Taichung Yoyokuma Ramen Shop – Chicken Bone Ramen Infused with Zesty Yuzu Aroma

Orange Dog Loves Sweets

In recent years, after many Japanese ramen chains aggressively expanded into Taiwan by opening branches, this past year has seen a surge in locally-run Taiwanese street-style ramen shops. However, compared to the ramen craze of a few years ago, the flavors these days have become somewhat more homogenized, leaning closer to Japanese-style tastes. This article introduces 【Yoyokuma Ramen】, located on Xitun Road right next to the National Museum of Natural Science. You can easily spot it from afar. Though it may not look like much at first glance, this place has been around for quite a while. It’s especially popular among locals nearby. More often than not, you’ll see groups of friends gathered here. But what makes this place truly special is that it’s not just your typical greasy spoon joint. There’s also a small menu board near the entrance where customers leave recommendations, so I thought I’d check that out as well. I also wanted to learn a bit more about the place from the regulars around me.

‘Kuro Chochin Yakitori Izakaya’ gets pretty good reviews online, but this Yoyokuma Ramen spot is honestly even more down-to-earth. I came across a review that caught my attention, and now that I’ve tried the ramen here myself, I feel like the current scene in Taichung really does have some solid offerings. The atmosphere here is incredibly laid-back. If you’re used to the more polished, high-end ramen spots, the contrast might surprise you. But I actually kind of like it. There’s something refreshingly genuine about this place. And if you take a look at the handwritten recommendations posted nearby, you might get curious enough to check the place out for yourself.

This ramen shop is tucked under a sign that reads ‘Yakiniku (Grilled Meat) Shop,’ right at the bustling intersection of Xitun Road and Jianxing Road. Motorbikes can find parking relatively easily, though it’s not ideal to park right in front of the shop since it’s on a turn. For cars, you’ll need to find parking along Jianxing Road. The stall itself isn’t very big, and while most people choose to sit right next to the cooking counter (which has a certain charm), there are also seating options under the covered walkway and inside the indoor area.

Sitting right next to the cooking counter means you’re close to the noodle boiling station, so it gets pretty warm. The indoor dining area, which has air conditioning, is naturally more comfortable. But honestly, the staff here are super friendly—you can chat about all sorts of things while you eat. That’s the kind of relaxed, casual vibe you get when eating at a street-side ramen stand.

the first sip hits you with a strong intensity, followed by a deep Hua Diao aroma and a salty flavor. Flavor-wise, it’s actually quite good, but I have to say—the saltiness stands out a bit too much. It’s not that it’s unbearably salty, but rather an issue of balance. In Japan, ramen is often rich and salty, but those elements are usually well-balanced. Here, the saltiness in each bite felt a little too sharp. Could it be because of the soy sauce? Still, I finished the bowl out of habit. (Just my personal take.)

As for the noodles, it seems chicken bone ramen here only comes with thin noodles. I went with ‘firm,’ which was okay—the staff said they could make them even firmer if I wanted.

【Yuzu Salt Ramen │ Thin Noodles, Firm, Rich │ NT$140】

I have a hard time resisting anything with a ‘yuzu’ flavor, so whenever I’m in Tokyo, I always have to get a bowl from AFURI. Naturally, when I saw ‘Yuzu’ on the menu here, I had to give it a try. The broth was much more refreshing compared to the Hua Diao soy sauce version, and with every sip, you could enjoy a bright yuzu aroma alongside a hint of fatty richness. It’s a pretty likable flavor profile.

But the ‘saltiness’ was similar to the previous bowl—maybe that’s just their style. That said, I don’t think it tasted bad. It’s just that I personally felt there was one aspect of the flavor balance that stood out to me. But I didn’t try the chashu in this bowl, so I just took a quick photo for reference.

Honestly, this was just a casual tryout. There’s no definitive answer to what ramen broth *should* taste like—each shop has its own unique style and balance. But in terms of flavor and richness, this Yoyokuma Ramen spot is definitely more unique than I expected. Though it doesn’t have the polished finesse of high-end ramen shops, the taste and atmosphere here are quite enjoyable. The environment isn’t too loud, and it’s not overly crowded either. Though it’s not a traditional Japanese-style ramen shop, it still has its own charm. Definitely worth checking out if you’re curious.

[Yoyokuma Ramen – National Museum of Natural Science | West District]
Address: No. 940-1, Jianxing Rd., North District, Taichung City (Intersection with Xitun Road)
Phone: 04-23726557
Business Hours: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Note: Closed on Tuesdays. Takeout available.

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