INTRO
Yamagata Prefecture is blessed with a rich natural environment that changes with the seasons and is rich in fresh ingredients obtained from the sea and mountains. As a result, Yamagata Prefecture offers a multitude of delicious dishes made from local ingredients. Seafood includes fresh seafood and fresh seaweed. In particular, areas facing the Sea of Japan are famous for oysters, abalone, squid, and cod, all of which are known throughout the country for their delicious taste. On the other hand, the delicacies of the mountains include pork, beef, wild vegetables, and mushrooms. Local cuisine using these ingredients all have a unique flavor and are loved by the locals.
Yamagata Prefecture is also known for its ramen, and there are many famous restaurants in the prefecture. Many restaurants use homemade noodles, and the noodles’ firmness and the soup’s perfect balance are highly regarded as excellent. Furthermore, Yamagata Prefecture offers a wide range of ramen stores, from long-established establishments to fashionable restaurants offering a new style of ramen.
Yamagata ramen is popular not only among locals but also nationwide, and its delicious taste has captivated many ramen fans. We will now introduce the charms of Yamagata ramen in several sections, so if you have a chance, please try Yamagata ramen. If you have a chance, please try Yamagata Prefecture’s ramen and you will surely be captivated by it.
1・Yamagata City is the largest ramen consuming city in Japan
2・The number of ramen stores relative to the population is also the highest in Japan
3・Many fans visit not only locally but also from outside the prefecture
4・Improvement of Yamagata City’s Ramen Culture
5・Shops recommended for foreigners who want to try ramen
1・Yamagata City is the largest ramen consuming city in Japan
Yamagata Prefecture is known for its ramen, and Yamagata City is the city with the largest amount of ramen consumption in Japan. According to a “household survey” conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the annual consumption of ramen per household in FY2022 was 9.9 bowls of ramen, about twice the national average (5.0 bowls).
2・The number of ramen stores relative to the population is also the highest in Japan
The number of ramen stores nationwide is 24,257, or 19.22 per 100,000 population, but Yamagata Prefecture boasts an overwhelming 57.92 per 100,000 population, followed by Niigata Prefecture in second place with 37.73 and Fukushima Prefecture in third place with 32.76. This data shows that Yamagata has by far the largest number of ramen shops.
Reference: https://todo-ran.com/t/kiji/11806
3・Lots of fans visit not only locally but also from outside the prefecture
Yamagata’s ramen has a rich individuality and has had a great influence on the history of ramen. This gives the noodles a unique texture and firmness. It is said that this “chijire-men” originated in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.
There is also a type of ramen called “cold ramen,” which originally consists of boiled noodles in a hot soup, but as the name suggests, the noodles and soup are cold. People who are unaware of the existence of this ramen often confuse it with “Hiyashi Chuka”, but “cold ramen” and “Hiyashi Chuka” are completely different things. “Cold ramen” tastes just like regular soy sauce ramen, but it is made cold without sacrificing the deliciousness of the ramen. Of course, this “cold ramen” originated in Yamagata.
Yamagata’s summers are extremely hot and humid, and hot food is not something one wants to eat very often.
Yamagata is also home to many other unique ramen stores, attracting the attention of ramen lovers from outside the prefecture.
In addition, the fact that Yamagata has the largest number of ramen stores in Japan inevitably leads to fierce competition, and stores that do not offer the best ramen are quickly eliminated.
4・Improvement of Yamagata City’s Ramen Culture
Declaration of Yamagata City as a Ramen Kingdom” and establishment of the “Yamagata City Ramen Association
Yamagata City has focused its efforts on promoting the attractiveness of ramen by drawing attention as a “ramen hot spot. Subsequently, ramen stores and lovers in the city got together to establish the Yamagata City Ramen Association, which holds various events and activities.
Yamagata City has also created a pamphlet called “Yamagata City Ramen Map” to introduce ramen stores in the city. This map is a convenient source of information for those who visit ramen shops in the city.
Promoting Ramen Restaurant tours by issuing “Yamagata City Ramen Coupons
Yamagata City also issues “Yamagata City Ramen Coupons” to promote visiting ramen shops.
These coupons make it easy to visit ramen stores in the city. In addition, ramen stores are actively participating in campaigns using the ramen coupons, and other efforts are being made to revitalize ramen shop tours.
The “Yamagata City Ramen Ticket” is an excellent tool for enjoying the charms of Yamagata City to the fullest, and is an item that ramen lovers should try at least once.
5・Shops recommended for foreigners who want to try ramen.
・Tasty restaurants are here.
・How to order (glossary)
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