Astonishingly enough, the third largest city in Japan, known for the Doutombori eating street and its varied and delectable cuisine, has no distinct style of ramen to call its own. Instead, Osaka has numerous, highly individualized ramen shops that are known for their creativity and originality, much like the general perception of Kansai residents themselves as regarded by native Japanese.

Tenri, a city located in nearby Nara, may be the closest one can come to a distinctly Kansai version of ramen. A chicken base is used for the soup, and it is seasoned with garlic and apparently honey. Hakusai (napa cabbage) is a popular topping, whether plain fried or pickled as kimchi. Nira Kimchi (pickled leeks) is also a common garnish, as is okoge or burnt rice. Yet, these are but a few examples of the creative and highly varied ways in which Kansai-area shops serve their ramen.

<< wakayama ramen |

ramen styles index

| kyoto ramen >>