Japan

Daihachi in Nagasaki is famous for its Champon, a hearty noodle soup with roots in Chinese cuisine, created for Chinese students in the early 1900s. Unlike traditional ramen, Champon’s toppings—pork, seafood, and vegetables—are stir-fried in lard before the noodles and broth are added, allowing everything to cook together and soak up the broth’s rich flavors.

Kakuya isn’t actually a ramen restaurant; it’s more of a souvenir shop that also serves food. Located along the quiet old shopping street leading to the famous Yutoku Inari Shrine (one of the three great Inari shrines in Japan), you’ll find Kakuya on the main street. The shopfront displays a variety of local snacks and pastries, while a hidden corner signboard lists the food menu.

Hidden near the end of the food and shop alley in Saga train station is an unassuming ramen shop called Saga Ramen Ufufu. With huge signboards advertising student discounts, it effectively draws in students even outside of lunch hours. This cozy spot has become a popular hangout for young diners looking for a budget-friendly meal.

Nestled along the Main street of pottery town Arita, Hitofushi is a humble ramen shop that’s a lifesaver for many, as finding food around Kami-Arita station can be challenging despite its status as a tourist destination. For those hunting for your favourite Arita-ware or visiting the famous Porcelain Shrine (Sueyama Shinto Shrine), don’t miss the chance to try some Saga-style ramen served in local Arita ware.

Fukunoie is run by the noodle manufacturer Fukuyama Seimenjo, known for their high-quality ramen and udon noodles. Without saying, the quality of the noodles here is top-notch, but what really surprised us was the price.

Mongoi Ramen in Hiroshima stands out for its unique ramen offerings. The chef, originally from Kure, a port town in Hiroshima, brings his roots into his cooking, using predominantly seafood-based ingredients. This makes Mongoi Ramen a great choice for those seeking something different from the dominant Shoyu variants in the region.

Onomichi-style ramen, from the port city of Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, stands out for its distinctive flavor and rich ingredients. This ramen features a soy sauce-based dashi broth that’s clear and light yet packed with depth, thanks to pork back fat floating on the surface, adding a subtle richness.

Chuka Soba Gaba is a well-known ramen chain in Hiroshima, famed for their “Chuka Soba.” Hiroshima-style ramen, often called “Hiroshima chuka soba,” is notable for its rich, flavorful broth. This broth blends a soy sauce base with pork bone (tonkotsu) broth, creating a hearty yet light taste.

Nabeyaki Ramen is a distinctive style from Kochi City, particularly the Susaki area. This ramen is traditionally served in a clay pot, making it unique compared to standard bowls. Known for its robust flavor and comforting qualities, the broth is typically a rich, savory soy sauce-based chicken soup. It’s topped with mature chicken meat (oyadori) for stronger flavor and a raw egg, which can be mixed in or used as a dip.