Ranked in the top 3 among Japanese netizens’ favorites—Spicy Miso Ramen near Yamagata Station

Text and photos byUpper right 45-degree angle girl

Fine in summer, but during the freezing winter, you truly~~~ need a steaming bowl of hot ramen to warm your body and soul. With a high TABELOG score of 3.54, it ranks in the top three among ramen shops in Yamagata according to Japanese netizens’ rankings.

TABELOG Rating: 3.54 (A score above 3.5 is considered high; see [Useful Japanese Travel Websites] Tabelog (食べログ): An essential site for finding great food.http://serene1102.pixnet.net/blog/post/30705268)

Exit from the east gate of Yamagata Station, walk straight and turn right at the third traffic light—that’s “Ryushanhai” Ramen.

Ryushanhai has a total of 10 branches, most located in the Tohoku region, with only one in Yokohama. The shop’s signature “Spicy Miso Ramen” is a flavor created by the shop owner himself. The original store opened in 1958 (Showa 33), and it’s now managed by the third generation. Business was poor at the beginning, and the family used to eat leftover soup every day. It was then that the first-generation owner began experimenting with different seasonings, and after two years, one day he added “spicy miso” and discovered how delicious it was—thus creating this unique broth.

As usual, we saw the orange TABELOG sticker in the shop, signifying that Japanese netizens unanimously recognize this as a delicious spot.

The interior decoration has a somewhat Chinese flair, though it’s also quite worn down, reminiscent in a way of old ramen stalls in Taiwan. The peeling walls, cardboard patches on the floor—it all gave me a strong sense of being back in Taiwan...

Posters from magazine interviews were displayed on the walls, and it seemed that the must-order flavor was the “Super Spicy Miso.”

There weren’t many flavors—just four—and since we visited in the evening, only the first two remained: “Red Broth Spicy Miso Ramen” and “Handmade Chinese Soba.” The other two were sold out. This turned out to be a benefit—we didn’t have to think about which to order, so we just got one of each.

The toppings for the “Red Broth Spicy Miso Ramen” had a fairly Chinese touch, with the rare inclusion of cabbage. That lump of red chili sauce is the essence of the dish. The broth is a standard miso soup, the whole bowl gleaming with oil and full of vibe.

Before stirring the chili sauce into the broth, I took a sip to taste the original flavor. The broth looks rich, but it’s actually quite refreshing—probably because it’s still based on a soy-sauce-based stock. There's a slight viscosity on the tongue, with a mild saltiness yet soft taste.

Once the chili sauce is mixed in, a hint of spiciness emerges in the broth. But if you’re expecting the heat level of a spicy hotpot, you might be disappointed (laughs). I found that Japanese people aren’t usually big on spice—even in cold Yamagata, their version of “super spicy” doesn’t really end up being all that intense; it’s just mildly spicy to stimulate the taste buds.

The cabbage still had some crispness to it, having absorbed the essence of the broth, and biting into it gave a burst of juicy satisfaction.

The chashu pork was extremely tender and fatty—the kind that melts in your mouth. Definitely high-calorie and delightfully sinful. The noodles are the thick yellow curly type preferred in Chinese-style ramen, springy and refreshing.

The other bowl, “Handmade Chinese Soba,” looked dazzlingly appealing—don’t you think?

This one probably has a more original-tasting broth, with less miso concentration, making it even more fragrant and refreshingly mellow on the palate. Aside from the broth, the other toppings were similar to the signature “Red Broth Spicy Miso Ramen,” but with a bit more chopped green onions sprinkled on top, adding a unique aroma of Japanese scallions to the soup.

The noodles were again the thick yellow curly type, so not much difference there, just a different flavor profile. The two bowls of ramen happened to suit my friend and me perfectly—one each, to each their own.

Ryushanhai Yamagata Branch
http://www.ryushanhai.com/
Address: 3-10-4 Koshomachi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata
Tel: 023-623-9930
Business Hours: 11:00–20:00, until sold out
Access: Walk straight from the east exit of JR Yamagata Station, turn right at the third traffic light, and continue straight—about an 8-minute walk.

Upper right 45-degree angle girl’s Japanese food travel diary
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