Ramen is a quintessential noodle dish representing Japan. It’s likely that even foreign travelers think, “When in Japan, I have to try ramen!” There’s a wide variety of flavors in ramen, such as soy sauce, salt, miso, and regional styles like “iekei” ramen. The taste can vary greatly depending on the restaurant.
As a Japanese person, I’ve sometimes wondered if people ever get tired of eating ramen every day. However, during a trip to Italy, I found myself adopting the mentality of “When in Italy, eat pasta!” without getting tired of it, enjoying the variety of flavors. It became a fond memory of my travels.
In Japan, although ramen can be enjoyed nationwide, there are also numerous regional variations. This time, let’s introduce “Gyukotsu Ramen.”
Gyukotsu Ramen is said to originate from Yonago City in Tottori Prefecture. It became popular around the post-war period (around 1945). Even during times of food shortages, beef bones were readily available and affordable, hence their use in this dish. Tottori Prefecture has been known for its quality beef since the Edo period, making it a natural choice for this regional specialty.
Although not widely known, Gyukotsu Ramen is a popular dish in Tottori. I had the pleasure of trying it at “Gyukotsu Ramen Takaguna Yonago Nishifukuhara Branch,” and it was incredibly delicious. The soup, made from beef bones, has a subtle sweetness and is packed with umami flavor despite being light. The crunchy green onions and thinly sliced bamboo shoots add to the experience.
The photo shows a ramen with “all toppings,” including egg, char siu pork, and seaweed.
The lightness of the soup makes it very easy to drink, unlike the rich and heavy tonkotsu ramen. While it might be too light for those who love tonkotsu ramen, the richness of flavor is undeniable, making it worth a try.
Gyukotsu Ramen can also be found in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, so if you’re short on time, you can try it there as well!
For those with the time, I highly recommend trying authentic Gyukotsu Ramen in Tottori. It could become a cherished memory of your travels!