[Aomori Hirosaki] Nakamiso is now available as a cup ramen!? A taste review to see how well it's recreated!

There's a ramen dish that's so well-known among the people of Hirosaki, Aomori, that it's safe to say "everyone knows it." That's "Nakamiso." This miso ramen has been served for many years in the basement food court of Nakasan Hirosaki store, and it's a Hirosaki flavor that has been loved by people of all ages, from children to adults.

Now, miso has been made into a cup ramen!? While it's great that it can now be enjoyed even in distant places, many people are probably wondering how well the "taste" has been recreated

In this article, we will first look back at the history and flavor characteristics of Nakamiso, and then provide a taste review of this popular cup ramen from the perspective of a Hirosaki resident

What is Hirosaki's soul food, Nakamiso?

It originated in the food court at Nakasan Hirosaki store

"Nakamiso," originated in the basement food court of the Nakasan Department Store in Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture. Later, it began to be served in the basement food court of the Nakasan Hirosaki Department Store, a place that was once special to the citizens of Hirosaki. Many people stopped by on their way home from shopping or school, and it was not uncommon to see students and families of three generations eating it together,taste of the townestablishing its position as a

It has been loved by locals for nearly half a century, and its existence has gone beyond being just ramen; it can even be said to be a part of "memories" and "everyday life."

Currently relocated to Hiroro in front of Hirosaki Station

When Nakasan Hirosaki store went bankrupt, there was a buzz in the local area that "Will we never be able to eat Nakamiso again?" I remember feeling a bit uneasy when I actually heard the news of the store's closure

However, the restaurant later reopened in the food court of "Hiroro," a commercial complex near Hirosaki Station. Their signature dish, "Nakamiso," is still available, and the taste remains the same. Citizens expressed relief and joy, and many still visit the restaurant seeking its unchanging flavor.

One of Hirosaki's three great miso ramen

a region where miso ramen is just as beloved as dried sardine ramenisMiso Ramen" and "no Mise MineAlong withNakamiso"Three Great Miso Ramens of Hirosakiis considered one of the

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

What are the three great miso ramen in Hirosaki? Try and compare the local foods loved by locals! [Aomori Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/29020

When it comes to ramen in Aomori, niboshi ramen is famous, but did you know that miso ramen is also popular? Miso ramen is almost always served in traditional restaurants, and it's just as popular as niboshi ramen. So, this time, we'll introduce the "Hirosaki's Three Great Miso Ramen," beloved by locals. If you have the opportunity to visit Hirosaki, be sure to try them all. The "Hirosaki's Three Great Miso Ramen" refers to three restaurants operating in Hirosaki City: Nakamiso, Mine, and Darumaya. Hirosaki...

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The sweet soup is topped with a generous amount of stir-fried vegetables. With just one sip, the depth and sweetness of the miso and the strong flavors of garlic and ginger spread in your mouth in an exquisite balance. It's a bowl that will make you want to eat it again and again

What is the appeal of the original Nakamiso?

Sweet miso soup with garlic and ginger

The key to Nakamiso's flavor lies in its unique soup, infused with garlic and ginger. While it looks quite dark, the taste is exquisite, with a perfect balance of vegetable umami and sweetness. It's not salty, and has a comforting flavor. However, it's quite sweet, so first-timers might be surprised.

Plenty of stir-fried vegetables including bean sprouts and cabbage

The toppings for Nakamiso are a generous pile of vegetables, including crunchy bean sprouts and sweet cabbage. These stir-fried vegetables soak into the soup, giving it an even deeper flavor

Another great thing about this ramen is that it's neither too oily nor too heavy. Compared to regular miso ramen, it looks thicker but is surprisingly light when you eat it. This contrast is what makes it addictive

We tried the "Medium Miso" cup ramen! How accurate is the taste?

This is Nakamiso cup ramen, the soul food of Tsugaru Hirosaki. The package has a photo of the underground food court at Hirosaki Nakasan printed on it

"supervised by Nakamiso," I'm curious to see how well it replicates the actual Nakamiso. How does it capture that unique sweetness and the punchy flavor of garlic and ginger?

This is the ingredient list. Cup Noodles, the most famous cup ramen in Japan, has 354 calories, so the medium miso cup ramen is quite high in calories. With such a rich flavor and such a large portion, it's understandable... but at the top of the ingredient list, there's a photo of Hiroro's current store

Pour in hot water and wait for 3 minutes. There's more bean sprouts and cabbage than I expected! There's also lots of minced meat and carrots, so this is promising. However, it doesn't have that distinctive miso smell..

included "finishing packet," the aroma instantly became closer to that of authentic Nakamiso! It had an indescribable oily scent, along with a punchy aroma of garlic and ginger! The soup did come close to the taste of Nakamiso, but those who have tasted the real thing will probably find it lacking.

However, it will come in handy when you travel outside the prefecture and miss Nakamiso! Even if you're unfamiliar with Nakamiso, I think you'll enjoy it as a delicious miso ramen. The noodles are a bit cheap, but it's a cup ramen, so you can't complain

Summary: Can this be a substitute for “that taste”?

Nakamiso is not just miso ramen, but a kind of "culture" that has long been loved by the people of Hirosaki. The arrival of a cup ramen that allows you to easily recreate that flavor at home is significant in more ways than just commercialization. Of course, it's not exactly the same as the original Nakamiso, but the moment you eat it, you'll feel a sudden nostalgia for the flavor

I think this cup ramen will be a welcome addition for those who live away from Hirosaki, or for those who became addicted to Nakamiso while traveling. I also think it's a product with a deep heart that may even inspire them to try the original

Hana Odagiri

A woman who loves drinking and grew up on the delicious food of Aomori. A web writer who loves cooking, alcohol, and manga