Wakayama ramen is affectionately known as "Chuka Soba" by locals. The term "Wakayama ramen" became established nationwide after Wakayama's "Ide Shoten" won the TV program "Japan's Best Ramen Competition" broadcast in 1998.

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

Characteristics of Wakayama Ramen

The first thing to note is the bowl. The small bowls feature the traditional "three-color thunder pattern." The bowls are made with a smooth and rich pork bone and soy sauce soup and thin, straight noodles. The toppings are pork belly roast pork, bamboo shoots, green onions, and kamaboko fish cakes. Kamaboko fish cakes shaped like plum blossoms, a Wakayama specialty, are often used, adding a vibrant color to the dish.

In Wakayama ramen shops, it is standard to have boiled eggs and Hayanare sushi (pressed sushi with marinated mackerel) as side dishes. The boiled eggs and Hayanare sushi are placed on the table, so you can pick up and eat as much as you want. The refreshing Hayanare sushi resets your mouth and goes perfectly with Wakayama ramen. The style is to tell the waiter how many boiled eggs and Hayanare sushi you have eaten when paying the bill.

The History of Wakayama Ramen

Wakayama ramen is based on a pork bone and soy sauce soup, but it can be broadly divided into two types. The clear, dark ramen with soy sauce as the main ingredient is called the "Shakomae style," while the mild, cloudy ramen with pork bone as the main ingredient is called the "Ide style."

"Shako-mae" is the name of a tramway station that once existed. The history of Chinese noodles in Wakayama began with "Marutaka", a food stall at Shako-mae Station that was founded in 1940. At the time, when supplies were scarce, Koji Takamoto, the owner of "Marutaka", made soup stock by boiling dried bonito flakes and small sardines with soy sauce, and even made his own machines to make noodles.

Marutaka, which looks black because it is mainly soy sauce-based, has a light taste and a fragrant soy sauce aroma, and became popular. Other food stalls followed suit and started adding "Maru" to their names. Marutaka has been taken over by his sons, who are protecting the taste. According to Koji's wife, Junko, there were other food stalls that ran food stalls before Marutaka.

The other "Ide-style" ramen originated from "Ide Shoten", which was founded by Ide Tsuyako in 1953. Originally, "Ide Shoten" also served clear soup, but one day they overcooked the soup and it became cloudy. This resulted in a rich and delicious soup, so they started serving a rich tonkotsu soup, which became very popular.

After that, the "Ide style" spread mainly through the apprentices of Ide Shoten, but there are fewer shops compared to the "Garage-mae style". However, due to the influence of a TV program and the fact that it opened a shop at the "Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum", it seems that many people nationwide think of "Ide style" when they think of "Wakayama ramen".

Wakayama Tourism Information

Wakayama is rich in nature and has many tourist spots. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots.

Wakayama Castle

Wakayama Castle, the symbol of Wakayama Prefecture, was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the command of his younger brother Hidenaga. It is said to be the first modern castle built by master castle builder Todo Takatora. During the Edo period, it became a castle with a land area of 555,000 koku in Kishu, and has a long history as the residence of one of the Tokugawa Gosanke (three main families of the Tokugawa clan). The chalk-white castle tower stands on the lush green Mount Torafusu, and the stone walls are made with a lot of blue stone, a specialty of Kishu.

PortoEurope

"Porto Europa" located in Wakayama Marina City is a place where you can experience the European atmosphere. Porto Europa also has an amusement park zone where you can enjoy attractions. In addition to Porto Europa, Wakayama Marina City also has "Kuroshio Market", which holds tuna cutting shows, and "Kinokuni Fruit Village", which sells fresh fruits and vegetables from Wakayama.

Tomogashima Island

Tomogashima is an uninhabited island in the Kitan Strait. Originally used as a Japanese military base, Tomogashima still has many artillery batteries remaining. Its fantastical atmosphere gives you a taste of the world of "Castle in the Sky," and it is gaining in popularity. With the exception of a few areas, most of the buildings can be visited. It is also popular as a hiking course, and can be completed in about three hours. You can enjoy an exciting exploration.

How to get to Wakayama

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

If you are heading to Wakayama from Sapporo, Tokyo, Fukuoka, or Okinawa, first fly to Kansai International Airport. It takes about two hours by plane from Sapporo and Okinawa, and about one hour from Tokyo and Fukuoka.

If you take the limousine bus from Kansai International Airport, you will arrive at JR Wakayama Station in about 40 minutes. The limousine bus travel time and fare may be subject to change. The limousine bus fare from Kansai International Airport to all stops on the Wakayama Line is 1,400 yen for adults and 700 yen for children. If you take the limousine bus, you can get to JR Wakayama Station smoothly without having to transfer.

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

Location of Wakayama Prefecture

summary

Wakayama ramen, beloved by locals, can be broadly divided into two types: the "Garage-mae style," which is light and soy sauce-based, and the "Ide style," which has a rich, full-bodied flavor.

In addition to these, there are an increasing number of restaurants serving Wakayama ramen that do not fall into the "Shako-mae" or "Ide" categories. If you go around trying different types of Wakayama ramen, you may come across a unique Wakayama ramen.

If you visit Wakayama, be sure to try Wakayama Ramen.

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