5 Representative Types of Niigata Ramen

Ramen (ラーメン) is quintessential Japanese comfort food that has become popular not only in Japan but also in many countries around the world.

As for its variety, many regions of Japan have their local ramen, among which Sapporo Ramen, Kitakata Ramen, and Hakata Ramen are generally known as Japan’s 3 Best Local Ramen.

Niigata Ramen (新潟ラーメン)

Regarding the prefecture where I live, Niigata (新潟), there are five representative types of ramen here, which we call Niigata Ramen (新潟ラーメン) as a whole.

And today, for people who have not heard of the regional ramen, I will give an overview.

1. Niigata Assari Shoyu Ramen (新潟あっさり醤油ラーメン)

First, Niigata Assari Shoyu Ramen, literally Niigata Light Soy Sauce Ramen, is a type of Niigata Ramen you can enjoy in and around Niigata City.

This ramen uses thin, curly noodles, characterized by its light soy sauce-based dashi-rich broth with Niboshi flavor.

The dish has its roots in a bowl of ramen served by street food stalls in the early Showa period (Showa: 1926 to 1989), and Sankichiya is a well-established ramen shop that represents this type.

Sankichiya (三吉屋)

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Address: 5-829 Nishibori-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata Pref. (Google Maps)
Open: 11:00 to 16:00
Closed: Tuesdays

2. Niigata Noukou Miso Ramen (新潟濃厚味噌ラーメン)

Next, Niigata Noukou Miso Ramen, literally Niigata Rich Miso Ramen, is also a type of Niigata Ramen that has been a favorite through generations in and around Niigata City.

This type consists of extremely thick wheat noodles in a rich miso-flavored broth topped with plenty of vegetables, accompanying a bowl of soup stock to dilute the taste of the ramen soup.

And Komadori is a nationally famous ramen restaurant that represents this type.

Komadori (こまどり)

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Address: 2454-1 Takeno-Machi, Nishikan-Ku, Niigata City, Niigata Pref. (Google Maps)
Open: 11:00 to 15:00, 16:30 to 19:00
Closed: Thursdays

3. Tsubame Sanjo Seabura Ramen (燕三条背脂ラーメン)

Tsubame Sanjo Seabura Ramen, literally Tsubame Sanjo Backfat Ramen, is a type of Niigata Ramen that originated around Sanjo (三条) and Tsubame (燕) cities.

This type consists of extremely thick noodles in a soy sauce-based flavorful Niboshi soup.

The ramen’s main characteristic is plenty of pork backfat covering the surface of the soup, and Shumentei Jun is among the best ramen restaurants offering this type.

Shumentei Jun (酒麺亭 潤)

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Address: 464-12 Komaki, Tsubame City, Niigata Pref. (Google Maps)
Open: (Weekdays) 11:00 to 15:00, 17:00 to 21:00 (Saturday & Sunday) 11:00 to 21:00
Closed: Tuesdays

4. Nagaoka Shoga Shoyu Ramen (長岡生姜醤油ラーメン)

Next, Nagaoka Shoga Shoyu Ramen, literally Nagaoka Ginger Soy Sauce Ramen, is a type of Niigata Ramen that’s long been a favorite in and around Nagaoka City.

This type features its deep-tasting, soy sauce-flavored broth accompanied by a faint fragrance of ginger, and Aoshima Shokudo is the originator of the ginger ramen.

Aoshima Shokudo (青島食堂)

Address: 3-5-3 Miyauchi, Nagaoka City, Niigata Pref. (Google Maps)
Open: 11:00 to 19:00

5. Sanjo Curry Ramen (三条カレーラーメン)

Last, Sanjo Curry Ramen is a type of Niigata Ramen you can enjoy in and around Sanjo City.

As its name indicates, this ramen has a deep flavor of curry that comes from several spices, featuring the savory umami of chicken and rice powder used in the soup.

With over 70 years of history, Sanjo Curry Ramen is Japan’s oldest curry ramen, and Ryushouen is among the ramen shops that sparked the boom.

Ryushouen (龍昇園)

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Address: 12-11 Motomachi, Sanjo City, Niigata Pref. (Google Maps)
Open: (Tuesday to Saturday) 11:00 to 14:30, 17:00 to 21:30 (Sunday) 11:00 to 15:00, 17:00 to 21:00
Closed: Mondays