麺辰 (Mentatsu in Yamagata)

0 Reviews

麺辰

Yamagata Prefecture has a few styles of ramen, with chickeny shoyu being prevalent. I suppose this would be Yonezawa-style, though I get in trouble on occasion for mislabeling ramen styles. Mentatsu, after all, is located in Yamagata City, and not Yonezawa City. The two cities are about 30 minutes away from each other on the Yamagata bullet train.

The menu, like the shop itself, is rather large. Chicken ramen, chukasoba, tantanmen, and some different cold noodle dishes. There is also a slew of toppings and side menu items. It’s almost like a family restaurant for ramen. While I normally slurp in silence and then leave, I wouldn’t feel bad perusing the massive manga collection for an extended dinner with a beer and gyoza. The signature item is the Tottsuan Ramen, but it is limited to 20 bowls a day.

And I managed to snag one.

Rich chicken soup with a dashi punch. The bowl is positively brimming with soup. So much so that it was spilling onto the saucer underneath. Be careful slurping this one. The notable layer of hot oil on the top means the underlying soup is . . . well . . . hot. Don’t splash this one on yourself!

Of course, the usual suspects have all been here and autographed the wall plaques. Being one of the only foreign ramen hunters in Japan, I get asked to sign one about three times a year. Notice me senpai!

ケンチャンラーメン (Kenchan Ramen in Yamagata)

ケンチャンラーメン Kenchan is a famous shop in Yamagata City that has ramen fans split. Some love it, others hate it.…

中華そば処琴平荘 (Konpiraso in Yamagata Prefecture)

中華そば処琴平荘 Konpiraso is one of the toughest ramen shops for a ramen hunter to crush a bowl at. It…

のり一 (Noriichi in Kagoshima)

のり一ラーメン The last road trip of the season (my other job is as a children's event performer) was to the…