Special report on Wakayama's popular ramen shops
Wakayama Ramen special feature
① Marusan
The soy sauce based 'soy sauce tonkotsu' is superb
POINT
Their Chuka-soba is served in a slightly thick soy sauce tonkotsu soup. It's a popular dish even though it's made from simple ingredients. Their rice is also perfect with their hayanare and maki sushi!
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Wakayama city Shioya 6-2-88 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 073-444-1971 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00～21:00 *Varies based on stock |
| Holidays | Sundays, Public Holidays |
*Please inquire for more details
② Wa Dining Seino Main Branch
The perfect balance between the soup and the thick homemade noodles are irresistible
POINT
Their menu might be light but it also has depth, starting with Kadocho's 'Takumi' soy sauce, there's Kinokuni free range chicken, Wakayama ramen, yuuta black and soup, the variety is plentiful. It's a very popular shop that always has a number of desperately queuing customers.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama city 5-18 Tomoda-cho Kintetsu Department store Wakayama store |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 073-433-1122 |
| Opening Hours | 10:00～19:00（Last orders 18:45） |
| Holidays | Conform to Kintetsu Department Store |
*For details please check the homepage
③ Chuka-Soba - Maruta-ya, Iwade Main Branch
Maruta-ya's specialty dish is their heavy looking but lightly flavored soy sauce tonkotsu soup
POINT
Their soup is prepared for over 8 hours to form an exquisite combination with their homemade medium-fine, straight noodles. Their specially prepared roasted pork fillet, made from Sangenton pork ribs is soaked to perfection with the mysterious flavors of Dare soy sauce.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Iwade city Naka-Ku 632-1 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-63-1245 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 – 24:00 (Last orders / 23:30） |
| Holidays | Open every day of the year (Excluding staff training days) |
*For details please check the homepage
④ Urashima
The strong flavor leaves quite the impact. This transient shop is only open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
POINT
Contrary to the strong aroma of tonkotsu that hits you the moment you enter this store, after trying one bite you'll be surprised at how delicate the flavor is. For Wakayama style tonkotsu ramen to be this easy to eat takes no shortage of time, effort and grit. As a result of that hard work, there's nothing left in these dishes but deliciousness. While this is a very well known shop among locals, the time and effort it takes to prepare the food means they only operate for two hours a day. You're going to want to make sure you leave room in your schedule for this.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Kinookawa city Hano 20-7 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-77-5473 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00～13:00 ※Sooner if they run out of soup |
| Holidays | Sundays, Public Holidays |
*Please inquire for more details
⑤ Shimasho
The best Chuka-Soba for your money
POINT
Rather than 'ramen' the term 'chuka-soba' is more appropriate for this rich soy sauce tonkotsu. Actually, the owner of this store learned his craft from the owner of the store we introduced above, (4) Urashima. The fragrance of the soy sauce and the strong smell of the tonkotsu really stirs up your appetite. This is Wakayama style ramen that's fit for a king.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Kinookawa city Shikishikawa cho Nagahara 102 Joyful San Marino |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-64-0710 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00～13:15 17：30~19：00 |
| Holidays | Tuesday (If a holiday, the next day instead) |
*Please inquire for more details
⑥ Ramen Bar Mikaeri
No shortage of oil here, now this is tonkotsu
POINT
Starting with the old reliable soy sauce tonkotsu, their menu includes a variety of dishes, including black chuka-soba and salt. As you might be able to tell from the name, this ramen shop doubles as a bar, so you can have a bowl of food alongside your drink.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Hashimoto shi city side 1 - chome 1-7 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-32-1176 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00～13:50(Last orders) 17:00～23:30(Last orders) |
| Holidays | Thursday |
*Please inquire for more details
⑦ Menya En
The shopkeepers' skills shine through in their yuzu and sesame ramen.
POINT
Starting with the yuzu and sesame ramen, their original menu also includes dishes such as tomato miso ramen as well as the more western style 'torikoro noodles'.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Hashimoto-shi, Otaru-dori 68 sing 1 F 3 issue |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-33-9510 |
| Opening Hours | Lunch 11:00～14:00(Last orders 13:50) Evening 17:00～23:00(Last orders 22:30) |
| Holidays | Wednesday |
*For details please check the homepage
⑧ Ramen Warehouse
A deep cup inside a warehouse
POINT
The menu here is focused entirely on soy sauce tonkotsu. This is quite the famous shop, even on TV. Opening times are extremely limited so it's necessary to confirm them in advance.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Ito-gun wigashi-cho Kasadanaka 735 |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 090-3035-0376 |
| Opening Hours | January to April (Can differ from year to year) Closing time either at 11 p.m. or sooner if they run out of soup |
| Holidays | Monday to Friday |
*For details please check the homepage
⑨ Raguman Katsuragi Shop
An Italian chef came up with the concept for this shop where their delicious ramen can even be eaten easily by women
POINT
Tom yum goong, carbonara, plums, green curry and more make up this shop's eccentric menu. Their old reliable dishes: soy sauce tonkotsu ramen and hotpot courses are also fantastic, so they always enjoy a huge number of customers here.
INFORMATION
| Address | Wakayama prefecture Ito-gun Ogaya 1169-6 Otari |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0736-22-1106 |
| Opening Hours | 11:30～14:00 / 17:30～22:30 |
| Holidays | Wednesday |
*For details please check the homepage
