Tenri ramen is a local B-class gourmet food from Tenri City, Nara Prefecture. Popular among locals, Tenri ramen is a hearty stamina ramen.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Tenri ramen.

Characteristics of Tenri Ramen

Tenri ramen is based on a garlic soy sauce-based spicy soup. The noodles used vary depending on the restaurant, but they are neither thin nor thick. The noodles have a wheat flavor and are topped with plenty of Chinese cabbage.

It has a slightly spicy taste, but you can also taste the sweetness of the Chinese cabbage, and it has a rich, savory flavor that is addictive. You can also enjoy the crunchy texture of the Chinese cabbage. The flavor of the soup fills your mouth with each bite of the vegetables.

The birthplace of Tenri ramen

The restaurant said to be the originator of Tenri ramen is "Saika Ramen." "Saika Ramen" started as a food stall in Tenri City in 1968. Since its establishment, customers have called it "Tenri Ramen," and ramen topped with Chinese cabbage has been popular.

Saika Ramen uses ingredients such as Chinese cabbage, carrots, Chinese chives, and pork in a secret garlic soy sauce soup. It is made spicy with "rajang" (spicy sauce) imported directly from Sichuan Province, China, the home of chili peppers, giving it a unique flavor that can't be found anywhere else. It uses thin noodles made in-house, developed in our own noodle factory.

Saika Ramen not only serves "Saika Ramen (Tenri Ramen)", but also soy sauce ramen and salt ramen.

A popular restaurant on par with the original Tenri ramen

Another must-see is Tenri Stamina Ramen, a popular restaurant that rivals Saika Ramen. Tenri Stamina Ramen, popularly known as "Tensta", was founded in 1980.

The founder started serving ramen at the end of live shows at a jazz live house in Shin-Omiya, Nara. The ramen he developed became so popular that he started a food stall in Miwa, Sakurai City.

"Tenri Stamina Ramen" has a lighter, creamier taste than Saika Ramen. The deliciousness of Tenri Stamina Ramen is created by carefully selecting ingredients and manufacturing methods. The original soup is made with pork bone soup that has been simmered for a long time and the flavor of vegetables.

The homemade noodles, which contain egg and are designed to mix well with the soup, have just the right amount of sweetness and a chewy texture.

Tenri Stamina Ramen also has a unique way of making it. The pork and Chinese cabbage are fried before being added, which brings out the flavor of each ingredient and gives the soup a subtle aroma.

Nara Tourist Information

Nara, the ancient center of Japan, is home to many buildings and Buddhist statues that have been designated as World Heritage Sites. Here are three popular tourist spots where you can experience the nature and history of Nara.

Horyu-ji Temple

"Horyu-ji Temple" is a temple built by Prince Shotoku during the Asuka period.

Along with Himeji Castle in Hyogo, it was the first Japanese site to be designated a World Heritage Site. The vast grounds of Horyuji Temple are divided into two parts, the Western Temple and the Eastern Temple. The main Western Temple is famous for being the oldest surviving wooden building complex in the world.

In addition, Horyuji Temple has plenty to see, with around 200 national treasures and important cultural properties.

Nara Park

Nara Park, which spreads across the eastern part of Nara city, is a vast park covering approximately 600 hectares.

It is a popular tourist spot where you can interact with deer, and many tourists from overseas visit. There are an astounding 1,300 deer in the area. The sight of a herd of deer is overwhelming.

Nara Park is also known as the "Historical Park" because it is adjacent to World Heritage sites such as Todaiji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and the National Museum.

Naramachi Lattice House

The Naramachi Lattice House is a tourist spot that recreates a traditional townhouse from Naramachi. The building is divided into the main house, courtyard, annex, and storehouse.

It is characterized by its narrow entrance and deep depth. You can feel the way people lived in the past and experience the atmosphere. It is free to enter, so it is recommended as a place to take a break from your walk. There are benches and toilets in the rest area.

There are also many places to eat around the Naramachi Lattice House.

How to get to Nara

There are various ways to access Nara. Here are some recommended ways to access the area. Travel time may vary depending on the season and weather.

If you are heading to Nara from Kansai Airport or Itami Airport in Osaka, you can take a direct bus and arrive in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you are heading from JR Osaka Station to JR Nara Station, it will take about 50 minutes.

If you are heading to Nara from Tokyo on the JR line, you will arrive in about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Take the train from JR Tokyo Station to JR Kyoto Station (about 2 hours and 45 minutes), and then from JR Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station (about 45 minutes).

If you take the JR train from Nagoya to Nara, it will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Take the train from JR Nagoya Station to JR Kyoto Station (about 30 minutes), and from JR Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station (about 1 hour).

If you are heading from Kobe to Nara, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Hanshin Kobe-Sannomiya Station to Kintetsu Nara Station.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Nara. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Tenri City, Nara Prefecture

summary

Tenri Ramen, topped with Chinese cabbage, is popular among locals. The most popular are "Saika Ramen" and "Tenri Stamina Ramen." When you want a hearty meal, "Saika Ramen" is recommended, and when you want something light, "Tenri Stamina Ramen" is recommended.

The flavor of Tenri ramen varies depending on the restaurant. It is served at restaurants other than ramen shops, so you can have fun trying different varieties.

If you visit Nara, be sure to try Tenri Ramen.

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