Ishikawa

The ramen from the chain restaurant “Hachiban Ramen,” which has been around for over 50 years, is Ishikawa’s soul food. They offer salt, miso, soy sauce, and butter flavors, but I’ve always been a salt-only person since I was little! Thick noodles with heaps of stir-fried vegetables. It’s similar to champon but not quite—truly a one-of-a-kind ramen beloved by the locals.

（Mikity）

Just like the catchphrase “Why is it, Hachiban?” the people of Ishikawa find themselves instinctively rushing to “Hachiban Ramen.” Many choose the hot and sour soup noodles in winter. With a generous sprinkle of their original pepper and a mouthful of vegetable toppings, savoring the soup’s sweetness, you can’t help but think, “Why is it, Hachiban?”

（Manju Very Much）

A soul food of the Hokuriku region! From eating it with family as a child to ordering delivery as an adult on my days off, it has always been there for me. I love how it lets you enjoy plenty of vegetables.

（Sono）

It’s a chain restaurant that everyone in Ishikawa knows. Since the taste varies by location, everyone has their favorite store. It’s got to be the vegetable ramen. You can choose the flavor depending on your mood that day. It’s the taste I crave whenever I return to my hometown.

（Saya）

The Karamen noodles at “Hachiban Ramen” are warm but brothless, making them gentle on people sensitive to heat. You can fully enjoy the noodles. At a branch in Komatsu City, they recommended adding vinegar, which makes it even more refreshing and delicious! It’s a relatively new menu item for me, but it’s already my favorite.

（Chibiparu）

This chain restaurant originated in Ishikawa Prefecture. My recommendations are the vegetable ramen (salt) and the hot and sour soup noodles available in winter!

（Isu）

Adding vinegar to “Hachiban Ramen’s” vegetable ramen (salt) or karamen noodles is highly recommended. I always struggle to decide which one to eat.

（Hossy）

It’s a chain restaurant located along National Route 8. In addition to Ishikawa, where my family home is, you can find it in neighboring Toyama and Fukui Prefectures. Oddly enough, there’s also a branch in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, which isn’t on Route 8. (Laughs) Among their seasonal offerings, my favorite is their summer ramen—“Zaru Ramen.” The noodles are served on a shallow basket and dipped in a slightly tangy sauce, making it perfect for reviving a summer-weary body. With so many enticing ramen options, I hope you visit the Hokuriku region to try it out if you get the chance!

（Kobamisa）

The vegetable ramen is loaded with cabbage, bean sprouts, and other vegetables, making it guilt-free. I like how they offer a smaller size for women. The gyoza and karaage sets are also delicious!

（Akikorin）

Ishikawa’s soul food. The gyoza set is a classic, but the fried rice is hard to resist too. There are about five flavors of ramen, but I grew up eating the salt flavor. Interestingly, the taste varies slightly between branches. Personally, I recommend the Noto Yanagida branch.

（Hikono）

The phrase from their commercial, “Why is it, Hachiban?” is well-known among residents. The vegetable ramen, with its generous helping of vegetables, is delicious! You can choose from salt, miso, soy sauce, or butter flavors for the vegetable ramen. Families seem to have their favorites, like “Team Salt!” or “Team Miso!” (Laughs) I’m Team Salt! I eat it steaming hot with gusto. It’s a comforting flavor that appeals to all ages. The bite-sized gyoza is also delightful and easy to keep popping into your mouth! It’s a ramen restaurant where you can enjoy a meal with family, as a couple, or even by yourself.

（Hiyoko）

This ramen features a comforting, mild soup topped with lots of vegetables such as cabbage, bean sprouts, and carrots. Many of the people around me ultimately declare it their favorite.

（Ri）

The crispy vegetable toppings on the ramen are well-loved. If you ask Ishikawa residents, “Why is it?” most will respond, “Hachiban.”

（Yu-san）

With thick noodles, plenty of bean sprouts, and just the right amount of saltiness, it’s incredibly addictive. Not only can you enjoy it at restaurants, but it’s also available as packaged noodles in supermarkets, making it easy to eat at home. A soul food from Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture.

（Akikorin）

Packed with vegetables and coated in a salty sauce that clings perfectly to the thick noodles, it’s irresistible. Sold at local supermarkets, I always find myself buying it.

（Menma）

The first school I worked at was in Komatsu City, and I first encountered Komatsu Shio Yakisoba at “Kiyochan,” where I often went with my colleague. Until then, yakisoba for me meant sauce flavor, but I became hooked on the salty version with its crunchy bean sprouts, carrots, green onions, and other vegetables! The salt yakisoba from “Nakaishi Shokuhin Kogyo” is also available at supermarkets, so my family almost always opts for salt yakisoba.

（Chaki）

It’s said that even Matsuo Basho ate this dish. It has a pleasant texture and is very easy to eat thanks to its simple broth.

（Menma）

Handmade, with a smooth texture, and a mild broth that’s so delicious you’ll want to finish every drop. The niku udon is the best.

（Azumari）

I recommend the winter menu items that can be found in restaurants like “Kadotcho Sohonten” and “Otafuku” in Kanazawa City. It’s a piping hot boiled udon dish topped with a generous amount of hot sauce. There are no toppings, and it’s served with grated ginger as a condiment.

（Kanazawa no Kamaboko niwa Ita ga Nai）

Thick, chewy noodles. Lightly seasoned broth. Add tempura as a topping, and it’s pure bliss.

（Akikorin）

You can find it at long-standing udon restaurants in Kanazawa, such as “Otafukuya.” It’s loaded with vegetables, making it perfect for lunch. You can also change the flavor with the provided sauces.

（Nanamin）

A summer dish from Kanazawa’s home kitchens, it’s light and easy to eat even when you’re not feeling hungry. The basic recipe involves eating boiled eggplant and somen noodles together in a soy sauce-based broth. Depending on the household, it can be slightly sweet or feature a strong ginger flavor. It’s also sometimes served as a side dish at small eateries.

（Yosuke）

For some reason, this packaged noodle has become wildly popular in Ishikawa Prefecture. Although it’s made outside the prefecture, Ishikawa residents consume it more than those in the production area. They probably think it’s eaten nationwide.

（Neko no Mochi）