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Yamagata Prefecture is said to be the top ramen consumer in the country
As a vestige of the Edo period feudal domains, the prefecture is divided into four regions: Okitama, Murayama, Mogami, and Shonai
Ramen is popular throughout the region and has a high consumption rate, but it is especially popular in the Okitama region. Many people may be familiar with Akayu Ramen Ryu Shanghai
Among the ramen hot spots in the Okitama region, Yonezawa City, famous for its Yonezawa beef, is home to a delicious ramen called "Yonezawa Ramen," which features thin, curly noodles
Why is ramen so popular in the snowy country of Yonezawa?
Yonezawa City is located in a basin surrounded by mountains and is blessed with water, including underground water from the Iide mountain range
On the other hand, being far from the sea, they were not blessed with seafood. They were probably more attracted to ramen than to seafood that was not very fresh. Yonezawa is home to many rice farmers, but it seems they wanted noodles as an occasional treat
It is likely that it has become popular and popular as a staple-level ramen that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or gender, and that you won't get tired of eating every day
By using a lot of the abundant water and kneading the noodles thoroughly, Yonezawa Ramen its "high-moisture noodles was born. Each store has its own unique soup, but the basic style is a light Chinese ramen with a soy sauce base
Characteristics of Yonezawa Ramen
Currently, "Yonezawa Ramen" is also registered as a regional collective trademark.
The original dish was Chinese noodles, which were created by a Chinese person living in Yonezawa in the 1920s. The chefs used their ingenuity to use a lot of the abundant water available and knead the noodles thoroughly to create "Yonezawa Ramen," a high-moisture noodle dish
The soup is a light soy sauce-based broth made with vegetables, chicken bones, and dried sardines, and the thin, curly noodles are perfectly mixed in with the clear soup, making for a ramen that is so delicious you'll want to drink it all up to the last drop
Has ramen always been a delicacy?
When customers come over, they order ramen for delivery and treat them to ramen. It is common to treat them to ramen, not sushi delivery
This was a surprise to me, coming from the Kanto region, but it seems that this is because it is something that can be eaten by anyone, regardless of age or gender
5 recommended lesser known Yonezawa ramen restaurants!
It is said that there are currently 53 ramen restaurants in the city
It's hard to choose a favorite, and you won't be disappointed no matter which ramen shop you go to. However, we'll introduce five popular shops that have received many positive reviews saying they're delicious!
"Cold Chinese noodles," which take advantage of the characteristics of Yonezawa ramen, can be enjoyed all year round
I think your concept of chilled Chinese noodles will change if you try their chilled Chinese noodles. In fact, it's more like chilled ramen than chilled Chinese noodles
Not only are the thin, curly noodles that are a characteristic of Yonezawa ramen, but the clear soup is light and rich with no impurities, making it delicious enough that you will never get tired of it, no matter how many times you eat it
Kamata Shokudo <Information>
Store name: Kamata Shokudo
Address: 2-13-43 Toricho, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0025
This is a popular restaurant that has been featured in the media. However, on holidays, the parking lot and the restaurant can get crowded, and they may run out of soup and close early, so be careful
One of the popular menu items is menma ramen, which is topped with an incredible amount of thinly sliced menma and is sure to leave you very satisfied
Chinese Soba Kumabun ＜Information＞
Store name: Shina Soba Kumabun
Address: 5-2-52 Kasuga, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0044
Phone number: 0238-24-3522
Official URL:-
Google Map
Soba restaurantHirama
"Soba no Mise Hirama" - Chinese noodles... 650 yen
. It's been a while since I've been there. 💦 It's still as popular as ever! ️
I've only been to Kumabun recently, but this place is also a great choice. 💚
It is a representative example of Yonezawa ramen, and there are often long lines on weekends and holidays... It is so popular that locals try to go on weekdays whenever possible. It is not only popular by word of mouth, but it is also a restaurant that you will be convinced of when you eat it
The noodles are of course homemade, and Hirama also manufactures and wholesales noodles, supplying them to Shina Soba Kumabun
Soba restaurant Hirama ＜Information＞
Store name: Hirama Soba
Address: 1314-16 Asakawa, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0112
Yamagata is the ramen kingdom, and Yonezawa ramen is a specialty of noodles. We wanted to introduce many ramen shops, but we've narrowed it down to just five, including some hidden gems. No matter which shop you choose, you won't be disappointed
It's a good idea to check opening hours before heading out. Everyone loves Yonezawa ramen! Please give it a try!
I'm a member of the Neft editorial team. I love alcohol, music, and traveling, so I indulge in some drinks after work on weekdays, and on weekends, if I have free time, I travel to nearby areas. I work hard every day with the goal of eventually traveling overseas to find connections to Tohoku through NEFT reporting.
![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami safflower" certified as a Japanese heritage and Japanese agricultural heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
