Kitakata Ramen

Kitakata Ramen (喜多方ラーメン) originated in Kitakata City in Fukushima Prefecture around 1930. At that time, there were no ramen shops in the city. However, a young man named Pan Kinsei, who came from Zhejiang Province in China, began selling shina soba from a mobile food cart. He did not keep the recipes secret for the noodles or soup, making them spread. After World WarⅡ, ramen shops gradually started to open, and there are approximately 90 restaurants in the city today, including long-established shops which have preserved their original flavors for over 60 years, and others which offer English menus for foreign visitors. 

Kitakata city is also known for the "Town of Warehouse", with a long history of soy sauce, miso, and Japanese sake brewing. This local background greatly contributed to the development of Kitakata Ramen. The city also has a unique culture called "morning ramen"(朝ラー), which began as a breakfast for night-shift factory workers and migrant workers returning home in winter. 

Today, Kitakata Ramen is more than just a meal. Rather, it represents the city's history and culture cherished by local people and visitors. In 2024, Kitakata City established "Ramen Day" to promote local revitalization through ramen. The photo on the right shows the ribbon-cutting ceremony held to celebrate the creation of Ramen Day.