Kitakata Ramen

【Japan's Three Major Ramen】Exquisite curly noodles and the 'Asa-Ra' culture. The profound world of 'Kitakata Ramen'

Kitakata Ramen is counted among Japan's three major ramen alongside Sapporo and Hakata. In this town of about 40,000 people, over 120 shops compete, making it one of Japan's top 'ramen sanctuaries.' While it is based on a clear pork and seafood-based light soy sauce soup, each shop has evolved uniquely, ensuring that you will never tire of exploring the flavors.

■ The secret is the moisture content? Chewy thick 'Takasui noodles' 
The biggest feature is the thick, flat 'curly noodles.' A niche point is that they use 'Takasui noodles,' which have a higher moisture ratio to flour than regular noodles. By carefully aging these, a unique 'chewy and smooth' texture is created. The wavy noodles hold onto the flavorful soup perfectly.

■ Start your day right with the unique food culture 'Asa-Ra' 
A deep experience unique to Kitakata is 'Asa-Ra,' where you slurp ramen from early morning. It is said to have started when shops opened for sake brewers finishing night shifts and farmers completing early morning tasks. With a refreshing and gentle flavor that doesn't weigh on the stomach even in the morning, it is truly a soul food nurtured by the history and climate of this land.