Nasu Shiobara City is located in the northern part of Tochigi Prefecture.
Dairy farming and industry are thriving in this city, and it is also well-known as a hot spring resort, with hot springs gushing out in the mountainous areas.

In addition, Shiobara Onsenkyo, which has a history of over 1000 years, has a local gourmet dish that is popular among tourists. This time, we will introduce the appeal of soup-flavored fried noodles, which you should try at least once when you visit Shiobara Onsen.

What is Nasu Shiobara's soup fried noodles?

Soup-flavored fried noodles, which have been popular in Shiobara Onsen for over 50 years, are a local delicacy with a unique twist: fried sauce fried noodles are topped with hot soy sauce soup.
It looks like ramen, but the combination of soy sauce soup and fried noodles gradually changes the flavor to create a unique taste.

At first glance, yakisoba and soup may seem like an incompatible combination, but the chicken bone-based soy sauce soup is a flavor that goes well with the sauce-flavored yakisoba.

But what is the hidden story behind the creation of this mysterious soup-based yakisoba?

The history and origin of soup-based yakisoba

In Shiobara Onsen, there are two restaurants known as the originators of soup-based yakisoba, each of which is said to have its own unique roots.

One of them is said to have been thought up by the previous owner over the course of three years in the 1950s, and is said to have started out by offering ramen together with yakisoba, which was a popular delivery option at the time. At the time, there was no plastic wrap, and ramen soup would often spill.

The other one is said to be named after the secret menu of a restaurant that once existed in Shiobara.
Apparently the restaurant originally used ramen noodles to make yakisoba, and on the secret menu they had a dish called yakisoba with soup. The current owner was taught how to make it, and it is said that he developed the current flavor through trial and error.

What both restaurants have in common is that they use local highland vegetables and water nurtured by the nature of Tochigi. Soup-flavored yakisoba, which allows you to enjoy Tochigi's ingredients and bounty to the fullest, may have been a local gourmet dish that was destined to be born.

Besides these two shops, there are other soup yakisoba shops in the hot spring town, so be sure to find your favorite one.

Ingredients and recipe for Yakisoba with Soup

The ingredients for soup yakisoba include plenty of cabbage and meat, and depending on the restaurant it may be topped with naruto fish or pickled ginger.

They also consider the texture and appearance of the noodles when they are in the soup, and use ramen noodles or thin, curly noodles that mix well with the soup, showing how much they value the compatibility between the soup and noodles.

The recipe for this soup-flavored yakisoba is very simple. Place the stir-fried sauce yakisoba in a bowl and pour plenty of soy sauce soup over it to finish. Alternatively, gently place the stir-fried yakisoba in hot soy sauce soup to finish.

It looks like a nostalgic soy sauce ramen, but you can enjoy the exquisite harmony of each dish, including the savory flavor of the sauce fried noodles, crunchy vegetables, and the comforting soup.

The deliciousness and appeal of soup-based yakisoba

The soup yakisoba is visually impressive, but its greatest attraction is the changing flavors of the special sauce yakisoba and soup.

First, you can enjoy the deliciousness of the spicy yakisoba sauce and then the flavorful chicken bone soup.

Next, gradually mix the yakisoba with the soup, and you'll find yourself becoming addicted to the spicy sauce yakisoba and mellow soy sauce soup as you continue to eat.

It's delicious just as it is, but you can also enjoy different flavors with soup-flavored yakisoba. By adding pepper, shichimi pepper, or vinegar, you can enjoy a refreshing aftertaste or a spicy kick.

It is also said to be delicious if you add some rice at the end.
It is no exaggeration to say that the true joy of soupy yakisoba lies here; the sour and spicy soup goes perfectly with rice, and if you add any leftover yakisoba on top, you'll be able to savor it until the last bite.
Please try it in any way you like.

Difference from Tsuyu Yakisoba

Kuroishi City in Aomori Prefecture has a local delicacy called "Tsuyu Yakisoba." It is made by pouring Japanese-style soba soup or ramen soup over thick, flat noodles seasoned with a sweet and spicy sauce.

The difference between this and soup-based yakisoba is in the toppings. Kuroiwa Tsuyu Yakisoba is typically topped with plenty of fried tempura bits and spring onions.

Access to Shiobara Onsen

From here, we will introduce how to access Shiobara Onsenkyo. If you are coming from Tokyo, you can get there by JR express bus, Shinkansen, or bus.

If you use the JR highway bus, you can board the highway bus that goes directly to Shiobara Onsen from Shinjuku Station New South Exit or Oji Station. It costs 3,300 yen one way and 5,750 yen round trip without transfers, and it's a good deal because it goes to the bus stop near your accommodation.

If you are traveling by train and bus, you can take the JR Shinkansen "Yamabiko" or "Nasuno". It takes about 70 minutes from Tokyo to Nasu-Shiobara Station. From the west exit of JR Nasu-Shiobara Station, take a bus bound for Shiobara Onsen Bus Terminal, and it takes about 65 minutes.

If you are using the Tobu line, you can also take the Tobu Limited Express Spacia. It takes about 2 hours from Tobu Asakusa Station to Kinugawa Onsen. From there, take the Yaseki Railway Aizu Kinugawa Line to Kami-Miyori Shiobara Onsenguchi Station. It takes about 35 minutes to get there.
From there, a city bus (Yu-bus) departs and it takes about 20 minutes to get to Shiobara Onsen Bus Terminal.

The fare is cheap and you can enjoy a relaxed trip. Please try to visit this route that is easy to get to.

At the entrance to Shimabara Onsenkyo, you'll also find the popular Momijidani Suspension Bridge. This 320m pedestrian-only suspension bridge spans Shiobara Dam, where you can enjoy the fresh greenery of spring and the beautiful autumn foliage around November. Be sure to enjoy the spectacular 360-degree aerial walk.

Location of Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced the local gourmet food of Nasu Shiobara, Yakisoba with soup.

This local delicacy, which consists of sweet and spicy fried noodles in piping hot soy sauce soup, may look innovative, but there is a great deal of depth to how it is eaten, making it the perfect dish to commemorate your visit to the hot spring resort.

Be sure to try the appetizing combination of fragrant fried noodles and soy sauce soup.

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