Yes, it's ramen time! "Yamagata Tori Chuka 870 yen" at Rekka Honten. As part of the Ramen Hyakumeiten journey, I checked how many Ramen Hyakumeiten WEST shops I have left to visit. There are about ten shops left, with only 3 in Hokuriku and 1 in Shikoku. Can I make it this year? That's the goal! I visited the Rekka Honten in Toyonaka City after work. There were about 10 people waiting outside when I arrived. I bought my meal ticket and joined the line, eventually entering the restaurant. I decided on the "Tori Chuka" and eagerly awaited my bowl. The Tori Chuka is a popular ramen from a soba shop in Yamagata. It had a simple appearance with lots of fried egg on top. The soup had a gentle, slightly sweet taste of dashi, typical of ramen served at soba shops. The noodles were transparent, flat, and twisted, with an interesting texture. The sweet seasoned twisted chicken had a firm texture and a rich umami flavor. Adding the raw seven-spice blend to the soup gave it a nice depth and spicy kick. I finished the bowl and it was delicious. Thank you for the meal. [Shop Information] - Shop Name: Rekka Honten - Address: 2-2-14 Shonai Higashimachi, Toyonaka City, Osaka - Business Hours: 11:30-25:00 - Closed: None - Access: 2 minutes walk from Hankyu Takarazuka Line "Shonai" Station *Please note that business days, hours, and operations may change. For details, please check the official Instagram or Twitter of the shop. [Profile] - ramentimes daichi: Ramen Instagrammer based in Osaka. Wakes up to the deliciousness of ramen and consumes over 300 bowls every year. Travels around in search of tasty bowls with his beloved tricycle. He appears not only in Kansai but also all over Japan. Of course, he eats various things other than ramen (laughs). Instagram: @ramentimes https://www.instagram.com/ramentimes/ Yahoo!: @ramentimesdaichi https://creators.yahoo.co.jp/ramentimesdaichi

Visited at 8:00 PM on September 19, 2023. This "Rekka Main Store" in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, is a regular at the Ramen Hyakumeiten, having won the award for consecutive years. I drove 700km from Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, and decided to have dinner here before checking into the hotel. It's conveniently located near Toyonaka Interchange and stays open late, which is great. I parked my car at a nearby coin parking lot and arrived at the restaurant to find 2 groups of 5 people waiting. Since there are only counter seats, it's quick for solo diners, but those in line were waiting for seats to open up. After about 5 minutes, 2 customers left, and I entered along with 5 others. I purchased a meal ticket at the ticket machine by the entrance. According to information from Tabelog, this place is known for its Yamagata ramen and spicy ramen, which are rare in Osaka. Among them, the "Evolved Mix Soba with Pull-Udon" is the most popular. Today, I chose the "Yamagata Pull Mix Soba ¥920" with "Extra Noodles ¥150". The unique thing about it is the toppings. In addition to the usual mix soba toppings, it includes mackerel flakes, grated natto, and spicy miso, giving it a Yamagata-style spicy miso ramen flavor. Those who have tried it recommend mixing it well before eating, just like regular mix soba. The amount of chashu is on the lighter side, making it easy to eat, and the taste is quite enjoyable. I added kombu vinegar for flavor variation halfway through. Finally, I finished by adding the included rice to the remaining sauce. The entire eating experience was smooth and the dish was perfectly executed. It was a very delicious mix soba. Thank you for the meal.

The "Raging Fire Ramen" has levels of spiciness ranging from 2 to 10. When ordering, you will be asked how spicy you want it. It is said that "2-3 spiciness" is about average for first-timers. However, the staff mentioned that their ramen is quite spicy. Feeling a bit nervous, I chose level 2 spiciness. It was just right for me! Even though I enjoy eating spicy foods like the "Tyrant Habanero," I could still feel the spiciness at level 2. They mentioned that you can add more spiciness later if needed, so it's recommended to start from the lower levels. The staff explained everything politely, including the option to ask for more spiciness when served. They even checked if the spiciness was okay after finishing the meal. The Raging Fire Ramen was delicious, and I really appreciate the great customer service. I instantly fell in love with this place. Thank you for the meal!

While looking for a lunch spot near Shonai Station, I came across a place called Yamagata Ramen. I've never been to Yamagata or tried Yamagata Ramen before, so I ordered the Yamagata cold meat soba in large size (tax included 1000 yen). I expected the soup to be spicy because of the dark color and the name "Yamagata Ramen," but it was surprisingly light. The noodles were not like ramen at all, but more like soba with a very strong texture. It was a new and interesting experience. I would like to try the mixed soba next time.

Toyonaka City, about a 3-minute walk southeast from Shonai Station, you will find Yama-kei Musou Rekka Honten at the Shonai Station East Shopping Street. This popular restaurant offers a variety of ramen dishes with a Yamagata twist, such as Tori Chuka (chicken-based Chinese-style ramen), Niku Soba (meat soba), Karame Miso Ramen, and Hippari Soba. The Niku Soba, with its chewy thick noodles and clear soy sauce broth made with chicken broth, is a must-try dish especially during summer. If you love Yamagata-style ramen, this place is definitely worth a visit, even in Shonai (Toyokawa, haha)!Visited in August 2023 -I was craving for Yamagata-style meat soba so badly! Once that thought popped into my head, I couldn't stop thinking about it, you know? Was this place opened in Shonai (Toyokawa) because it's from Yamagata, I wonder? As soon as I arrived, there was already a line for ordering the food. By 11:40, the line had started to form. There are other tempting options like Hippari Mazesoba and Karame Miso, but there was no doubt about what I was going to order. ・Yamagata Cold Meat Soba 850 yen ・Lunch Set 250 yenIn about 10 minutes, the food was served. The visual of the meat soba was just exquisite! The lunch set with a generous portion of Chashu Donburi also got me excited. The cold chicken broth with a light soy sauce flavor, paired with the chilled, thick, chewy noodles. This combination is just irresistible. Plenty of green onions and this broth, along with the noodles, is a winning combination. The only additional ingredient is the parent chicken. I prefer something with more chewiness. Also, it's a bit on the salty side. The generous chunks of Chashu and the flavorful rice soaked in the broth make for a perfect lunch combo. This cold soup and green onions with the Chashu Donburi is just so good! I thoroughly enjoyed the meat soba. Oh, come to think of it, the fresh shichimi that was supposed to come with it was missing? Next time, I would like to try the Yamagata Karame Miso Ramen or Hippari Mazesoba. Thank you for the delicious meal.

I visited the restaurant during lunchtime. I arrived 15 minutes before opening and was the first in line. Today, there were only two people waiting when the restaurant opened on time. This place is known for serving various types of Yamagata ramen and is considered one of the top ramen shops. The interior has 11 counter seats, with no dividers between them and a normal amount of space between seats. The overall decor showed signs of aging, but the kitchen area was spacious. I ordered the "Chuka Soba" for 770 yen. It arrived in about 7 minutes. The soup had a chicken broth base with a subtle beef bone richness. The beef bone flavor seemed to have sharpened over time. The soy sauce was visually dark but had a perfect balance of saltiness. The medium-thick noodles were cooked to just the right firmness, offering a chewy texture and a pleasant wheat flavor. The toppings included pork belly, seaweed, bamboo shoots, and green onions. The pork belly retained some texture and had a good balance of lean and fatty parts. However, I personally didn't enjoy the seasoning of the bamboo shoots. Overall, the ramen was much tastier than expected. Considering the current high prices, it was also very affordable. Thank you for the meal.

Osaka 100 Famous Restaurant Tour ✨ Arrived at the restaurant within a 5-minute walk from Shonai Station at 4:00 p.m. with no wait! Of course, I ordered the Rekka Ramen. I was thinking of getting level 5 spiciness, but the staff recommended level 3 for those who like spicy food, so I went with that! After a while, the ramen was served! It had a scent that seemed to contain fish powder. It reminded me of spicy fish somehow? The taste also felt similar. Even at level 3, it was sufficiently spicy and delicious!! I can handle spicy food without thinking it's too spicy, but at level 3, I could feel the spiciness just right, so I'm glad I didn't go with level 5! Thank you for the meal!

Located in a snack-filled, deep drinking alley near Shonai Station, Retsu Fire Ramen (with extra noodles) is a ramen shop that stands out. The depth of the area leading up to it from the station is truly wonderful. Retsu Fire Ramen is a rich and spicy ramen beyond expectations. Even at a spice level of 2 out of 10, it packs a punch with its stimulating spiciness that will make you break a sweat. The miso seafood flavor base is also very strong, with a distinct taste of seafood broth coming through prominently. The strength of the seafood flavor, typical of fish broth, is quite impressive. The strong seafood flavor, despite the strong miso and spiciness, may have brought out the hidden sweetness in the background. The noodles, on the other hand, are firm with a good chew, a medium thickness, and a twisted texture. The noodles' robustness stands up well to the punchy soup. The toppings, including the lightly melting fatty chashu and a generous amount of finely chopped green onions, complement the spicy soup perfectly. However, the standout was the sweetened menma. The marriage of sweetness and spiciness in this dish was delightful. The restaurant's interior and menu structure exude a love for Yamagata. I would definitely want to try their mixed cold noodles and fish sauce ramen.

Last time, I tried the 5-spice intense fire mixed dipping noodles. The dipping sauce arrived first and was boiling hot by the time the noodles arrived. The aroma from the dipping sauce was so fragrant that it made me cough a little when I tried to lift the noodles to slurp them up. But once I started eating, it was not only spicy but also delicious! I didn't notice it while eating, but after finishing, my mouth tingled with each breath. Next time, I'll try stepping up to level 6 spiciness!

Spicy Fire Ramen ¥870. Visited just before opening for lunch on a weekday, with 4 people waiting. Purchased a meal ticket from the machine on the left after entering, then sat down. The ramen was served in about 5 minutes. I ordered the same level of spiciness as last time, not too hot but still flavorful. I prefer enjoying the taste over the spiciness at my age (lol). I really like the seafood and miso soup base. The medium-thick curly noodles were firm and delicious. Unfortunately, the chashu wasn't as tender this time... Maybe it depends on the day. Thank you for the meal. Free extra noodles are available! There is a Yamada Denki coin parking lot nearby, making it convenient for those driving.

This time, I went to "Rekka Honten". It is located about a 5-minute walk from Hankyu Shonai Station! I went around 3 pm, so it was not crowded and I was able to get in right away. I ordered the Four Kinds of Seafood Shoyu Ramen (850 yen) this time! The delicious Rekka ramen looked spicy, so I passed on it this time... I will definitely try it next time I come back! Thank you for the meal!

I went to "Yamagata Muso Rekka Hon Ten" in Shonai, Toyonaka City, recommended by my wife's coworker. I tried the recommended dish "Yamagata Hippari Mix Soba". It is a mixed soba dish with natto, mackerel, green onions, egg yolk, seaweed, spicy miso, and chashu. It is a delight for natto lovers. The noodles have a chewy texture and are homemade. They also serve a small bowl of rice, so you can enjoy "dive rice" after finishing the noodles. I found out later that you can also try their supervised noodles at Sushiro! I will definitely come back for more, it's delicious! Yamagata ramen!

I had a job in Toyonaka Shonai around noon, so I searched nearby and decided to visit Renge Ramen. I ordered the ramen with the restaurant's name, and also got the lunch special Chashu rice bowl. The ramen was miso-based, level 2 spiciness, and despite its rich appearance, the soup was surprisingly light and delicious. The noodles were curly noodles, and they paired well with the flavorful broth. Even though it was level 2 spiciness, it was quite spicy. Thank you for the meal.

I visited a ramen shop near Shonai Station around 4 pm on a weekday. There were only 3 customers. This shop is famous for its maze soba, but I ordered the seafood shoyu ramen. The soup and noodles were delicious! Both the soup and noodles had a distinct flavor, and the taste was light, so I finished it quickly. Eating the noodles and soup together was also delicious! It was a ramen shop that was so good that I wanted to eat it again!

I wanted to try the spicy ramen, but I'm not good with spicy food, so I ordered the Yamagata spicy miso ramen, and my partner ordered the hikarimezesoba! Before melting the miso, the ramen seemed light, but once the miso was mixed in, the flavor increased dramatically and I couldn't stop eating. The slightly curly noodles and flavorful pork chashu matched perfectly! The hikarimezesoba with natto and mackerel were both delicious, and the rice to finish off the meal was also great.

Visit date: 12:00 on a weekday Wait time: None Menu: Yamagata Cold Meat Soba 850 yen I visited this place as part of my quest to visit the top 100 ramen shops. I was prepared to leave if there was a long line, but luckily there was none and I managed to snag the last seat. With the scorching hot weather, I decided to order the Yamagata Cold Meat Soba. I was surprised to find that the noodles were not Chinese noodles but soba. It was unexpected to have soba at a ramen shop. The soba had a chewy and elastic texture. The cold noodles were refreshing and delicious, perfect for cooling down in this heat. The meat had a rich seasoning, slightly salty on its own but balanced well when eaten with the soba. I look forward to coming back when the weather cools down to try their ramen. Thank you for the meal.

The "Raging Fire Ramen" was spicy even at level 2, but I couldn't taste it much. However, I think it's delicious. It's not extremely spicy, but I can handle spicy curry, so I guess this place is known for its spiciness. I generally think spicy ramen is tasty, so I want to try other options next time to experience the highly-rated flavors.

I visited around 1 pm on a holiday and thought I could get in right away since there was no line, but the restaurant was full and I had to wait 15 minutes to get in. I ordered the cold meat soba for 850 yen. I assumed the meat would be beef, but it was chicken, which was a bit surprising. The noodles were thick and had a good chewy texture. Once you get used to it, the texture is quite enjoyable. The soup had a refreshing taste and was just right for the summer.

I always feel like eating it regularly. Mazesoba is consistently delicious. The combination of natto and mackerel creates a nice broth flavor, and the spicy miso should be added little by little, or it will be too spicy. Maybe it's just me. lol I went right when the store opened, but there was still a line, and I was able to enter on the second round!

I visited this restaurant after a long time, and depending on the time of day, there can be a line. The menu features Yamagata specialties such as Niku Soba, Tori Chuka, Hikitsuri Maze Soba, as well as ramen and tsukemen. On this day, I tried the Yamagata Spicy Miso Ramen. The soup had a rich dashi flavor with a light miso base. The noodles were thick and chewy. Toppings included chashu, menma, chopped green onions, and spicy miso that you can mix into the soup for a flavor change. This ramen reminded me of a well-established shop I have visited several times in Yamagata, and it is a unique and addictive bowl.

I finally got to visit the ramen shop that I had been curious about because of the long line. The soup had a rich blend of chicken and beef bones, with a deep flavor. The noodles paired perfectly with the soup. The soup had a Japanese-style taste. The char-mayo rice bowl was also delicious. However, personally, it wasn't a type of ramen that I would wait in line for. I would like to go back again without having to wait in line.