On July 11, 2024, the Japan Ramen Association announced the “List of Japan’s Local Ramen 2024.” This year, three new varieties of local ramen were added, bringing the total to 183 types. The “Japan Local Ramen General Election 2024” is scheduled to be held in October.
What is Local Ramen? Introducing 183 Varieties by Region
Local ramen refers to ramen that has unique characteristics specific to different regions of Japan. It is cherished as a local flavor or traditional food, born out of cultural, historical, social, and town revitalization factors. Currently, it is said that there are about 200 types of local ramen.
There are some English translations, such as “素ラーメン” (Plain Ramen), where the pronunciation changes slightly when translated into English. “素ラーメン” is pronounced “su-ramen” in Japanese, but it means “plain ramen” in English.
Hokkaido Area
| Hokkaido | Sapporo Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Asahikawa Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Hakodate Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Kushiro Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Curry Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Kamikawa Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Tempura Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Nakashibetsu Milky Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Okhotsk Dried Scallop Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Asahikawa Hormen |
| Hokkaido | Gatatan Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Wakkanai Ramen |
| Hokkaido | Rishiri Ramen |
Tohoku Area
| Aomori Prefecture | Tsugaru Chinese Noodles |
| Aomori Prefecture | Miso Curry Milk Ramen |
| Aomori Prefecture | Rich Tsugaru Dried Sardine Ramen |
| Aomori Prefecture | Shijimi Ramen |
| Aomori Prefecture | Soup Yakisoba |
| Aomori Prefecture | Hachinohe Ramen |
| Iwate Prefecture | Miyako Ramen |
| Iwate Prefecture | Kamaishi Ramen |
| Iwate Prefecture | Five Grain Ramen |
| Iwate Prefecture | Sanriku Izo Ramen |
| Iwate Prefecture | Ofunato Sanma Ramen |
| Iwate Prefecture | Jajamen |
| Iwate Prefecture | Morioka Reimen |
| Akita Prefecture | Edo Style Ramen |
| Akita Prefecture | Jumonji Ramen |
| Akita Prefecture | Inaniwa Chinese Noodles |
| Akita Prefecture | Katsu Ramen |
| Akita Prefecture | Akita Tempura Chinese |
| Miyagi Prefecture | Karami Miso Ramen |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Chilled Ramen |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Sakata Ramen |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Tsuruoka Fish-based Ramen |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Torimotsu Ramen |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Bird Chinese |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Karami Miso Ramen |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Horse Meat Char Siu Ramen |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Yonezawa Ramen |
| Yamagata Prefecture | Meat Chinese |
| Fukushima Prefecture | Kitakata Ramen |
| Fukushima Prefecture | Shirakawa Ramen |
| Fukushima Prefecture | Aizu Ramen |
| Fukushima Prefecture | Oshu Koriyama Tonkotsu Ramen |
| Fukushima Prefecture | Koriyama Black Ramen |
| Fukushima Prefecture | Aizu Nozawa Miso Ramen |
| Fukushima Prefecture | Fukushima Chicken Paitan |
Kanto Area
| Ibaraki Prefecture | Stamina Ramen |
| Ibaraki Prefecture | Mito Domain Ramen |
| Ibaraki Prefecture | Shimodate Ramen |
| Ibaraki Prefecture | Tofu Miso Ramen |
| Tochigi Prefecture | Sano Ramen |
| Tochigi Prefecture | Yugao Ramen |
| Tochigi Prefecture | Soup Yakisoba |
| Gunma Prefecture | Fujioka Ramen |
| Gunma Prefecture | Tobashi Te Nobe Ramen |
| Chiba Prefecture | Takeoka Style Ramen |
| Chiba Prefecture | Katsuura Tantanmen |
| Chiba Prefecture | Ariran Ramen |
| Chiba Prefecture | Funabashi Sauce Ramen |
| Chiba Prefecture | Mobara-men |
| Chiba Prefecture | White Gawa Ramen |
| Chiba Prefecture | Omigawa Curry Yakisoba |
| Saitama Prefecture | Stamina Ramen |
| Saitama Prefecture | Tofu Ramen |
| Saitama Prefecture | Sake Lees Miso Ramen |
| Saitama Prefecture | Tea Ramen |
| Tokyo | Tokyo Ramen |
| Tokyo | Ogikubo Ramen |
| Tokyo | Abura Soba |
| Tokyo | Tsukemen |
| Tokyo | Hachioji Ramen |
| Tokyo | Back Fat Ramen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Iekei Ramen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Sanmamen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | New Tantanmen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Hiratsuka Style Tantanmen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Odawara Style Ramen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Misaki Tuna Ramen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Odawara Tantanmen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Kanagawa Light Ramen |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | Aho-men |
Chubu Area
| Niigata Prefecture | Niigata Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Niigata Rich Miso Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Nagaoka Ginger Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Tsubame Sanjo Back Fat Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Sanjo-ko Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Sanjo Curry Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Mitsuke Heso Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Joetsu Pork Soup Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Guts Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Cold Don |
| Niigata Prefecture | Joetsu Miso Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Mapo Ramen |
| Niigata Prefecture | Joetsu Snow Room Sake Lees Ramen |
| Toyama Prefecture | Toyama Black Ramen |
| Toyama Prefecture | Nyuzen Brown Ramen |
| Toyama Prefecture | Takaoka Green Ramen |
| Toyama Prefecture | Oyabe White Ramen |
| Ishikawa Prefecture | UFO Ramen |
| Ishikawa Prefecture | Kaga Miso Ramen |
| Fukui Prefecture | Tsuruga Ramen |
| Yamanashi Prefecture | Flat Noodles Tantanmen |
| Yamanashi Prefecture | Koshu Jidori Ramen |
| Yamanashi Prefecture | Yamanashi Genmizu Ramen |
| Nagano Prefecture | Anyoji Ramen |
| Nagano Prefecture | King’s Chinese Noodles |
| Nagano Prefecture | Roman |
| Nagano Prefecture | Shinshu Miso Ramen |
| Gifu Prefecture | Takayama Ramen |
| Gifu Prefecture | Kamioka Ramen |
| Shizuoka Prefecture | Tokimiso Ramen |
| Shizuoka Prefecture | Shimizu Motsu Curry Ramen |
| Shizuoka Prefecture | Shizuoka Style Ramen |
| Shizuoka Prefecture | Fuji Tsuke Napolitan |
| Aichi Prefecture | Taiwan Ramen |
| Aichi Prefecture | Taiwan Mazesoba |
| Aichi Prefecture | Koraikei Ramen |
| Aichi Prefecture | Betocon Ramen |
| Aichi Prefecture | Egg Wrapped Ramen |
| Mie Prefecture | Kameyama Ramen |
Kansai Area
| Kyoto Prefecture | Kyoto Ramen |
| Kyoto Prefecture | Kyoto Style Ramen |
| Kyoto Prefecture | Keeshima |
| Osaka Prefecture | Takaida Style Ramen |
| Osaka Prefecture | Osaka Light Tonkotsu |
| Hyogo Prefecture | Kobe Ramen |
| Hyogo Prefecture | Ekisoba |
| Hyogo Prefecture | Banshu Ramen |
| Hyogo Prefecture | Banshu Akaho Salt Ramen |
| Hyogo Prefecture | Amagasaki Ankake Champon |
| Shiga Prefecture | Omi Champon |
| Nara Prefecture | Tenri Ramen |
| Wakayama Prefecture | Wakayama Ramen |
Chugoku & Shikoku Area
| Tottori Prefecture | Plain Ramen |
| Tottori Prefecture | Tottori Beef Bone Ramen |
| Shimane & Tottori Prefecture | San’in Champon |
| Shimane Prefecture | Shijimi Ramen |
| Shimane Prefecture | Matsue Ramen |
| Okayama Prefecture | Okayama Ramen |
| Okayama Prefecture | Tonkatsu Ramen |
| Okayama Prefecture | Niimi Ramen |
| Okayama Prefecture | Kasaoka Ramen |
| Hiroshima Prefecture | Hiroshima Ramen |
| Hiroshima Prefecture | Hiroshima Style Tsukemen |
| Hiroshima Prefecture | Brothless Dandan Noodles |
| Hiroshima Prefecture | Onomichi Ramen |
| Hiroshima Prefecture | Kure Cold Noodles |
| Yamaguchi Prefecture | Ube Ramen |
| Yamaguchi Prefecture | Kudamatsu Beef Bone Ramen |
| Yamaguchi Prefecture | Setouchi Ramen Iriko Soba |
| Tokushima Prefecture | Tokushima Ramen |
| Ehime Prefecture | Matsuyama Gyo Ramen |
| Ehime Prefecture | Imabari Ramen |
| Ehime Prefecture | Yawatahama Champon |
| Kochi Prefecture | Miso Katsu Ramen |
| Kochi Prefecture | Susaki Nabeyaki Ramen |
| Kochi Prefecture | Chu-nichi Soba |
Kyushu & Okinawa Area
| Fukuoka Prefecture | Hakata Ramen |
| Fukuoka Prefecture | Nagahama Ramen |
| Fukuoka Prefecture | Yaki Ramen |
| Fukuoka Prefecture | Kurume Ramen |
| Fukuoka Prefecture | Chanlar |
| Fukuoka Prefecture | Tobata Champon |
| Saga Prefecture | Saga Ramen |
| Saga Prefecture | Saga Champon |
| Saga Prefecture | Majenba |
| Nagasaki Prefecture | Agodashi Ramen |
| Nagasaki Prefecture | Nagasaki Champon |
| Kumamoto Prefecture | Kumamoto Ramen |
| Kumamoto Prefecture | Tamana Ramen |
| Kumamoto Prefecture | Amakusa Champon |
| Kumamoto Prefecture | Taihei En |
| Oita Prefecture | Saiki Ramen |
| Oita Prefecture | Beppu Cold Noodles |
| Miyazaki Prefecture | Miyazaki Ramen |
| Miyazaki Prefecture | Miyazaki Spicy Noodles |
| Kagoshima Prefecture | Kagoshima Ramen |
| Kagoshima Prefecture | Kushikino Tuna Ramen |
| Kagoshima Prefecture | Makurazaki Bonito Ramen |
| Okinawa Prefecture | Chura Salt Ramen |
| Okinawa Prefecture | Okinawa Soba |
Seven Definitions of Local Ramen
The Japan Ramen Association lists a ramen as “local ramen” if it meets at least two of the following seven criteria:
- Has a proven track record in the region
- Has unique characteristics or definitions
- Has a history of over 20 years
- Is well-known (e.g., has branches in other prefectures or in Tokyo, has participated in department store events)
- Represents the local “food culture” or “social background”
- Has a supporting organization
- The menu name is set by a public institution such as the local government
Newly Listed Ramen for 2024
The three newly listed ramen for this year are:
- Yamanashi Genmizu Ramen (Yamanashi Prefecture) A ramen unique to the Yamanashi region, blessed with rich nature and pure water. Utilizing fresh local ingredients, it is particularly noted for the high quality of the water. The water in Yamanashi is known for its purity and excellent mineral balance, enhancing the flavor of many dishes.
- Aho-men (Kanagawa Prefecture) A unique local ramen born in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Named from the Spanish word “ajo” meaning garlic, it uses a large amount of garlic. Aho-men is characterized by its intense flavor, making it irresistible for garlic lovers.
- Shinshu Miso Ramen (Nagano Prefecture) A local ramen using Shinshu miso, a specialty of Nagano Prefecture. Shinshu miso is widely known throughout Japan for its deep richness and flavor. Shinshu Miso Ramen features a rich yet refreshing taste, with this miso as the base for its soup.
In addition to last year’s 180 varieties, three new ones have been added.
The “List of Japan’s Local Ramen,” announced annually by the Japan Ramen Association, is one of the most anticipated events for ramen fans. The addition of new ramen increases interest in local ramen culture and might spark interest in those regions. Knowing what local ramen exists can expand the joy of eating out when traveling or taking a short trip, thinking, “Oh, there’s Sano Ramen here.”
The “Japan Local Ramen General Election 2024” in October will be something to look forward to, as we find out which ramen will be chosen as the best in Japan.