The first visit was to the restaurant in Higashimachi 4-chome, and it was the first time my partner had eaten there. However, they had been a regular customer for over 20 years. We both worried about the restaurant closing as we went to eat, thinking it might be the last time. The owner is getting older, but the staff, who are like aunts, are working hard. The food is still delicious and comforting, just like it always was. It's nice to see young people coming in to eat dishes like meat rice and Biwa-don, it somehow makes us happy. We both ordered large portions of the ankake ramen and fried rice, and they were delicious! We both finished our meals. I don't like pickled ginger, so I had my fried rice without it. My partner likes it, so they shared the regular pickled ginger with me.

I ordered the Ankake Ramen for under 900 yen, and my companion ordered the Miso Katsu Ramen for 950 yen. We also had a Katsuobushi Onigiri for 200 yen. I was hesitant about the Ankake Ramen being too much, but surprisingly, I was able to finish it. It was surprisingly light. I also tried my companion's Miso Ramen, which had a miso soup-like flavor and overall gentle seasoning. It was a nice meal.

I stayed at Noboribetsu Onsen for one night and the next day enjoyed Marine Park Nixe before looking for lunch here. It's a traditional diner with soba, udon, ramen, and set meals. The overall look and taste were very retro, with a subtle flavor. It seems to be popular among locals as well. Thank you for the meal.

I arrived in Noboribetsu just after 12:30 on a regular day and saw a long line at the restaurant. It was already full, but I was seated after about 5 minutes. I ordered the Ankake Ramen to warm up on the snowy road. It took a little while, but when it arrived, I was surprised to see it served on a deep plate. It looked like Ankake Yakisoba, but there was a thick soup underneath. Despite the large plate, it was just a regular Ankake Ramen. The variety of ingredients such as pork, sweet shrimp, squid, naruto, and ham made it very delicious. The way the soup coated the noodles was excellent. Ankake Ramen in the midst of hunger and cold was exceptionally tasty.

A certain soba restaurant was temporarily closed, so I searched on Tabelog and found a diner to dive into. Located in front of JR Noboribetsu Station, it seems to be a popular local spot, crowded during lunchtime. The exterior had a chaotic vibe, with Ebisu and Ultraman welcoming you from the entrance. The service was friendly and warm. The popular dishes were meat rice and ankake, and they don't fry the noodles, so they call it "ankake ramen". I wanted to try that, but I wasn't interested in the non-fried ankake yakisoba. The yakisoba I ordered for 750 yen arrived with a sizzling sound from the kitchen. I was surprised by the appearance... it was soaked in sauce. The ingredients were well stir-fried, but the noodles weren't fried much. Perhaps not frying the noodles is a specialty of this restaurant. The taste was like soy sauce with oyster sauce... with a mild acidity from Worcestershire sauce as the main flavor. It was a yakisoba that could be eaten normally, without any strong salty taste. However, I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. It's a local spot that stands out for the locals.

It seems like it will rain from tonight onwards... So, I decided to visit my father's grave in the afternoon and take a stroll around Noboribetsu city with my mistress number 5. But before that, for breakfast, my mother served me red rice with sweet beans, which I don't like. She still doesn't understand my likes and dislikes and tends to force me to eat what she likes. Leaving that aside, I first went to the Noboribetsu Municipal Cemetery to update my late father on my current situation. However, it feels somewhat unsatisfying as now we can't even offer flowers or incense at the gravesite. After paying my respects at the grave, I visited a place I hadn't been to in decades. It was packed with customers due to the Bon festival season, and I was guided to a table that had one empty seat. It was a bit awkward to sit alone at a table meant for four in such a crowded place. Anyway, let's order. I ordered the "Ankake Ramen." The appearance on the plate may look like ankake yakisoba at first glance, but it's not because the noodles are not even slightly fried. The sauce is lightly salted and the ingredients like country-style ham, green peas, sweet shrimp, and the sweetness from the Chinese cabbage can be tasted, making it quite delicious. Since the line of customers kept growing, I quickly finished my meal and paid the bill. Although 900 yen is a bit pricey, I was satisfied with this nostalgic bowl. After that, I hopped on my mistress number 5 and headed towards Lake Kuttara. To be continued.

Today, I had lunch near Noboribetsu Station at a place called "Ajino Biwa," just a 5-minute walk from the station. The restaurant was lively with a lot of customers, and the electric signboard displayed the words "Meat Rice." I was intrigued by the mystery of what "Meat Rice" could be, so I decided to order it. After about 10 minutes, the dish was served. It was a dish of stir-fried pork, onions, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and wood ear mushrooms on top of rice. The flavor was spicy yet surprisingly light and easy to eat. The portion size was generous, with plenty of pork and onions. It was a perfect dish for recovering from fatigue. Another satisfying meal today.

I enjoyed my first visit to Noboribetsu Onsen and returned to Noboribetsu Station. It was lunchtime, but the area in front of the station was not very busy, so I decided to walk back along the bus street to find a restaurant. I checked on Tabelog and chose "Ajitsuru Ajiwa" which was ranked highly. The restaurant had a casual diner atmosphere, and as I entered, I was greeted by a life-sized Ultraman Ace statue. I ordered the 3rd most popular dish, the "Ankake Ramen". While waiting for my food, I noticed that the restaurant was starting to fill up with customers, showing how popular it was. The "Ankake Ramen" had a subtle ginger aroma and a sweet flavor when mixed with the vegetables and sauce. It was a unique and delicious taste. The sauce, made with plenty of Hokkaido ingredients, really stood out and you could taste the passion put into it. The ginger also helped warm me up. Overall, it was clear that this restaurant was well-loved by the locals.

Upon entering the restaurant, you are greeted by a large Ultraman Seven figure. The interior is spacious with a large hall where two elderly women are cooking and an elderly man is also working. We visited on a Sunday around 11 am, with two groups already seated and five more arriving after us. This local favorite recommended by my husband offers a popular dish called "Niku Rice" for 750 yen. It comes in a large plate with plenty of rice, sliced onions, green peppers, wood ear mushrooms, and meat stir-fried in a soy sauce base. It is generously seasoned with pepper, which may not be to everyone's taste - my second daughter found it too strong, and it may not be suitable for children. The dish is served with Fukujinzuke. Be cautious as the portion size is quite large. The miso soup contains dried wakame seaweed and wheat gluten, with a standard taste. The side dish is blanched bean sprouts seasoned with a sprinkle of ichimi togarashi (Japanese red chili pepper) and served with mayonnaise, giving it a slightly spicy kick. Overall, it was delicious, but whether we will return is uncertain.

Beef Rice Bowl for 750 yen at a cafeteria-style restaurant called Ajinomiya in front of Noboribetsu Station, chosen by a colleague at work. The menu samples in the showcase give a sense of the restaurant's history. The spacious interior with table seats and a raised area is almost full during lunchtime. Among the menu items like ramen, yakisoba, and fried rice, the beef rice bowl catches the eye. According to the restaurant, it is the second most popular item, with the first being miso ramen. As for the beef rice bowl, it is like a staff meal of stir-fried meat and vegetables on rice! It's perfect for a quick meal. It's easier to eat with a spoon than chopsticks. The pricing is reasonable.

The ankake dish was very filling and satisfying. The flavor was simple and nostalgic. The steamed sweet shrimp was tender and delicious to eat whole. It was nice to taste a different flavor of shrimp compared to peeled shrimp. The pickled ginger added a nice touch. The sesame oil flavor in the noodles was well done. The restaurant seemed popular with a steady stream of customers, but the spacious interior felt comfortable and not crowded, which was nice in the current situation. It was a warm and welcoming place to dine.

I usually arrive and get seated smoothly before 12 o'clock. I always love the meat rice, but this time I decided to try something different and ordered the top-ranked Ankake Ramen. It had a big impact visually. It was very hot, even for someone who isn't sensitive to heat. The taste wasn't bad, but it was quite sweet, which wasn't really to my liking. I guess this place is really more of a meat rice place after all.

Ordered the meat rice. The only restaurant near the station? There are various menu items, but for the second visit, I ordered the same meat rice as last time! The flavor is just right, not too strong, and it goes well with the rice. The generous amount of onions is also delicious. I think all men will like this flavor. Just like last time, it was a good lunch.

Despite being the entrance to a tourist destination, there are few restaurants near Noboribetsu Station. One place that is highly popular among locals is "Aji no Miyabi." While it gets crowded with tourists on weekends and holidays, there is usually no wait on weekdays. The restaurant has 3 tatami tables and 6 regular tables, making it suitable for small gatherings. The menu includes their signature dish, Miyabi Don, as well as set meals and various types of ramen. My favorite is the "Sansai Ramen." The restaurant originally started as a ramen shop, and this special menu item has a delicious broth with the sweetness of mountain vegetables. The salt-based soup is flavorful without being too sharp. The noodles are medium-thick curly noodles that go well with the soup. The generous portion of chashu adds to the overall experience. Definitely recommended for tourists visiting the area. Just a note, they do not serve the local specialty "Enma Yakisoba" in Noboribetsu.

When I went to the Noboribetsu area for work, my boss and I randomly walked into a diner. It's located about a 5-minute walk from JR Noboribetsu Station, which can be considered a base for Noboribetsu tourism, but the customers seemed to be local residents rather than tourists. On that chilly day, I ordered the "Ankake Ramen". Steam was rising from the bowl, creating a very nice sight. While I was enjoying the hot ramen, my boss muttered under his breath, "Maybe I should have ordered that too." I love the retro atmosphere of this kind of restaurant.

It's been about 30 years since I last visited, but it's bustling here! For some reason, the daily calendar says it's the 12th (tomorrow)! The owner and the staff have aged a bit! (So have I, though) (^^; I found a table that was free and ordered the ankake ramen. It was crowded, so I had to wait for about 20 minutes before it arrived! It was piping hot... too hot to eat, so I gathered the toppings and took a photo! There was also a whole squid piece in it. It's a shame there weren't any shrimp, but other than that, it was delicious! Since it's not yakisoba, there was no burnt noodle texture. Originally, it's a ramen shop after all... but I still wish it was grilled! Ankake Ramen 800 yen. Thank you for the meal! (^^)v

When I went to Muroran City, I extended my trip to Noboribetsu City and visited "Aji no Miwa" for lunch. The restaurant has a parking lot next to it. The interior was crowded as it seemed to be a popular place, and I barely managed to find a seat. I immediately ordered the "Miwa Don" (850 yen), which is a dish with a thick sauce. It was really flavorful and the vegetables were crunchy. It truly lived up to its name!

Founded half a century ago, this restaurant in Noboribetsu started as a ramen shop. They offer a variety of dishes such as rice bowls, stir-fries, curry, and soba, satisfying their customers' appetites. The ramen has always been highly praised, attracting a loyal following among locals. Currently, it is the only dining option near Noboribetsu Station. On holidays, it gets crowded with families coming from the Marine Park, so it's best to avoid those days. I visited on the first day of a long weekend. Last time, I had the popular Sansai Ramen, so this time I ordered the Salt Ramen. The menu and appearance of the ramen here are quite ordinary, without any standout features. However, it is simply delicious. Fans come not only from Noboribetsu but also from neighboring towns. The Salt Ramen, in particular, has a clear chicken broth flavor, light yet rich, following the classic style of salt ramen, which I personally enjoy. The soup is still very hot, so be careful not to burn your mouth. The medium-thick curly noodles are well coated with the soup, and they go really well with the wakame topping. The chashu pork is just a regular braised pork, but the salty taste is unique and delicious. It's hard to imagine a restaurant like this thriving in Tokyo, but it's impressive to find such tasty ramen in a countryside diner. Since a guesthouse opened near Noboribetsu Station in 2018, there have been many foreign customers lately. In recent years, Noboribetsu has been promoting "Enma Yakisoba," but be aware that they don't serve it at Miwa.

At first glance, it may seem like just another "town diner," but this place actually serves delicious salt ramen that can rival those in the bustling ramen shops of Tokyo. That's because Miwa originally started as a respectable ramen shop, established in the mid-1960s, making it a long-standing establishment close to half a century old. Despite being located at the entrance of a famous hot spring tourist destination, the town of Noboribetsu has a surprisingly limited selection of dining options. Due to this, Miwa attracts a lot of local customers by offering a variety of dishes like rice bowls, udon, soba, and curry, eventually evolving into a beloved town diner. While the menu mainly features classic flavors like salt, soy sauce, and miso ramen, Miwa was serving curry ramen long before it became a nationally recognized dish in the 1980s. (Although curry ramen is no longer on the menu.) The wild vegetable ramen is a proud original dish that has been on the menu since that time. Although I can't speak for the other dishes, one should never underestimate this rural diner. Of course, my main goal was the wild vegetable ramen. Without even looking at the menu, I placed my order as soon as I entered. The steaming hot bowl was filled with seaweed, beaten egg, green onions, simmered pork, and delicious-looking wild vegetables. The soup looked scorching hot, but in reality, it was so hot that I couldn't taste the flavor at first. After letting it cool slightly, I could finally taste the chicken broth. It had a light yet flavorful saltiness, typical of a town Chinese restaurant. To put it simply, it was like making a seaweed ramen with Hokkaido's salt ramen soup and adding wild vegetables! The medium-thick noodles had a slightly loose texture, but a bit more firmness would have been more modern. Town Chinese ramen in Tokyo is similar to this. Nevertheless, the satisfaction after eating was high. Other customers were ordering something called the Miwa bowl, which seemed quite appetizing as well, resembling a Chinese-style rice bowl. This time, I decided to take the Hokkaido Shinkansen, which I had been wanting to ride for a while, to Sapporo. As a result, I made a detour to Noboribetsu. I spent the entire Shinkansen ride sleeping, so I arrived in Shin-Hakodate without eating anything. The transfer time was only 12 minutes, and there was no onboard sales on the Super Hokuto 11 departing from Hakodate, as I later found out. By the time I arrived in Noboribetsu, it was already past 3 o'clock. I searched for a place to satisfy my hunger, but there were only two cafes in town, with Miwa being the only option. What's more, there wasn't even a single person walking in the streets. Leaving that aside, I couldn't help but wonder about the Ultraman Ace statue inside the restaurant.

In the direction of Noboribetsu, during a work lunch break last year on September 17, 2018, there seemed to be various options along the station front street, but now there are not many food shops. If you go a little towards Muroran on the national highway, there is Horobetsu, where there are still more food choices. However, it was already past 12:30 and I was quite hungry, so I decided to enter a restaurant that I had known about for a long time. The place was quite crowded with customers, and I had actually tried to enter once before during lunchtime, but the entrance was blocked by a family trying to decide where to sit, and the place was already full. The smoke from cigarettes was also overwhelming, so I decided to go elsewhere. There are not many dining options in this area, so most people tend to concentrate on this restaurant. In Noboribetsu, there are many tourists from the continent, and they often come here to eat during their visit, which adds to the crowds during lunchtime. On this day, the parking lot next to the restaurant was not very full, so I decided to give it a try. Inside, the place was quite cluttered and there was a lot of noise. I quickly ordered the curry with pork cutlet and was seated at a table. The curry was not too spicy but lacked a distinct flavor. The pork cutlet was average, nothing special. The overall atmosphere of the restaurant was chaotic, and the smoke from cigarettes was unpleasant. The salad served with the curry was presented nicely, but the taste was nothing remarkable. The price of 850 yen for the curry and cutlet seemed a bit high for the quality. Overall, it was an average dining experience.