Shirakawa is a city known for great water. And practically every ramen-ya makes their own noodles by hand. Menshou is no different. With two types of noodle for their ramen (they have soba too), order the Omori (large) version if you want to try the thicker one. I ordered the regular size with the regular ramen and was sequentially satisfied. The soup is an assari torigara (chicken) base that was thirst-quenchingly good. If eating ramen were a sport, Menshou would be my ramenade.
Despite how far it may seem, it's only a 15-minute walk from Shinshirakawa Station. Head straight out of the station on the biggest street you see. At the third signal make a right and proceed along the main road for three more signals. Cross the street and you'll see Menshou on your right. They are open from 11am to 4pm and closed on Tuesdays.
Other sites that mention Shirakawa Menshou:
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Gen Rai Ken (源来軒) - Kitakata, Fukushima, Japan
With 40+ ramen shops located in the city, Kitakata can fulfill everyone's ramen fantasy. But when a local tries to describe Kitakata Ramen, they always point to the originator--Gen Rai Ken. Easily the oldest ramen shop around, Gen Rai Ken was founded by an old man who immigrated from China during the Taishō Period. With humble beginnings as a yatai, the secret to this old man's torigara (chicken) soup and handmade noodle technique has been protected and passed down throughout the years. With one sip you'll instantly understand why it's been around so long. The noodles are amazing as well. And do not forget to order the handmade gyoza! That's their other specialty.
From Kitakata Station head North along the main street. After one block where the signal is, make a right and continue East until you see a red building on your right. It should only take about 5-minutes on foot. There's another ramen-ya right next to it so don't mistakenly walk into that one. They are open from 10am to 7:30 pm and closed on Tuesdays.
On the corner of the intersection right in front of the station and across the street, there's a small ramen gift shop where two very nice ladies work. Stop by and say hi to them for me.
Other sites that mention Gen Rai Ken:
From Kitakata Station head North along the main street. After one block where the signal is, make a right and continue East until you see a red building on your right. It should only take about 5-minutes on foot. There's another ramen-ya right next to it so don't mistakenly walk into that one. They are open from 10am to 7:30 pm and closed on Tuesdays.
On the corner of the intersection right in front of the station and across the street, there's a small ramen gift shop where two very nice ladies work. Stop by and say hi to them for me.
Other sites that mention Gen Rai Ken:
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Yonezawa Ramen Wakou (米沢ラーメン和幸) - Yonezawa Ekimae, Yamagata, Japan
Ramen Wakou was not quite as wacko as I would have liked it to be, but after all I went through on this day in Yonezawa, I was imperatively content with what they had to offer. It was a light shoyu ramen with an intense dab of peppery pepper that put the pep in pepalicious. Uuuh yeah, it was peppery. And it felt good! Almost like that Yonezawa steak I had. Key word: Almost...
A two-minute walk from Yonezawa Station. Just head West on the main road and you'll see it on your left. Grab a seat and tell the chef what you want. If you ask what the specialty is he'll just say "やっぱりしょゆうだな", which means Shoyu Bi*c*! Haha.
Other sites that mention Yonezawa Ramen Wakou:
A two-minute walk from Yonezawa Station. Just head West on the main road and you'll see it on your left. Grab a seat and tell the chef what you want. If you ask what the specialty is he'll just say "やっぱりしょゆうだな", which means Shoyu Bi*c*! Haha.
Other sites that mention Yonezawa Ramen Wakou:
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Akayu Ramen Ryushanhai (赤湯ラーメン流上海) - Yonezawa, Yamagata, Japan
Ryushanhai has been a personal favorite of mine ever since I tried it for the first time at the Yokohama Raumen Museum. And although this isn't a so-called "Yonezawa Ramen" nor is it the honten (original location), I wasn't going to pass it up without a look. Famous for their Akayu Ramen and Karamiso topping, Ryushanhai is two words--good sh**! The karamiso provides a slight pinch of spiciness that alerts your senses to an almost perfect ramen. The chashu is moist and delicious and the thick homemade noodles are incredible. Did you hear me? I said it was good sh**!
It's about a 30-40 minute walk from Yonezawa Station so it might just be better to call a taxi. The only problem with that though is you'll have a tough time finding a cab on the way back. Be prepared to burn off those calories you just ate. Anyhow, from Yonezawa Station head West on the main street that veers right. Then make a right at the Onuma (大沼デパート) department store and just keep walking and walking and walking until you see it on the left. You will be asked for your order as soon as you walk in so be prepared ahead of time. If it's busy, there's a bench inside the ramen-ya towards the back where people line up. They are open from 11:30am to 7pm and closed on Wednesdays.
Other sites that mention Ryushanhai Yonezawa:
It's about a 30-40 minute walk from Yonezawa Station so it might just be better to call a taxi. The only problem with that though is you'll have a tough time finding a cab on the way back. Be prepared to burn off those calories you just ate. Anyhow, from Yonezawa Station head West on the main street that veers right. Then make a right at the Onuma (大沼デパート) department store and just keep walking and walking and walking until you see it on the left. You will be asked for your order as soon as you walk in so be prepared ahead of time. If it's busy, there's a bench inside the ramen-ya towards the back where people line up. They are open from 11:30am to 7pm and closed on Wednesdays.
Other sites that mention Ryushanhai Yonezawa:
Hakodate Ramen Mame-san (新函館ラーメン マメさん) - Suehiro-cho, Hakodate, Japan (Hokkaido)
Hakodate is the only city in all of Japan that is solely known for its Shio Ramen. And Hakodate Ramen Mame-san is arguably the most popular. With humble beginnings as a yatai in the late 60's, Mame-san has had a rough past that resulted in closure then resurrection. Today's Mame-san is considered "new", but it maintains all the ingredients from the original. With two types of noodles and a refined shio ramen, it's undoubtedly a hit among locals and tourists alike.
From Hakodate Station head southwest towards the morning market and in the direction of Mt. Hakodate. It's about a 15-minute walk over a span of 15 blocks. It'll be on your left side. There's a ticket machine here so just punch in what you want to order and wait to be seated. I recommend the shio ramen only cuz Hakodate is all about the shio. If you like squid stuffed with rice, get the Ikameshi combo. It's open everyday from 11am to 8pm.
Other sites that mention Hakodate Ramen Mame-san:
From Hakodate Station head southwest towards the morning market and in the direction of Mt. Hakodate. It's about a 15-minute walk over a span of 15 blocks. It'll be on your left side. There's a ticket machine here so just punch in what you want to order and wait to be seated. I recommend the shio ramen only cuz Hakodate is all about the shio. If you like squid stuffed with rice, get the Ikameshi combo. It's open everyday from 11am to 8pm.
Other sites that mention Hakodate Ramen Mame-san:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)