Koriyama Black Ramen — A Surprisingly Mild Bowl with Deep Soy Sauce Flavor

Koriyama Black Ramen is a local ramen style from Koriyama City in Fukushima Prefecture, known for its jet-black soup. Its roots are said to date back to around 1917, and it has long been enjoyed as a local comfort food.

Its biggest appeal is how surprisingly mild it is compared to how it looks. While Toyama Black Ramen is often associated with a background story of being created for “salt replenishment,” Koriyama Black is ramen that people eat as an everyday meal. When you actually taste the soup, many find it light rather than heavy—mellow and easy to drink despite the dark color.

In that sense, Fukushima has its own “black” ramen that stands apart from the region’s other famous styles like Kitakata and Shirakawa. The appearance may feel intimidating at first, but that’s exactly what makes it a great B-class gourmet experience. Take one sip and see for yourself—the gap between its look and its taste is the whole point.