Have you heard of Kitakata Ramen, a local B-class gourmet dish from Fukushima Prefecture that is popular nationwide?

This ramen is now widely sold not only in Fukushima Prefecture but also in supermarkets across the country, and is characterized by its slightly thick, chewy noodles.

Today, we will explain the characteristics and history of Kitakata ramen, as well as the charms of Fukushima Prefecture and Kitakata City.

Please read to the end.

What is "Kitakata Ramen," the local B-class gourmet food of Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture?

"Kitakata Ramen" is a local ramen that originated in Kitakata city in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture.
The most distinctive feature of Kitakata ramen is its curly noodles, which are cut using cutting blades measuring no. 12 or no. 14.

The thick noodles are chewy yet soft, and go perfectly with the soup. You'll be enthralled by its deliciousness and want seconds after each bite.

The standard soup base is soy sauce or tonkotsu, but what's great about Kitakata ramen is that depending on the store, there are different flavors, such as soup made with dried sardines, miso flavor, or salt flavor.

Fukushima Prefecture is a cold region during the winter, so Kitakata ramen is a dish that is often eaten at this time of year, as it warms and soothes both the body and soul.

Kitakata ramen is also considered one of the three great ramen in Japan, and has many die-hard fans among celebrities who appear on TV.

The history of Kitakata Ramen, a local B-class gourmet food from Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture

The history of Kitakata Ramen, a local B-class gourmet dish from Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, dates back to the end of the Taisho period and the early Showa period.

At that time, there were almost no ramen shops in the city, and a young man from China played a charumera and pulled a cart selling ramen (Chinese noodles).

This is said to be the origin of Kitakata ramen.

Kitakata ramen has a long history and has been enjoyed by many people across generations, passing on to the present day.

The secret behind the deliciousness of Kitakata Ramen, a local B-class gourmet dish from Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture

Kitakata Ramen, a local B-class gourmet dish from Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, is not just delicious because it has a long history and uses high-quality noodles.

The big secret of Kitakata ramen lies in its water.

Kitakata City is a place where fresh, delicious water is available, and the melting snow from Mt. Iide gives the soup a sharp taste and enhances the freshness of the noodles.

In addition, Kitakata noodles are originally made with a high water content, known as "matured, high-hydration noodles," which is over 40% compared to the usual water content of 30%.

Also, don't overlook the fact that the noodles are very thick, flat, and curly, which helps to cover up the fact that they tend not to cling to the soup well, and that the ingredients are simple, which allows the flavor of the noodles and soup to stand out even more.

About Kitakata City's Features and Access

From here, let's take a look at Kitakata City, the birthplace of Kitakata ramen.

Located in the northwest of Fukushima Prefecture, this relatively small town boasts a population of 42,406. It borders Aizuwakamatsu City and Yonezawa City in Yamagata Prefecture, and is a place where you can feel the history of the town, with many storehouses and quaint streets.

What was once written as "Kitakata" became "Kitakata," and the towns of Yamato, the soba village, and Takasato, the fossil village, merged to form the city of Kitakata.

Kitakata City has an inland climate typical of a basin, with hot and humid summers and bitterly cold winters, sometimes with heavy snowfall.

As mentioned earlier, the city has an established reputation for its water. The surrounding area is home to vast primeval beech forests, and several underground streams originating from Mt. Iimori (1,585m above sea level), one of the 100 famous mountains of Aizu that is linked to the sacred Mt. Iide, which is perpetually snow-capped, flow into the Iimorizawa River, and serve as the source of Kitakata City's tap water.

Because of the abundant water sources, the area boasts a wealth of gourmet food, and many tourists come to enjoy it.

Kitakata City is located about a four hour drive or three hour by train from Tokyo, and you can also get there by plane via Fukushima Airport.

It is just over two hours by car from Sendai, or about two hours and 40 minutes by train.
It takes just under two and a half hours by train from Niigata Prefecture in the Hokuriku region.

Finally, regarding tourist attractions in Kitakata city, I would like to highly recommend the Aizu Kitakata Ramenkan, named after the local B-class gourmet food, Kitakata ramen.

This is a ramen product center built by a ramen manufacturer, where you can purchase a wide variety of souvenirs, including Kitakata ramen and rice bowls.

Another must-see is Nanokamachi Street, which has an irresistible retro feel that evokes history, with storehouse-style shops and Western-style buildings lining the street.

And "Iimoriyama" mentioned earlier is a small hill, and the graves of the 19 Byakkotai soldiers are visited by as many as 2 million tourists a year. There are walking trails and slope conveyors to the top of the mountain, and the view from the top is truly spectacular.

Location of Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture

summary

Today, we explained about "Kitakata Ramen," a local B-class gourmet dish from Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture.

It has one of the most delicious ramen in Japan and is also home to the charming city of Kitakata, which attracts many visitors every year.

Fukushima Prefecture is a very beautiful place in Tohoku, so if you haven't been there yet, I highly recommend you go and enjoy the food.

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