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When it comes to the two major gourmet delights you must try in Wakayama City, it's ramen and seafood dishes. "Wakayama Ramen" is known as a local specialty and has even made its way into instant ramen. What kind of ramen is Wakayama Ramen? Be sure to try the local flavor. Additionally, Wakayama City, facing the sea, is a treasure trove of seafood. Check out Wakayama's pride, such as shirasu and tuna, and enjoy seasonal dishes.
The local flavor "Wakayama Ramen" began from food stalls
The roots of Wakayama Ramen lie in food stalls, with "Marutaka," established in 1940, said to be the original. After the war, food stalls selling Chinese soba began operating in front of various tram stops and depots, competing in flavor. The taste of these stalls laid the foundation for what is now known as Wakayama Ramen.
The usual name is "Chuka Soba" or "Chuka." The popularity of Wakayama's Chuka Soba on television led to it being known as "Wakayama Ramen." Shops are widely scattered throughout Wakayama City and its suburbs. Many shops are gathered around Wakayama Station and Nankai Wakayama City Station, so if you want to compare flavors, start from the area around the station!
Wakayama Ramen typically features straight, thin noodles topped with simple ingredients. The soup comes in two varieties: soy sauce-based and pork bone soy sauce-based. There is no clear distinction, but they are often categorized as a refreshing yet rich soy sauce type and a mellow, rich pork bone soy sauce type. In recent years, new flavors that do not fit these two categories have been increasing. While there is a mainstream, the charm lies in enjoying the unique characteristics and innovations of each shop.
Check out the shops where you can eat Wakayama Ramen!
■ Honke Arochi Marutaka Chuka Soba
Founded in 1940, this renowned shop is called the origin of Wakayama Ramen, starting from a food stall. Located in the bustling Arochi area, it is popular among office workers after work and customers looking for a late-night bowl after drinking. The soup is characterized by its richness while being refreshing, allowing you to learn about the roots of Wakayama Chuka Soba.
Address: 2-50 Tomoda-cho, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone Number: 073-432-3313
Business Hours: 5:30 PM - 3:00 AM
Closed: Sundays and Mondays
■ Ide Shoten
A popular ramen shop that has made the name Wakayama Ramen known nationwide and has experience in the "Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum" in Kanagawa Prefecture. Many people visit from all over the country, and there are lines on weekends. The pork bone soy sauce soup, known as "Ide-kei," is rich and mellow, yet has a refreshing aftertaste.
*Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum: An amusement park for ramen located in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, where famous and popular shops from all over the country gather. The ramen shops that exhibit are regularly replaced. Ide Shoten opened in 1998.
Address: 4-84 Tanaka-cho, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone Number: 073-424-1689
Business Hours: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Closed: Thursdays
■ Yamata Meal Hall
A popular public dining hall known for its rare medium-thick noodles and slightly thick, rich pork bone soy sauce soup among Wakayama Ramen. The rich and flavorful soup clings well to the noodles, and it is said to be addictive once you try it. The melt-in-your-mouth chashu is also a highlight. Be sure to experience the unique commitment of Yamata Meal Hall.
Address: 12 Fuku-cho, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone Number: 073-422-9113
Opening hours: 11-17
Closed: Sundays and holidays
Also pay attention to seafood! What seafood does Wakayama take pride in?
Wakayama City is a nature-rich area surrounded by mountains, sea, and rivers. There are three fishing ports: Saikazaki, Wakayura, and Kada, where various seasonal seafood is landed. Due to the influence of the Kuroshio and Seto Inland Sea currents, the fish caught are said to be firm and delicious. Famous local products from Wakayama City include Kada's sea bream, octopus, red shrimp, shirasu, and flounder. Furthermore, various seafood, including tuna, ribbonfish, and grouper, are caught and farmed within Wakayama Prefecture, allowing you to enjoy a diverse range of seafood.
If you want to enjoy fresh seafood and seafood dishes, head to Wakayama Central Wholesale Market or Kuroshio Market. These convenient spots allow not only dining but also purchasing seafood. Additionally, there are many restaurants offering seafood dishes throughout the city, making it hard to choose. Explore the downtown area where shops are gathered or the coastal area near the fishing ports to find a shop that interests you.
Check out the shops where you can eat seafood dishes!
■ Kuroshio Market
Kuroshio Market, located within Wakayama Marina City, is a theme park-like market where you can enjoy and taste seafood centered around tuna. A live tuna disassembly show is held daily, allowing you to purchase the cut tuna and enjoy it as sushi or in a bowl. Additionally, there are restaurants offering seafood and a beach barbecue corner, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a variety of seafood dishes.
Address: 1527 Keimi, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture (Wakayama Marina City)
Phone Number: 073-448-0008
Business Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM (varies by season)
Closed: Open year-round (may close for maintenance)
■ Ajidokoro Mihanami
A Japanese restaurant using fresh seafood and carefully selected local ingredients. The commitment to ingredients is significant, with the head chef going to Saikazaki Fishing Port daily to purchase. They provide fresh and safe ingredients, including freshly caught seafood. The menu features a variety of seafood dishes, including sashimi platters, salt-grilled fish, and simmered fish. During lunch hours, you can enjoy delicious seafood at reasonable prices.
Address: 2-1-25 Kuroda, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone Number: 073-475-2949
Business Hours: 11 AM - 2:30 PM (last order at 2 PM), 5 PM - 9:30 PM (last order at 9 PM)
Closed days: Unregular holidays
■ Daikotei
A dining hall located within the Wakayama Central Wholesale Market General Food Center (Wakayama Marushe). Operated by a tuna wholesale company, it offers a menu featuring many fresh fish. The highlight is the seafood bowl made with the freshest fish of the day. Among them, the special seafood bowl is topped with over 20 types of seafood, making it a stunning dish. It is a recommended menu item to enjoy the bounty of Wakayama's sea.
Address: 1660-401 Nishihama, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture (inside Wakayama Marushe)
Phone Number: 090-5061-8611
Business hours: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM last order, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 10:00 AM -
Closed: Wednesday
