Aomori Prefecture’s ramen is more than just niboshi! Tour the characteristics and attractions of each region

Aomori Prefecture is home to a surprisingly diverse ramen culture in its vast land area. Each region has developed its own unique flavor due to different ingredients and historical backgrounds. This article divides Aomori Prefecture into major areas and introduces the characteristics of each ramen culture and its representative stores.

the area around Aomori City – a center of dried fish culture and originality

• Regional Characteristics and Ramen Culture: Aomori City, the prefectural capital, is one of the areas leading the ramen culture in the prefecture. In particular, the culture of “niboshi ramen” is deeply rooted in the city, and there are many restaurants serving light, traditional niboshi soup. On the other hand, creative ramen dishes such as the nationally famous “Miso Curry Milk Ramen” have also been created and are well-loved. Another major characteristic of this area is the “morning ramen” culture, in which ramen is eaten early in the morning.
• Taste trends in the area:
  • Central and Furukawa Area: The area is home to long-established and popular restaurants serving niboshi ramen, as well as miso curry milk ramen.
  • Namioka District: In the former Namioka-cho area, you will also find restaurants featuring relatively thick dried fish soup.
• Typical stores to visit (examples)：
  • Chinese Soba Hirako-ya Kiboshi： Hirako-ya is a restaurant specializing in morning ramen. Open from 6:00 a.m., the restaurant is popular for its soup with a strong taste of niboshi (dried sardines). (*This is a different store from the main store.)
  • Aji no Sapporo Onishi： This long-established restaurant is known as the originator of “Miso Curry Milk Ramen. This unique combination of miso and milk is a well-balanced dish with a mild and spicy flavor.
  • Aomori Chinese Soba All Ways： A popular niboshi ramen restaurant where careful workmanship shines through. The clear soup and homemade noodles are its specialties.
  • Noodle Shop Zetton： This restaurant is popular for its ramen with a strong niboshi (dried sardines) flavor. The restaurant offers a unique cup of ramen that is irresistible to those who love niboshi.
  • Marukai Ramen： A long-established restaurant that has been a local favorite for many years. Serving simple niboshi-flavored soy sauce ramen, it has many fans. (*Open at 10:30 a.m.)

tsugaru area (Hirosaki and Goshogawara area) – unique castle town and apple area

• Regional Characteristics and Ramen Culture: The Tsugaru area, centered on the castle town of Hirosaki City, is a region steeped in history and culture. Ramen has also evolved in its own unique way, with some restaurants featuring a slightly stronger flavor than those in Aomori City and soups with a stronger taste of niboshi (dried sardines). The area is also home to apples, and apples are also a part of its culinary culture.
• Taste trends in the area: There are many long-established ramen stores in Hirosaki City that serve niboshi (dried fish), and unique ramen stores are scattered throughout the surrounding areas, including the Goshogawara and Kuroishi areas.
• Typical stores to visit (examples)：
  • Takashashi Chinese Soba Noodle Shop（Hirosaki City)： One of Hirosaki’s most famous niboshi ramen restaurants. It is characterized by its flavorful soy sauce broth with niboshi (dried sardines) and firm noodles.
  • Niboshi Yusha Hirosaki Branch（Hirosaki City)： A popular restaurant with a strong commitment to niboshi (dried sardines). We offer deep broth made from multiple sources of dried sardines.
  • Noodle Shop Xie（Fujisaki Town)：A talented restaurant in Fujisaki Town adjacent to Hirosaki City. Its carefully prepared niboshi ramen is well known.
  • San-chu Shokudo Main Store（Hirosaki City)： It is a long-established diner that conveys the taste of traditional Tsugaru Chinese noodles made with grilled dried fish and other ingredients.
  • Ganso Shijimi Ramen Wakayama Main Branch(Goshogawara City)： The specialty is “shijimi ramen,” a ramen with the concentrated flavor of shijimi from Lake Jusan.
  • Kamehameha(Goshogawara City)： Although it is a soba restaurant, ramen is also popular. In particular, the summer-only “cold ramen” is very popular.
  • Myoko Shokudo(Kuroishi City)： This long-established diner serves Kuroishi’s specialty, tsuyu yakisoba. Although different from ramen, it is known as the noodle culture of the Tsugaru region.

southern area (Hachinohe area) – Seafood flavors from the port town

• Regional Characteristics and Ramen Culture: The area is centered on Hachinohe City, the second largest city in the prefecture and a port town facing the Pacific Ocean. Reflecting the area’s thriving fishing industry, ramen is characterized by the use of seafood flavors in its ramen. In addition to niboshi (dried sardines), soups made with other seafoods and ramen with the aroma of the seashore can also be found. The term “chuka soba” (Chinese noodle) rather than “ramen” remains relatively common in the area.
• Taste trends in the area: There is a wide variety, from light, traditional Chinese soba noodles to those with a strong taste of niboshi (dried sardines) and seafood. The noodles tend to be relatively thin.
• Typical stores to visit (examples)：
  • Ikameshi-ya Hourin： Along with seafood dishes, this restaurant also offers ramen noodles with niboshi (dried sardines). Set menus with seafood rice bowls and other dishes are also popular.
  • Marui Chinese Soba Noodles： The store is popular for its rich niboshi ramen (thick niboshi ramen). It has gained support from lovers of niboshi.
  • Namikou Restaurant： Located near the port, Chinese noodles to be enjoyed with seafood are popular.
  • Ajino Men Takumi (in Miroku Yokocho)： This popular restaurant is located in Miroku Yokocho, Hachinohe’s food cart village. It offers ramen noodles that can be served to finish off after a night of drinking.
  • chop suey： Although it is a Chinese restaurant, noodles such as tantanmen are also popular.

Shimokita Area – Unique Peninsula Food Culture and Individual Ramen

• Regional Characteristics and Ramen Culture: The Shimokita Peninsula, located at the northernmost tip of Honshu, is a region with a unique food culture. There are also unique ramen dishes that make use of local specialties. Some restaurants serve ramen using local seafood, such as tuna from Oma. Ramen with a robust flavor that warms the body in the harsh natural environment is also popular among the locals.
• Typical stores to visit (examples)：
  • Maruhachi Ramen Restaurant(Mutsu City)： We serve Maruhachi Ramen, a local ramen with a slightly thick soy sauce broth and thick noodles that is popular in the Mutsu City area.
  • （In addition, Isaribi Restaurant may also be introduced, but it is recommended to check its business status in advance.）

southeastern area of the prefecture (Misawa and Towada area) – diverse culture and natural blessings

• Regional Characteristics and Ramen Culture: This area, centering on Misawa and Towada cities, has an international flavor due to the presence of U.S. military bases and the rich natural environment of Lake Towada and the Oirase Mountain Stream, which has also influenced the food culture. This diversity can also be seen in ramen, ranging from traditional Japanese-style ramen to unique international ramen and ramen that makes use of local ingredients.
• Typical stores to visit (examples)：
  • Kirakutei(Misawa City)： Ramen noodles that make use of local seafood are popular. The Hokki Ramen, which is sometimes offered only during the winter season, is especially famous.

Seasonal Guide to Aomori Ramen Tour

Aomori’s ramen shows a different charm with each season.

• Winter (December to February)： Hot ramen eaten in the bitter cold is exceptional. It is said that the flavor of dried ramen increases as well. Miso type ramen that warms the body and ramen using seafood that is in season in winter are also recommended.
• Spring (March – May)： With the melting of the snow, seasonal menus featuring wild vegetables and other spring delicacies are sometimes available. It is also a good idea to combine the cherry blossom season with sightseeing in places such as Hirosaki.
• Summer (June-August)： Refreshing summer menus such as chilled chuka and tsukemen noodles will be available at all restaurants. It is also the season for delicious seafood. During the Nebuta Festival, the town and ramen stores come alive.
• Autumn (September to November)： Ramen that takes advantage of autumn flavors, such as mushrooms, are also available. During the fall foliage season, it is recommended to enjoy ramen along with the scenery.

Diverse flavors nurtured by regional characteristics and ingredients

The diversity of ramen within Aomori Prefecture has been fostered by the differences in history, food culture, and available ingredients in each region.

• culture of having one’s own way (as opposed to that of a Buddhist monk): Niboshi is an important broth ingredient throughout the prefecture, but its use and shade vary from region to region and store to store.
• seafood: Surrounded on all sides by the sea (Pacific Ocean, Sea of Japan, Tsugaru Straits, and Mutsu Bay), scallops, squid, shijimi clams, tuna, hokki clams, and other seafood unique to the area are incorporated into ramen.
• Local Specialties: Creative combinations such as miso curry and milk ramen, as well as associations with agricultural products such as apples and garlic, are also seen, reflecting the individuality of the region.

Conclusion – How to enjoy Aomori Ramen Tour

Aomori ramen has the common denominator of “niboshi” (dried fish), but each region has its own surprisingly diverse individuality. From light, traditional Chinese soba noodles to rich, thick bowls of ramen and creative ramen dishes, the depth of Aomori’s ramen culture itself is rich in variety.

If you enjoy visiting ramen stores, you can have a deeper experience by not only visiting famous stores, but also by being aware of regional characteristics and seasonal differences. Another part of the trip is to get a feel for the atmosphere of the stores and how the locals enjoy their ramen.

Aomori ramen is a product of Aomori’s nature, climate, and regional characteristics. A trip to Aomori to taste its diverse world of ramen is sure to be an unforgettable culinary experience. Be sure to check out the latest information and enjoy your own personal Aomori ramen tour.