Hokkaido boasts many delicious gourmet foods made from agricultural and livestock products grown in its magnificent nature and fresh seafood. Hokkaido has many local ramen dishes named after the regions in which they are located, and three of them are famous: Sapporo’s miso ramen, Hakodate’s salt ramen, and Asahikawa’s soy sauce ramen, also known as “Hokkaido’s three major ramen”. In this article, we will introduce Hakodate Shio Ramen, which is one of the most popular ramen in Japan!
What is Hakodate Shio Ramen?
Ramen is one of Hokkaido’s gourmet specialties, and while the characteristics of ramen vary from region to region in Hokkaido, salt ramen is the mainstay in Hakodate. The soup is characterized by its clean, refreshing taste and extremely low fat content, making it popular among women.
One of the reasons why Shio Ramen took root in Hakodate is because of the opening of the port of Hakodate. Shio Ramen was originally a Chinese noodle dish. After the opening of the port, a Chinese consulate was established in Hakodate, and Chinese restaurants began to open in the city. The “Nakin Soba” served at these Chinese restaurants was renamed and the flavor changed to suit Japanese tastes, and is said to have taken its current form as “Hakodate Shio Ramen”.
Hakodate Shio Ramen Taste and Characteristics
Hakodade Shio Ramen is known for its unique flavor, which is different from salt ramen in other regions. Let’s take a closer look at its characteristics!
Soup
The most distinctive feature of Hakodate Shio Ramen is its clear, transparent broth. The broth is carefully prepared from chicken bones and pork bones with kelp and other ingredients. The clear soup is light and has a gentle flavor that enhances the taste of the ingredients. While most ramen soups are thick, Hakodate Shio Ramen’s soup is so refreshing that you can drink it down.
Noodles
Thin noodles are generally used to match the soup. Since the soup is light, the noodles are often boiled softly to match it, so that the noodles can be enjoyed as one with the soup. The smoothness of the noodles and the fact that the soup is well mixed with the noodles ensures that you can enjoy the soup from the first bite to the last without getting bored.
Ingredient
The ingredients are simple: chashu pork, menma, and green onions. Depending on the restaurant, Fu(wheat gluten) and Naruto(boiled fish paste) may be added as toppings. These ingredients serve to further enhance the flavor of the soup.
EditerHakodate Shio Ramen is very light.
It is easy to eat for small children and the elderly!
8 recommended places to eat Hakodate Shio Ramen
There are many restaurants in Hakodate where you can enjoy delicious Hakodate Shio Ramen. Each restaurant has its own unique characteristics, so it is recommended that you enjoy comparing different types of ramen!
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