[Okayama] The much talked about Kasaoka ramen! We visited 6 locally popular restaurants

• Table of Contents
• What is Kasaoka Ramen?
• 1. Sakamoto
• 2. Idehara
• 3. Yama-chan
• 4. Kasakita
• 5. Menya Harle
• 6. Ajidokoro Eishimaru

What is Kasaoka Ramen?

Traditional Kasaoka ramen is topped with soy sauce soup made from chicken stock, chashu from the parent chicken (rather than pork), menma, and green onions. Kasaoka City has been prosperous in poultry farming and noodle making since before the war, and it is said that ramen topped with chicken chashu, which is rare even in Japan, was born. Many of the stores have a time-honored appearance that fits the expression ``Chinese soba,'' and are frequented by regulars. It is the perfect place to experience the deep side of Kasaoka.

1. Sakamoto

A popular restaurant with many saying, ``When you think of Kasaoka ramen, you think of Sakamoto! You should definitely try it!'' It's near Kasaoka station. Founded in 1958, the restaurant is currently run by the second generation owner. It seems that there are customers from all over the country. The oldest Kasaoka ramen, this is Kasaoka ramen! A cup that follows the royal road. The flavor of the clear chicken soy sauce soup, the more delicious the parent chicken (kashiwa) you can chew, and the aroma of the large green onions. It was lighter than it looked, and I ate it deliciously till the end. The image is average. There are other large portions, and that's all there is to the menu. It is cool!

The restaurant was originally a butcher shop specializing in chicken, and the restaurant was originally opened as a Chinese noodle restaurant next door. Even in the Reiwa era, the store's appearance and interior atmosphere retains a nostalgic feel from the Showa era. Just like a Chinese noodle shop!

I was able to see how they make boiled chicken and soup in the kitchen. The flavor of the chicken is brought out in a large pot.

Address: 34-9 Kasaoka Chuocho, Kasaoka City

Business hours: around 9:30-14:30

Closed: Thursdays, Sundays, and holidays

TEL: 0865-63-6454

Sakamoto | Ramen town Kasaoka

2. Idehara

Like Sakamoto, Ihara is also a popular restaurant located near the station. In the questionnaire, many people said, ``I love Idehara!'' When I went there during my lunch break, there was a line! I went there again in the evening.

The menu here also has only two types: medium and large. I ordered the average. The soup had a strong chicken flavor, and when I told her, ``It's rich and delicious! No wonder it's so popular,'' she said, ``Chicken alone can make it so delicious.'' Sakamoto and Idehara are right nearby, so you can choose which store to go to depending on the crowd and business hours.

Address: 2827 Kasaoka, Kasaoka City

Business hours: 11:30-15:00, 17:00-21:00 *Also open from 15:00-17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays

Closed: Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday)

TEL: 0865-63-7667

Ihara｜Ramen town Kasaoka

3. Yama-chan

I heard that Kasaoka Ramen Shop is open from 5am, so I went there just after 5am. People who work at the port or market come here early to eat breakfast. Exactly the "morning ra" culture! On this day, there were already three customers at 5am. I was able to relax and chat with the host, and it felt like home.

The sea is right in front of you. Due to its coastal location, many motorcyclists come here for touring, and there were many photos of motorbikes and customers posted inside the store.

Although it is the classic Kasaoka ramen, the chicken (kashiwa) is sliced ​​thinner than other restaurants, making it easier for people like me with weak jaws to eat. One man even commented, ``The large portion is so filling!'' Yama-chan also has a rice menu, so it's recommended for those who want a hearty meal. Please come and experience Kasaoka's Asara culture for yourself.

Address: 2369-37 Kasaoka, Kasaoka City

Business hours: 5:00-15:00 Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays (open on holidays)

*You may be temporarily absent due to your physical condition etc.

TEL: 0865-60-0256

Yama-chan｜Ramen town Kasaoka

4. Kasakita

I heard that there was a Kasaoka ramen restaurant in Ibara City that was reputed to be delicious, so I went there. The location is in the Ibara city area, very close to the Tanaka Museum of Art. The store just opened in 2016, so both the exterior and interior were shiny.

I ordered ramen and was surprised when it appeared! The parent bird (kashiwa) and the noodles line up perfectly, making it look like art. Truly “beautiful Kasaoka ramen”! The husband apparently trained in Sakamoto, Kasaoka City. The taste was classic, and the hearty portions of the chicken and chicken broth went perfectly with the straight noodles.

The ``self-checkout machine'' (customers insert money and if they need change, they get it from the box), which is often seen at Kasaoka ramen shops, is still in use. Chicken chashu is also available for sale, although it may not be available depending on the day. It is said to be very popular due to its deliciousness and value. If you see one, you're lucky, so be sure to buy it.

Address: 323-4 Ibaramachi, Ibara City

Business hours: 10:00-14:00, 16:00-19:00

Regular holiday: Friday

TEL: 0866-63-4422

5. Menya Harle

At Menya Harure, a ramen shop in Kamogata, Asakuchi City, you can enjoy Kasaoka ramen (salt) without soy sauce. According to the shop owner, this is the only shop that serves salty Kasaoka ramen!

You can choose small, medium, or large servings of soy sauce and salt. Women will be happy that there is also a small size. I ordered the salt. If the taste was too weak, I was asked to add more, and water salt was also provided.

My first time eating salty Kasaoka ramen. Since the soup is light, you can really taste the flavor of the chicken. You can feel the deep wheat flavor of the noodles, and it's delicate and delicious!

For dessert, the fresh monaka ice cream from Patisserie Ciel, a nearby sweets shop, is refreshing.

Address: 4227-1 Kosaka Nishi, Kamogata-cho, Asakuchi City

Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00 (11:00-20:00 on Saturdays and Sundays)

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays (open if Monday is a holiday)

TEL: 0865-44-8114

Menya Harare｜facebook

6. Ajidokoro Eishimaru

I asked him, ``Could you tell me about a restaurant that serves delicious Kasaoka ramen?'' and he unexpectedly told me about the restaurant's secret menu. It seems that it was created as a final drink. It's a secret menu, so it's not written on the menu list, but when I asked, ``I heard you can eat Kasaoka ramen.Do you have that?'' they served it to me. Kasaoka ramen is topped with a soy sauce-based chicken stock and char siu of the parent bird (kashiwa), making it perfect for after-drinking! There was also pork chashu. ``Since we are not a ramen shop, there are days when we cannot serve ramen when there are many customers.'' My aim is weekdays.

This is a shop right next to Kasaoka Station that has a wide selection of Japanese sake and where you can enjoy Kasaoka's seafood. Koji pickled live shrimp caught in Kasaoka is a masterpiece that has been passed down from generation to generation. The spicy and plump shrimp was delicious and went well with the Japanese sake.

Address: 33-4 Chuocho, Kasaoka City

Business hours: 17:30-22:00

Closed: Sundays, holidays

TEL: 0865-62-2763

Ajidokoro Eiseimaru | Kasaoka, the city of ramen