What is Inaniwa Udon, an Akita specialty that is one of Japan's three major udon noodles?

ako
2018.03.23
Last updated: 2023.05.31

table of contents

1 What is "Inaniwa Udon", one of Japan's three major udon noodles?
2 Feel free to enjoy the traditional taste in front of Akita Station.
3 lastly

There must be many people in Japan who have heard of the famous dish "Inaniwa Udon." This is because Inaniwa udon is one of Japan's three major udon noodles, and is so well-known that when you visit Akita prefecture, the first thing you think about is Inaniwa udon.

When you think of Akita, you first think of ``Inaniwa udon,'' followed by ``Kiritanpo'' and ``shottsuru nabe,'' which are representative and traditional dishes of the local cuisine that you want to try when sightseeing in Akita.
What kind of udon is "Inaniwa Udon"? We will explain it along with famous restaurants where you can eat Inaniwa udon in Akita Prefecture.

What is "Inaniwa Udon", one of Japan's three major udon noodles?

``Inaniwa Udon'' is one of Japan's three major udon noodles, along with ``Sanuki Udon.''

Inaniwa udon was created by Ichibei Sato in Yuzawa City, southern Akita Prefecture, before the Kanbun era. In the 1700s, it became a purveyor to the domain, and is said to have been highly praised by the shogunate and other domains. Since the beginning of the Meiji era, udon noodles have been presented to the Ministry of the Imperial Household at the time, and have a history of being treated as a high-class ingredient within the prefecture.

Inaniwa udon is thicker and flatter than hiyamugi, and its noodles are yellowish. This is said to be because starch is used as dusting powder.

Although it is a hand-stretched dried noodle, souvenir shops in Akita Prefecture and antenna shops outside the prefecture that sell special products from Akita prefecture sell not only the dried noodle but also the semi-raw type of Inaniwa udon.

Inaniwa udon was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2007 as one of the ``Top 100 Local Dishes of Rural Areas,'' and now, in addition to being eaten with udon soup, Inaniwa udon is also served in creative dishes such as dipping it in curry-flavored soup. It is becoming more and more popular.

When you visit Akita Prefecture, Inaniwa udon is a must-try. One bite and you'll understand why Inaniwa udon has been selected as one of Japan's top three udon noodles.

INFORMATION

name	Akita Prefecture Inaniwa Udon Cooperative Association
Official URL	http://inaniwa-udon.jp/

Feel free to enjoy the traditional taste in front of Akita Station.

There are many restaurants in Akita Prefecture that serve Inaniwa udon. However, the most easily accessible stores are those near the station in Akita City, the prefectural capital and one of the gateways to Akita Prefecture. Of course, there is also a restaurant near Akita Station where you can eat Inaniwa udon within a 5-minute walk.

Don Ogiya Topico store

First up is Don Ougiya, located inside Topico at Akita Station. It's on the 3rd floor of the station, so it's a great place to take a break at the starting point of your sightseeing trip. Of course, the Inaniwa udon they serve is also authentic. In addition to Inaniwa udon, we have a wide selection of specialty dishes made with ingredients from Akita Prefecture, as well as Akita Prefecture's sake.

INFORMATION

name	Don Ogiya Topico store
location	7-1-2 Chuo-dori, Akita City, Akita Prefecture
telephone number	018-887-4535
Official URL	http://ougiya.info/topico/index.html
GOOGLE MAP

Traditional taste restaurant Mugendo Omachi main store

If you leave the west exit of Akita Station and go straight along Popo Road, you will see Mugendo. It's about a 5 minute walk from Akita Station. This is a quaint shop with an impressive Hakuryu emblem.

INFORMATION

name	Traditional taste restaurant Mugendo Omachi main store
location	1-3-2 Omachi, Akita City, Akita Prefecture
telephone number	018-863-0008
Official URL	http://www.mugendo.jp/
GOOGLE MAP

Yosuke Sato Akita store

This image is "Sato Yosuke" located in the Akita Seibu basement. This restaurant has many Inaniwa udon menus, from authentic Inaniwa udon to curry-flavored Inaniwa udon. It is a famous store with branches in Akasaka, Chiyoda Ward, Hibiya, Minato Ward, and Ginza, Chuo Ward, in Tokyo.

INFORMATION

lastly

Inaniwa udon is a traditional dish of Akita Prefecture, but it is also quite well known as a Japanese dish as it is counted as one of the three major udon noodles in Japan.
There are many Inaniwa udon shops in Akita Prefecture, and all of them offer a variety of items, from simple bukkake udon to each shop's uniquely arranged menu. There are some shops that sell items, so it might be a good idea to buy a set of udon and soup as a souvenir after your meal.

I believe that the fun of visiting a region is not just touring the sightseeing spots, but also to savoring the region's unique cuisine. Don't forget the name Inaniwa Udon when you travel.