has spread worldwide and evolved according to each country’s preferences. It is still sold in Japan and makes an excellent souvenir for visitors.

Cup Noodle (1971)

Cup Noodle, created in 1971 by Momofuku Ando, was the world’s first instant cup ramen. Its innovative combination of a cup and instant noodles allows for consumption anywhere, anytime with just hot water. Like Chicken Ramen, Cup Noodle has become popular worldwide and continues to evolve with local tastes. In Japan, varieties such as udon, soba, and yakisoba are also available. Cup Noodle remains a popular item in Japan, making it a great souvenir for visitors, just like Chicken Ramen.

Japan’s Three Great Yakisoba Flavor Journeys

The cities of Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture, Yokote in Akita Prefecture, and Ota in Gunma Prefecture are promoting their local yakisoba noodles as “Japan’s Three Great Yakisobas” to boost regional revitalization. This initiative is a typical example of strategic promotion led by local governments. While soba, udon, and ramen have a long history and high entry barriers for branding, yakisoba, with its shorter history and fewer competitors, is ideal as a tourism resource.

Yokote Yakisoba (Yokote City, Akita Prefecture)

Yokote Yakisoba is characterized by a fried egg on top, with the yolk broken and mixed in. It has a sweet taste from Worcestershire sauce. Ingredients often include cabbage, minced pork, and “hormone” (offal).

Delicious Restaurants for Yokote Yakisoba

藤春食堂　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 22-3 Daino-mae, Oya-shinmachi, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture
Reputation: One of the “Yokote Yakisoba Four Kings,” famous for Yokote yakisoba
横手飯店　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1-4-25 Asahikawa, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture
Reputation: Classic / Sweet sauce / Yokote Yakisoba
安楽食堂　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1-2-29 Asahikawa, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture
Reputation: One of the Yokote Yakisoba Four Heavenly Kings / Yakiniku Rice is popular

Joushuu Ota Yakisoba (Ota City, Gunma Prefecture)

Joushuu Ota Yakisoba has roots in Yokote Yakisoba from Akita Prefecture. During the rapid economic growth of the Showa period, Ota City, home to many factories, welcomed numerous migrant workers from the Tohoku region, including those from Yokote. The yakisoba they brought with them, which remained non-soggy over time, became a popular and convenient meal for factory workers.

Delicious Restaurants for Joushuu Ota Yakisoba

かわとみ 　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 178-2 Tsuyodo-machi, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture
Reputation: Member of the “Joushuu Ota Yakisoba Renkai,” famous for its eggplant kabayaki
元祖呑龍山田屋本店　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 13-1 Kanayamacho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture
Reputation: Known for its secret miso sauce / Grilled manju is a specialty / Established during the Edo period
助平屋饅頭 総本舗　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 526-11 Nittakisakicho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture
Reputation: Founded in the first year of Showa / Features a spicy, rich sauce

Fujinomiya Yakisoba (Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture)

Fujinomiya Yakisoba uses noodles made by designated manufacturers, and it is topped with bonito flakes made from mackerel or sardines. A distinctive feature is the addition of meat kasu (fat scraps) to the toppings.

Delicious Restaurants for Fujinomiya Yakisoba

ゆぐち　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 4032-3 Mannohara-shinden, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Reputation: A representative long-standing establishment for Fujinomiya Yakisoba with a chewy noodle texture and a rich yakisoba sauce
富士宮焼きそばFUJIBOKU　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 4-22 Miyamachi, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Reputation: Uses local specialty Luibi pork, firm noodles, and jumbo mushrooms are a specialty

Culinary Journey Through Local Yakisoba Varieties

Apart from the three major types of yakisoba in Japan, many regions offer their unique versions of yakisoba. Not only served in restaurants, yakisoba is widely consumed at food stalls, festivals, supermarket bento boxes, and as home-cooked meals, holding a presence as significant as udon, soba, and ramen.

Kuroishi Tare Yakisoba (Aomori Prefecture, Kuroishi City)

Kuroishi Tare Yakisoba is characterized by its thick, flat noodles and a sweet and spicy sauce topped with soba broth. Ingredients include tempura scraps (tenkasu) and green onions.

Delicious Restaurants for Kuroishi Tare Yakisoba

道の駅 虹の湖　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1-5 Okuirayama-jin, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture
Reputation: Thick noodles with sweet and spicy sauce, Japanese-style broth, popular stop during drives
蔵よし　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 13 Yokomachi, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture
Reputation: Famous for Kuroishi Tare Yakisoba, traditional storehouse exterior, rich variety of Japanese dishes
すごう食堂　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 186 Ichibancho, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture
Reputation: Established in the first year of Taisho era, retro exterior, near Kuroishi Station

Ishinomaki Yakisoba (Miyagi Prefecture, Ishinomaki City)

Ishinomaki Yakisoba noodles are steamed twice, resulting in brown raw noodles. Around 1950, a local noodle factory developed these noodles that don’t stick together when cooked. Topped with a fried egg.

Delicious Restaurants for Ishinomaki Yakisoba

藤や食堂　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 2-6-17 Tate-machi, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
Reputation: 5 minutes walk from JR Ishinomaki Station, nostalgic local diner feel
かのまたや　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 6-19 Koku-machi, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
Reputation: Long-established noodle maker, also renowned for Ishinomaki Yakisoba, serves udon
はせべ　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 46-36-4 Hebitanino, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
Reputation: Yakisoba specialty shop, thin twice-steamed noodles, Japanese-style broth, soft-boiled fried egg

Mapo Yakisoba (Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City)

Mapo Yakisoba features mapo tofu as an ingredient, and occasionally, tofu might be omitted. Originating around 1970 as a meal for staff at a local Chinese restaurant.

Delicious Restaurants for Mapo Yakisoba

まんみ 泉店　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1-22-3 Izumi Chuo, Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Reputation: Birthplace of Mapo Yakisoba, generous portions, crispy noodle texture
成龍萬寿山 本店　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 3-6-10 1F Kokubuncho, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
Reputation: Generous portions, located in Sendai’s bustling district

Namiie Yakisoba (Fukushima Prefecture, Namiie Town)

Namiie Yakisoba features thick noodles stir-fried with pork and bean sprouts in lard, seasoned with a rich sauce. Uniquely, it is sometimes topped with shichimi pepper.

Delicious Restaurants for Namiie Yakisoba

杉乃家　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 2-3-1 1F Honcho, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Reputation: Birthplace of Namiie Yakisoba, extra thick noodles and rich sauce, near Nihonmatsu Station

Utsunomiya Yakisoba (Tochigi Prefecture, Utsunomiya City)

Utsunomiya Yakisoba uses thick noodles seasoned with sauce and topped with a fried egg. A local tradition includes taking the dish home to eat, hence all shops offer takeout.

Delicious Restaurants for Utsunomiya Yakisoba

やきそば 石田屋　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 5-8-9 Central, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture
Reputation: Long-standing establishment of Utsunomiya Yakisoba, customizing flavor with tableside special sauce
宇都宮焼きそば 伊藤商店　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1511-7 Tsuruta-cho, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture
Reputation: Dining space available, thick noodles, substantial serving size
あをやぎ　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 4-13-17 Imaizumi, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture
Reputation: Popular for squid yakisoba, founded by former owner of Ishidaya yakisoba shop

Itoigawa Black Yakisoba (Niigata Prefecture, Itoigawa City)

Itoigawa Black Yakisoba uses squid and squid ink from Niigata, resulting in a uniquely black yakisoba. This creative dish was conceived in 2009 for tourism promotion in Itoigawa City.

Delicious Restaurants for Itoigawa Black Yakisoba

月徳飯店　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 2-5-18 Omachi, Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture
Reputation: A leading representative of flavorful black yakisoba with squid, offers authentic Chinese cuisine
居酒屋 源兵衛　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1-1-34 Omachi, Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture
Reputation: Flavor of squid ink, located near Itoigawa Station

Bokkake Yakisoba (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture)

Bokkake Yakisoba features “bokkake,” a dish of beef tendons and other sinewy meat with konnyaku simmered in a soy sauce-based broth. Konnyaku is made from konjac yam and is a traditional Japanese ingredient with a unique texture.

Delicious Restaurants for Bokkake Yakisoba

ぼっかけ焼きそば 一番星　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 3-1-15 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 1F
Reputation: A yakisoba specialty shop in Kobe Sannomiya, known for its topping of a fried egg
ぼっかけの拓　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1-9-1 Sannomiacho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture B1F
Reputation: Offers a variety of dishes featuring bokkake with a light flavor
お好み焼き 青森　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 4-8-6 Kubomachi, Nagata-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Reputation: The originator of bokkake yakisoba, traditional cooking methods, a popular bokkake yakisoba shop

Hiruzen Yakisoba (Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture)

Hiruzen Yakisoba is unique among yakisoba for its miso-based seasoning. It includes garlic, onions, apples, parent chicken, and cabbage.

Delicious Restaurants for Hiruzen Yakisoba

粋呑房　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1205-403 Kamifukuda, Hiruzen, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture
Reputation: Miso sauce includes jingisukan sauce, a secret touch of red wine, uses young chicken meat
道の駅 風の家　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1380-6 Kamitokuyama, Hiruzen, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture
Reputation: Features a sweet and spicy sauce, uses local cabbage, rich and spicy flavor

Nagasaki Kata Yakisoba (Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture)

Nagasaki Kata Yakisoba is known for its crispy, thin noodles fried in oil. The dish is served with Chinese-style Chop Suey using Chinese cabbage placed over the noodles.

Delicious Restaurants for Nagasaki Kata Yakisoba

中華菜館 福壽　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 2-5 Shinchi-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Reputation: Located in Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, light seasoning, popular for thick-noodle Sara Udon
中国料理館 会楽園　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 10-16 Shinchi-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Reputation: Delicious crispy noodles, sweetly seasoned

Hita Yakisoba (Hita City, Oita Prefecture)

Hita Yakisoba is said to have been created around 1960 by a local yakisoba shop owner. It is characterized by strongly grilling the noodles on an iron plate until they are crisply seared. Seasoned with sauce, the ingredients include bean sprouts, green onions, and pork.

Delicious Restaurants for Hita Yakisoba

想夫恋 総本店　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 416-1 Wakamiya-machi, Hita City, Oita Prefecture
Reputation: A long-established Hita Yakisoba specialty shop, unique method of grilling on an iron plate
ラーメン やきそば 三久　Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1-1 Kamayama-machi, Hita City, Oita Prefecture
Reputation: Crispy textured noodles, generous portions, served with ramen soup