I drove from Sapporo to Furano, trying to save money by not using the highway and hoping to find a delicious restaurant along the way. I searched online, but couldn't find any appealing options with their operating hours. However, I came across a local popular restaurant that seemed interesting. I called ahead and confirmed they were open until 9 pm, or until they ran out of somen noodles. I set off, keeping this place as my top choice, but willing to change if I found a better spot. As I drove through the snowy roads, I couldn't help but question why I was planning to eat somen noodles in Hokkaido. Surprisingly, I arrived before 2 pm, which was too early for dinner, and I still couldn't find an answer to my question. Worried that I might get too distracted by finding another restaurant on the way to Furano, I spent 15 minutes in the parking lot searching online. Still, I couldn't find any promising options, so I gathered my courage and entered the restaurant. Inside, it seemed like the lunch rush had passed, and the owners and some local customers were chatting. I quickly bought my meal tickets as some items were already sold out. Fortunately, the two dishes I wanted were still available, so I ordered them. I refrained from ordering too much somen, as I didn't want to seem like a foolish YouTuber. Just as I finished ordering, the owner closed the shop around 2 pm. It was a close call, as I had almost spent too much time searching online in my car. I shivered with relief, feeling like I had used up all my luck for the day. The dishes arrived just in time, and the parent-child rice bowl looked surprisingly authentic with perfectly cooked eggs. The main somen dish had delicious soup, praised online for its texture and flavor. The soup was so good that it could even go well with ramen. Both dishes cost just over a thousand yen, which was impressive. All my doubts and worries before entering the restaurant were completely unnecessary. Despite the snow-covered roads and the potential for accidents or detours, I was grateful that I arrived safely.

On a hot September holiday, I visited Menmen, the original cold soumen restaurant, after a few years. Upon entering the restaurant, I was asked to wear a mask. I had to go back to my car to put on a mask and then re-enter the restaurant. The ticket machine only accepted 1000 yen bills, so I had to exchange my 5000 yen bill. I ordered the cold tantan soumen and oyakodon for 1430 yen. I had to get my own water, pick up my order, and return my dishes. The walls were decorated with signatures and photos of announcers and celebrities who had visited the restaurant on local TV shows. The food was served in about 5 minutes. The soup was a bit lacking, but the minced meat, fried garlic, and mizuna were delicious. Mixing it all together, the soumen was chewy, smooth, and had a great texture. It was different from dried noodles. The texture of the ingredients was crispy and crunchy, adding to the enjoyment. The spiciness was just right and the oyakodon with tender chicken and runny egg was also delicious. Adding some shichimi spice gave it a nice kick. Overall, it was a great meal. It had been a few years since I had cold soumen, and it was a delightful experience that you can't easily find elsewhere.

Hokkaido Wanderlust Trip 141: There seems to be a place in Iwamizawa City that serves fresh "somen" noodles, which I have never tried before. Let's try something that piques our interest! Make sure to wear a mask if there are no strict mask-wearing rules in place. I did some research beforehand, so there were no issues. Bought a meal ticket from the vending machine, waited at the designated seat, and when called, went to get the food. I chose the popular "toritsuke-men" for ¥880. I was surprised by the texture of the fresh somen noodles, it's not like the dried noodles at all! The dipping sauce had a strong flavor with vinegar, chicken, yuzu, and green onions in soy sauce. After eating, I got a complimentary soup to savor the broth. This seems to be the original fresh somen dish, and it was a delightful experience with its innovative texture.

There are a lot of people lining up at the restaurant, but it's not clear if they need to write their name on a list and wait, or just wait without doing anything. Customers look anxious and are asking around. After a while, a staff member comes out and seems to be calling out a few names in order. There is one customer waiting in their car. After waiting in line outside for about 20 minutes, customers are told to wear masks and sanitize their hands when entering the restaurant, in a rude manner. They are also pressured to buy food tickets from a vending machine, which is confusing as there are no pictures on the machine. Customers are unsure about the portion size of the noodles and the rice bowl. The menu is overwhelming, and customers feel rushed as the next person in line is waiting. The area in front of the vending machine is cramped, adding to the stress. The customer orders cold noodles with grated yam as a free topping, and a rice bowl with chicken and a mysterious yuzu-flavored sesame sauce. The food and water are self-service. The noodles have a delicious texture and the broth is flavorful. The sesame sauce for the rice bowl is confusing to use, as it's not clear if it should be poured over the chicken. The customer later finds a menu with pictures next to the vending machine on their way out. The food tastes good, but there seem to be various issues with the restaurant.

Do you know about "Nama Somen"? It seems to be made in the Seto Inland Sea area, but this place is the original? They also offer online shopping, so this is definitely something you should try! It's a chewy noodle made from Hokkaido wheat. It's clearly different from regular dried somen noodles. It's not like udon or the dipping noodles at ramen shops. It's hard to explain this unique noodle. The dipping sauce that complements this noodle is also fantastic! There are many options available, but the overwhelmingly popular choice is "Tori-tsuke". The warm chicken and green onion broth with yuzu as an accent is the perfect match for the nama somen! You won't be able to stop eating. Personally, I also recommend the "Goma" sauce. You'll finish about two servings in no time. It's perfect for hot summer days! It's quite a popular restaurant and they tend to sell out quickly. Make sure to check in advance before visiting.

I arrived at the store just before it opened. There was already one group of customers in front of the store, which I thought was lucky. However, as the opening time approached, more and more people gathered. It seemed like they were giving out cards with waiting numbers before the store opened. I also received a card with the number 5 and was able to enter on the first round. The fresh somen noodles had a nice texture, different from the dried noodles I eat at home.

On the way back from JOIN ALIVE, we stopped for a late lunch before getting on the highway at Iwamizawa Interchange. We found a specialty shop along Route 12 that serves fresh somen noodles. The noodles were chewy and smooth, not dried. The dipping sauce for the "toritsuke-men" had a wonderful aroma of yuzu and the delicious flavor of chicken. As a bonus, the set meal included a parent and child bowl with a perfectly runny egg. I had no idea there was such a great restaurant in Iwamizawa! I will definitely come back again! #HokkaidoGourmet #Iwamizawa #IwamizawaGourmet #Route12 #Somen #Noodles #ParentAndChildBowl #RunnyEgg

I landed in Iwamizawa from Sapporo for the first time and was drawn to a somen specialty shop that my coworker recommended. I arrived at the shop at 10:30 after having a grilled fish set meal at Sapporo Nijo Market in the morning. I wanted to order a bowl set as well, but having had breakfast at 8:30 and lunch at 11:00, somen alone was enough. After 11:00, the shop quickly became full with a line outside. I'm glad I came early, but I wonder if I should have waited and ordered a bowl set later. The cold somen was really delicious! I could have even had double the amount of somen.

The popular restaurant known for its "original fresh somen". In Hokkaido, there are many places where you can enjoy chicken broth simmered noodles called "torimen" (dried noodles) as a way to finish off your meal, but this restaurant serves fresh noodles. When you hear fresh noodles, you might think of Shodoshima, but this place is different. At the ticket machine inside the restaurant, I ordered the most popular dish, the "Chicken Tsukemen (880 yen)". The restaurant has a counter and raised seating area. It's a self-service style, including water. After about 10 minutes, your number will be called and you can pick up your order. The fresh somen noodles are chewy, not like the smooth texture of dried noodles. However, they tend to clump together a bit and can be difficult to eat. The warm dipping sauce is excellent!! It has a slightly thick soy sauce base with a yuzu fragrance and the flavor of chicken oil mixed in, making it delicious!! There are also chopped green onions and yuzu pepper on the side. The large pieces of chicken are juicy and flavorful, and the generous amount of green onions adds to the taste! It's no wonder that the oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) is also popular. Overall, it was a satisfying lunch with chewy fresh noodles, excellent chicken broth soy dipping sauce, and delicious toppings. I'm curious to try the cold noodles next time, but once you taste this dipping sauce, you might end up going for the warm tsukemen again on your next visit. I also want to try the oyakodon.

Shocking! This overturns common sense. The moment you put it in your mouth, you'll think, "What have I been eating all this time?" This is the first time I've felt the difference between dried noodles and fresh noodles so strongly. This is a place you must visit. It is said to be the birthplace of fresh somen noodles. The kindness and thoughtfulness of the mother and father also come through in this wonderful restaurant.

Visited the fresh somen noodle shop Menmen that I was curious about. Ordered the most popular chicken tsukemen. The noodles, which are not dried, have a moist and pleasant texture. The sauce is also delicious. The green onions are doing a great job. It's delicious, but if you order a regular size, it's a bit small, so I should have gone for the large size (laughs).

There is a somen noodle specialty store in Iwamizawa! First visit♪ Ordered the most popular chicken tsukemen. It was served in about 15 minutes, and when I took a bite, it was smooth and delicious! Yes, this is a restaurant that should be loved in Iwamizawa (^ν^)

Based on the recommendation from a colleague at work in Iwamizawa City, I decided to visit this restaurant that had caught my attention. There are about 5 parking spaces in front and to the side of the shop. Inside, there are sunken kotatsu-style seats and counter seats. First, you buy a meal ticket. I chose the chicken broth dipping noodles and oyakodon set. Then, I was guided to the counter seats. It seems that when there are two people, you sit at the counter. After a short wait, my number was called and I went to the pick-up window. The scent of yuzu was already spreading. I dipped the somen noodles in the dipping sauce with plenty of green onions. It was filled with big pieces of chicken and yuzu peel, which clung to the noodles. When I ate it, the refreshing scent of yuzu, the umami of the chicken broth, and the chewy texture of the noodles were delicious! I was shocked to find such delicious somen noodles. The oyakodon had a perfectly runny egg and a gentle flavor, also exquisite. The deliciousness made it worth coming to eat for an hour and a half. I will definitely be coming back.

I had never thought about eating somen at a restaurant before spending 1,380 yen, but it was really delicious (ˆ∞ˆ) The noodles had a good texture and were satisfying to eat. The dipping sauce had tender chicken pieces and a nice broth. The leeks added a nice crunch, and there was plenty of yuzu peel in the sauce, which was perfectly seasoned for dipping the somen. The yuzu pepper on the side dish also paired well. The oyakodon had tender chicken and a half-cooked egg, which was delicious. It was a filling meal with plenty of rice. Next time, I'll try the negi shio somen!

Tsuke-men 880 yen At Menmen, a restaurant located along National Route 12 in Iwamizawa, they serve fresh Somen noodles. There are about 10 parking spaces available. Upon entering the restaurant, you will see a ticket machine in front of you with a wide variety of menu options, which can be overwhelming. When in doubt, it's best to go with the top recommendation, which is the Tsuke-men. If you're feeling lost, it's always a good idea to check out reviews on food websites. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option at the moment. After purchasing your ticket, you will be given a half-ticket and directed to a designated seat to wait for your order. After about 10 minutes, your number will be called, and you can pick up your order at the counter. The Tsuke-men comes with cold Somen noodles, warm dipping sauce, green onions, and yuzu pepper as condiments. The dipping sauce is made with plenty of green onions, chicken, and yuzu peel, which adds a delicious citrusy flavor. The Somen noodles have a chewy texture and a transparent appearance, different from the dry noodles you may be used to. It feels like the chewiness of the noodles stands out more when eaten as Tsuke-men. The set meals with rice bowls also look appetizing, as the Somen noodles alone may not be filling enough. Perhaps Somen noodles are best enjoyed as a side dish rather than a main course. Overall, it was a delicious experience trying out these Somen noodles that I had never tasted before. Delicious!

[Visit on October 13, 2022] - Bukkake Somen & Oyakodon: 940 yen - Original fresh Somen - Menmen (Bukkake Somen & Oyakodon) Phone: 0126-25-8895 Address: 18-8-1, 10-jonishi, Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido Website: https://tabelog.com/hokkaido/A0107/A010708/1033630/

I finally visited a restaurant that I've always wanted to go to. The most popular dish, "toritsukemen", was really delicious. The noodles were so smooth and the salty chicken broth was well blended. The chicken was also tender and the starch made it creamy. It was served with yuzu pepper, which was a nice touch.

On hot days, I crave cold somen noodles. It's self-service so you don't have to wait long in line. It's definitely delicious, different from boiling dry noodles at home. #ColdSomen #IwamizawaGourmet #IwamizawaLunch #SomenLover #DeliciousFood #SapporoGourmet #SorachiGourmet #EatingOutSapporo

Every time I passed by, I was curious about the long line at Iwamizawa's fresh somen restaurant, Menmen. The preconceived notion was high, but I thought, well, it's just somen. However, it was incredibly delicious! The soup, noodles, and rice dishes were all amazingly tasty! Iwamizawa's number one on the food review site is no joke! At least once a year! If you're a resident of Iwamizawa, you'll want to eat here once a month! For those who haven't tried it, definitely give it a go! #Hokkaido #Iwamizawa #Sorachi #Minamisorachi #somen #menmen

I have always wondered why there are not many soba restaurants around. Sometimes I want something light for lunch but not a set meal or rice, and ramen can be heavy depending on the broth, while udon can also be filling. Soba seems to be the only option at times. Soba is a favorite of mine, especially at home, but there aren't many soba restaurants around. That's why I was delighted to find a soba restaurant in Iwamizawa, and they serve fresh noodles. They have various menu items, but this time I tried the warm chicken broth soba, known as "nyumen," along with a parent and child rice bowl set. Whether fresh or dried noodles are better is a matter of preference, as each has its own appeal, but I must say that the soba here was delicious. It was chewy with a good texture, aromatic, and different from dried noodles. I will definitely come back here whenever I pass through Iwamizawa.

Today is the second day of my three-day weekend, continuing our expedition to Iwamizawa with my wife! We enjoyed delicious soft serve ice cream, bought wine, and had lunch. Of course, when you come to Iwamizawa, you have to try the ramen, right? My wife said, "It's so hot, do you really want to eat ramen?" I agreed, so we searched for a place and found a specialty restaurant that serves fresh somen noodles. We arrived and the parking lot was full, but we managed to find a spot at the edge. The restaurant was spacious with counter seats available. We had to disinfect our hands with alcohol before entering. We ordered our meals from a ticket machine, with my wife choosing the popular "chicken tsukemen" and me opting for the "zaru shoyu somen with chicken gohan." The food was amazing, with the somen noodles being firm and chewy, and the chicken gohan having a delicious homemade taste. It was our first time eating somen noodles outside of our home, and we were pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was. I highly recommend this somen specialty restaurant to everyone!