Aomori(Tsugaru) Ramen (Aomori Pref.)

2024-02-04 Local RamenTohoku Area

What is Aomori (Tsugaru) Ramen(青森・津軽ラーメン)?

Niboshi(dried sardines) ramen is said to have originated in the Tsugaru region. The soup is characterized by a soup stock made from simmered dried sardines and a soy sauce tare(kaeshi; sauce) . There is a theory that the original miso soup used in old Aomori households used dried sardines.

Also, the famous B-class gourmet “Miso Curry Milk Ramen” will be discussed later <here>.

Japanese-style dashi soup stock made with dried sardines that gives you a sense of history

Aomori is not called a local ramen, but after visiting famous places and popular shops, you can see the basic characteristics of ramen. It is a Japanese-style dashi made with dried sardines. There are many shops that give you the feeling of “old-fashioned ramen,” but there are also many shops where the impact of dried sardines gives it a strangely fresh feel. Historically, it seems to have existed in the early Showa period(1926-1945), so it can be said to be quite old. From that time on, it seems that grilled and dried sardines caught in Mutsu Bay were used. I think the dried sardines were particularly strong in Hirosaki area.

“Takahashi(たかはし)” had such a strong taste of dried sardines that I cried out, “Wow!”.
“Midoriya(緑屋)”, which is known for its unique, hand-made thin noodles, is a strange shop that is housed in a former barber shop without much change. The sweet soup also left an impression on me.

“Marukai(まるかい)” is probably the most famous ramen shop in Aomori. My impression was that it was a duplicate of Kurume’s “Maruboshi Ramen(丸星ラーメン).” It’s not because the names are similar. This is because of the shop’s existence, how it is loved by locals, its appearance and atmosphere. Of course, it is completely different from the Kurume pork bones, and has a very strong soy sauce flavor.

Next is Kudo Ramen(くどうラーメン), which opens at 8am. If we were to create a category called Aomori ramen, I think this shop would be a good reference. Out of curiosity, I went there at 8 o’clock, and it was quite crowded, including children.

In Aomori, there are surprisingly many ramen shops that serve both regular noodles and hand-made noodles.

Ramen-Japan / Examples of Ramen Shops

Example of a long-established Aomori (Tsugaru) ramen shops

Examples of popular Aomori (Tsugaru) ramen shops

Examples of Aomori (Tsugaru) ramen shops in other areas

Examples of Aomori ramen that can be purchased at supermarkets or online

Sugomen Aomori Niboshi Chuka Soba (YAMADAI Corporation ヤマダイ株式会社)

*Available at supermarkets, drugstores, and official online stores nationwide (delivery within Japan only).

Miso Curry Milk Ramen

Aomori has a unique ramen that is called “Aomori’s soul food”.
It is Miso Curry Milk Ramen(味噌カレー牛乳ラーメン).
The soup is made with pork bones, chicken bones, and vegetables, and is made with white miso, curry, and milk, giving it a mellow taste. It has a mysterious taste that feels both Japanese and Western.

Ramen that originated as a pastime for junior and senior high school students

The origin of this ramen is that in 1968, the late Kiyoshi Sato(佐藤清), who ran a ramen shop in Sapporo Ramen Yokocho, Hokkaido, crossed the sea and opened “Aji no Sapporo(味の札幌)” in Aomori City in 1968, wanting to spread Sapporo ramen in the Tohoku region.

In the 1970s, at the cinema branch of “Aji no Sapporo,” it became popular among junior and senior high school students to add various things such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and cola to ramen before eating it.
At this time, rumors began to spread that “it’s somehow delicious to add curry and milk to miso ramen,” and in response to customer requests, “Miso Curry Milk Ramen(味噌カレー牛乳ラーメン)” was officially released as a menu item in 1978. Currently, his disciples have inherited the miso curry milk ramen and are serving it in Aomori City.
In other words, Sapporo Miso Ramen is a ramen with a strange origin story, having been created by chance as a game between junior high and high school students and then becoming an official menu item, and a history of nearly 50 years.

In Japan, Toyo Suisan(東洋水産) has released it nationwide as a cup ramen, and it has been introduced in various media as a rare local ramen. It will also be released for a limited time at the nationwide sushi restaurant “Sushiro(スシロー)” in June 2024.

It is also offered as a limited-time product at “Tsujita(つじ田),” and is a famous B-class gourmet dish offered as a limited menu item at ramen shops that offer various miso ramen.