Yamagata prefecture, located in northwestern Japan, boasts many unique restaurants. During summers, hiyashi ramen is a popular local specialty, and Yamagata-style hiyashi ramen was first popularized in a ramen shop named "Sakae-ya."

Somewhat similar in appearance to other forms of ramen, Yamagata hiyashi ramen features a cold broth, and may well have derived its inspiration from the Korean naeng-myun found just across the sea of Japan. Like the popular Korean noodle dish, Yamagata hiyashi broth is beef-based, made from boullion cubes and resulting in a clear, very elegantly flavored soup. Very thin, al dente but curly noodles are used.

Yamagata ramen shops are also know for topping their noodles with a variety of rather uncommon items, such as beef or pork intestines, as found in the motsu ramen of Shinjo City and nikuchuka of Kahoku-cho. In Nagaishi City, horsemeat ramen can also be found.


photo by piri

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