The reason I didn't order breakfast at the hotel is because they serve it from 9:30 am, so I opted for morning ramen instead. When I arrived at the restaurant around that time, it was already full. The owner, who appeared to be the second generation, came out and directed waiting customers to a neighboring restaurant called "Famushikku," which seemed to be the waiting area. The waiting room quickly filled up with customers. The owner came out again to take orders. He first asked where we were from and then took our orders. The routine of asking where customers are from continued inside the ramen shop, with customers being referred to by their origin. The owner was charming and engaging, making everyone feel at ease. Most customers ordered soy sauce ramen, but the owner encouraged us to try salt or miso ramen as well. The interaction was friendly and created a warm atmosphere in the waiting room. Once inside the ramen shop, the third-generation chef continued to make ramen while chatting with customers from Tokyo, Kanagawa, and even greeting Korean tourists in Korean. The ramen had a light soup with a gentle soy sauce flavor that was perfect for breakfast. Overall, it was a heartwarming and delicious ramen experience.

A ramen shop that opens from 9:30 in the morning. I visited around 10:30 on a weekday. There wasn't much of a line, but the shop was full. When I left, there was a slight line forming. The service here is warm and welcoming, with a kind elderly couple who really take care of you. It gives off a cozy, local vibe. They offer three types of ramen: soy sauce, miso, and salt. I had the soy sauce ramen. It had a simple and beautiful presentation. The noodles were thin and curly, which I liked. The chashu was thin but large and had a delicious presence. The soup was rich and just the right level of thickness, making it endlessly drinkable. Overall, it was a wonderfully delicious ramen with a perfect balance of flavors.

I visited Aoba-san after walking about 10 minutes from Asahikawa Station! There is a waiting area next to the shop where you place your order and wait until your number is called. While waiting, the famous owner recommended their soy sauce ramen for first-timers and mentioned that Sota Fukushi had visited during the filming of the movie "Ito". After about 10 minutes of waiting, I moved to my seat and was served piping hot ramen! The hot soup remained delicious until the last bite! The soy sauce ramen was the best I've ever had, with a large serving costing 950 yen. The amount of noodles, the curliness of the noodles, and the chashu all paired perfectly with the soy sauce-based soup. It was seriously delicious! Payment is cash only!

■ Regular Oil Chashu Ramen ¥1000 + Egg ¥100 When you slurp the soup with plenty of lard, you can easily feel the seafood flavor. Then comes the taste of animal broth. And as expected of Asahikawa ramen, a subtle bitterness or rather a savory aroma spreads. Delicious... too delicious... The noodles are slightly firm with low water content. This pairs perfectly with the soup. How did they create such a delicious ramen? The chashu is thin but flavorful, and the collaboration with the soup is noteworthy. And, have you all not forgotten? The topping from Aoba-san, the "egg" (￣▽￣) Having it or not changes the whole experience of a bowl. A perfectly seasoned soft-boiled egg. I couldn't help but smile in happiness while eating it. (*^^*) Overall, I arrived just before 11:00 on a Monday and had to wait for about 5 minutes to get in. As always, the mother's hospitality was warm, and parents with children were smiling happily. The owner seemed to be quite pleased with the young female customers, but that's just a small detail. As a representative food tourism spot in Asahikawa City, it's a good place. However, the ramen is delicious. Personally, I prefer it over Sapporo ramen. Fortunately, it's just a few hours' drive away, and I feel grateful that such a ramen shop exists in Hokkaido.

One of the top ramen battlegrounds in the world, Asahikawa. I am a true-born and raised Asahikawa local for about 50 years. First, a little digression or preface. Since I can remember, I have been eating ramen in the city and outside the city. Ramen has always been a familiar food since childhood. Over 40 years ago, there were more than 10 ramen shops within a 1km radius of my family home in Kamii, so we often ordered delivery rather than going out to eat. If I went to a classmate's house to play, we would order ramen for delivery... and when I visited my uncle and aunt who lived in the city, we would also order ramen for delivery. At that time, the only place I would go to eat was Marushin, a ramen shop inside a supermarket called A Co-op 2F in Kamii Crossroads, which I used to go to with my grandfather. Ramen is the soul food of Asahikawa people, right?... Well, ramen is the staple food of the citizens! I've eaten so much ramen that I'm really tired of it. To be honest, as long as it's not terribly bad, I'm fine with anything that has the name ramen in it. I don't go out of my way to eat ramen in the city, I'm fine with delivery from nearby, and if I feel like it, I can buy pork bones at the supermarket, cook them slowly with vegetables to make broth, and make it myself, you know? The other day, I had some really terrible ramen in Kamikawa (/ω＼)... and that made me snap... It made me feel so frustrated and sad that I finally did something reckless. I thought, if I'm feeling so disappointed and frustrated, why not try eating ramen at several shops in a few days? So this time, I mainly visited shops in the city that have been around for over 50 years and are considered old establishments, as well as shops that are closely related to old establishments or affiliated with them. I went to a few shops in a few days because I thought that if I left too much time in between, I wouldn't be able to compare them. And I even went to some shops on the same day for lunch and dinner... Also, if there were shops that I personally felt were not worth going to because I had been there before or because I felt like, "Hmm, this place is a bit...," I didn't go. I was able to do this because I am from Asahikawa, but... well, I don't think many people would do something like this... I'm not going to evaluate things like "the atmosphere of the shop," "the service," "the hygiene," "the price for this," etc., because they're trivial and endless. So, in terms of the flow of the review, I will write about them, but they will not be part of the evaluation! I will evaluate based solely on the taste and content of the ramen served at each shop! I will take this seriously because I really don't want to do something this stupid again in my lifetime! Since I have written in my profile, *Reviews are written based on my personal opinions and values. *People's tastes vary greatly unless something extraordinary happens. *I will not make definitive statements. *I will write based on what I personally felt or thought as subjectively as possible. *Even if I think it might be a problem, I will write it even if I have to wrap it in euphemisms. I visited several shops this time, and as someone who has been eating Asahikawa ramen for many decades, my palate has become quite accustomed to it... Personally, most of the shops I visited were like, "Huh?... Is it really that good?... Is it being hyped up too much?..." But there are a few shops that I still think are really good. My personal ranking of the ones I ate is either in the main text or in the star ratings. I usually write long digressions and tales, but if I start writing, it might turn into a short story, so this time, I will mostly omit them! (Probably...) I hope you can read it with that in mind. I am not a ramen expert, but I have eaten at several old-established ramen shops that are popular with locals in the past few days.

I visited around 12:30 on a weekday. There were about 7 people in line, but I was able to enter in about 10 minutes. While waiting in line, I was asked about the menu and given a number. I was number 81, maybe I was the 81st customer today? When I sat down, my ramen arrived in about 5 minutes. This time, I ordered soy sauce ramen for the first time. The soup was delicious... it had a deep soy sauce flavor that I really liked. The noodles were thin and firm. Maybe because they were thin, it felt like there was a lot of them. Next time, I want to try the salt flavor.

Asahikawa Station area. 6 minutes walk from Asahikawa Station ◇ Business hours 9:30-14:00 15:00-17:30 ◇ Closed on Wednesdays ◇ No parking lot (nearby parking lot 200 yen for 60 minutes) Cash only This shop is rated No. 1 for ramen in Asahikawa City. It is not an exaggeration to say that this shop has laid the foundation for Asahikawa ramen since its establishment in 1947. I have been eating here since I was young. I park my car at a nearby parking lot, and wait as the first customer 25 minutes before opening. There is a line of people before opening. There are counter seats and table seats, and when asked where I came from, I jokingly say I'm from Sapporo. Today's order is the morning ramen at the first shop. ◆ Shoyu Ramen (850 yen) [Soup] The aroma is good. I chose this as my first stop because if I eat a chemical soup first, I will lose my appetite all at once. Indeed, absolutely no chemical seasoning. An excellent soup that doesn't make you thirsty! The soup is made from pork bones, chicken, dried sardines, and kelp, each with a distinct taste and a very good balance. I can only say it's a superb soup with a high level of completion! [Noodles] Homemade noodles boiled firm and made with low water content. The noodles may seem hard to locals in Asahikawa, but to those from outside Asahikawa, they may leave a good impression. The noodles do not absorb the soup's flavor, and when you eat them, they have a chewy but crispy texture, with a large amount of noodles that are delicious to the end. And as you chew, the taste of wheat spreads in your mouth, hitting the mark right in the middle of my preferences! I also like the noodles that have absorbed some soup, but I finish them all at once without the noodles stretching. It was incredibly delicious and impressive! [Chashu, Menma, Green Onions] The toppings are quite ordinary. It's appreciated that they don't interfere with the soup. [Overall] Asahikawa's No. 1 ramen without complaint! It was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

I visited a popular long-established Asahikawa ramen shop. It was around 3 pm on a weekday and there was no wait time, but the restaurant was full. I ordered the soy sauce ramen. It looked light, but surprisingly had a good amount of oil and was satisfying to eat. The waitress, an elderly lady, was very kind.

When I visited Asahikawa, I went to this restaurant. There are few places open in the morning, but here you can have ramen from the morning, which is great. I made it just in time, entering right before opening. Delicious! The staff were warm and welcoming. I would love to visit again if I have the chance!

I really wanted to try the ramen at Aoba-san, so I decided to go around 12:30 during the end of summer vacation. As expected, there was a long line. I think the second-generation grandma was taking verbal order numbers, and after waiting for about 30 minutes, I was called. They don't give you a paper or anything, so make sure to remember your number. The soy sauce ramen was delicious, with an old-fashioned taste that I enjoyed. It was my first time finishing a bowl of soup in a long time! I will definitely visit again if I have the chance.

Representing Asahikawa ramen, this long-established shop often has lines depending on the time. Over half of the customers seemed to be tourists from East Asia. It's a family-run business with a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. They handle a large number of customers efficiently, and the 3rd generation owner's mother, who makes the ramen, contributes greatly to the cozy atmosphere. The Shoyu ramen with egg topping was simple in appearance and taste, reminiscent of the Showa era street stall ramen. The clear layer of oil on top of the simple soy sauce broth is a common sight in Hokkaido. The medium-thick curly noodles are also commonly seen in Hokkaido. The thinly sliced char siu had a slightly raw and sticky texture, while the egg was slightly runny. It's a good experience to try old-fashioned ramen from a long-standing Asahikawa shop, and it tastes good. However, in a time when there are many elaborate ramen shops, a shop with no name value serving the same ramen might not attract many customers. I also thought that the foreign visitors who made the effort to come should know that Japan has many other wonderful ramen options. Additionally, I believe this shop has no relation to the popular ramen shop Chukasoba Aoba in Nakano, Tokyo, which was popular about 20 years ago.

- Visit on Monday at 12:20 PM, with 10 people waiting. Entered at 12:45 PM. - Seating: 10 counter seats, 2 small tables. - Established in 1947, this popular restaurant is known for its original Asahikawa ramen. - Recommended for those who want to try delicious shoyu ramen. - Ordered Shoyu Chashu Ramen for 1,000 yen. - Soup: A rich and hot soup with a smooth taste. It contains the umami flavors of seafood, pork, chicken, and vegetables, with lard floating on top. - Noodles: Medium-thin curly noodles that mix well with the soup. - Toppings: Slightly thin and tender pork belly chashu (4 slices), menma, and green onions.

I had soy sauce ramen. The noodles were thin but had a good bite to them, and they paired well with the not too heavy but flavorful soup. It was very delicious. When I arrived at 11 o'clock, there were exactly 5 people leaving so I was able to get in right away. It seems like there is often a line, so I was lucky.

When visiting in August 2023, I had the classic style ramen with regular oil and a beer for 850 yen and 600 yen respectively. The total bill came to 1,450 yen, including a Kirin Lager. I arrived at the restaurant at 10:08 and left at 10:32. I finished my business in Asahikawa in just over an hour and headed to this famous restaurant. It's a place I always want to eat at when I come to Asahikawa. This time, I opted for the classic style. It took me about 20 minutes to walk to Asahikawa Station, and then just a few minutes from the station to the restaurant. I was sweating a lot from the morning heat. I spotted the restaurant's sign and entered just before 10 am, which is still considered early for ramen. There were two women under the curtain, and I felt a bit out of place as I joined them. The owner, a lively 90-year-old woman, directed us to the waiting area next to what seemed like a former store space. I received the menu from the owner and ordered the regular oil ramen and a beer. She told me my order number was 26, and I wiped off the sweat while waiting. The owner was very talkative and engaged with the customers. She even encouraged us to write in the visitor notebook, although no one seemed to have done so. When my number was called, I entered the restaurant. The beer and ramen arrived together. The beer was a welcome relief for my parched throat. The ramen had simple toppings of chashu, menma, and a little bit of green onion. The noodles had a nostalgic dry taste, and the soup was flavorful yet light. The chashu pork belly went well with the soup. As I read a newspaper article in front of me, I learned that the restaurant is now run by the third generation, with the second generation still present. It's impressive to see the history and taste in the food. Despite the heat, the ramen was delicious and just right for a morning meal. I wonder how it would taste eating it in the snow.

Visited around 11 am on Sunday. In the waiting area, we were asked for our order in advance and ordered the following: - Butter soy sauce ramen with seaweed and corn for 1,150 yen - Butter soy sauce ramen with green onions for 1,050 yen Locals often order simple ramen, while tourists tend to add toppings like butter. There was a notebook in the waiting area, which was the 113th one. The restaurant was established in 1950, and the current owner is the 3rd generation. The 2nd generation was also seen taking orders and handling payments. After a 15-minute wait, we were seated inside and our ramen arrived. The soup had a strong soy sauce flavor, typical of Hokkaido. The firm curly noodles and thinly sliced pork belly char siu added to the Hokkaido essence. The chewy noodles were delightful. Melting the butter made the soy sauce milder, but since the soup already had a good amount of oil, it was delicious even without it. The seasoned bamboo shoots did not overpower the ramen and the added green onions were fragrant and crunchy, enhancing the experience. Although we didn't order it this time, the seasoned soft-boiled egg looked appetizing. The staff were accommodating, allowing us to change our order from the waiting area menu, and greeted us warmly. The overall atmosphere of the restaurant was very pleasant. Grateful for the enduringly beloved taste.

The regular ramen is ¥850. It was delicious. As expected from a popular shop. It seems to be based on pork bone and chicken broth. The flavor is relatively refreshing, but it has a richness probably from using various broths. They seem to not use any chemical seasonings, so there is no unpleasant saltiness. The noodles are thin and almost straight, with a slight twist to them. They are really delicious. They go well with the soup, and the satisfying thinness when slurping is great. The chashu (sliced pork) was also delicious. It was thinly sliced but had a good thickness and tasted great. I went around 9 o'clock and was the third group in line. The turnover is fast, so even if you have to wait, you can get in quickly. I didn't like being somewhat forced by the old man at the shop to decide on the menu, but I guess it adds to the experience.

I visited this place after researching since I was going to Asahikawa anyway! I arrived around 11:30 and there was quite a line. I waited for about 20 minutes chatting with the shop's owner in the waiting area next door. From the first bite, it was delicious! The soy sauce ramen was nostalgic and satisfying. I also tried the refreshing salt ramen recommended by the owner, and both were excellent.

Soy sauce ramen, salt ramen, first visit to Aoba Honten in Asahikawa City. I arrived at 8:30, one hour before the 9:30 opening, and got the first spot in line. Finally achieved the Asahikawa soy sauce ramen, a classic at this famous nationwide shop. As expected, it was an incredibly popular and long line shop.

Hokkaido Wanderlust Travel: Asahikawa City - This is it! (灬º‿º灬)♡ When you drink the Asahikawa ramen soup you've been looking for, a fish-based soup with bonito flakes as the main ingredient spreads, and the lard and pork bone broth come in like a low note, creating a wonderful double soup (๑╹◡╹๑)ﾉ♬ I parked my car in the Ion parking lot next to Asahikawa Station before 9 am and hurried to the restaurant (1 hour free with Ion Card). Although it opens at 9:30, they often open early, so I quickly secured the pole position ♪ Located in the center of Asahikawa's bustling district, they have rented the neighboring and adjacent tenants to use as a waiting room for customers. After a while, the grandmother appeared - the retired former owner's wife. She handed out menus and took orders ahead of the former owner, who then appeared as well. They both started taking orders, but the wife was ahead, so the former owner seemed a bit annoyed. The current owner, the son, also seemed irritated as his parents were wandering around and being intrusive. This kind of Showa-era family drama was enjoyable (◔‿◔). The ramen was delicious, but more importantly, it was clear that the whole family takes great care of the restaurant.

I stopped by on my way back from Asahiyama Zoo. It has a traditional feel. I entered at 1:30 PM, but it was full. While waiting outside, a 90-year-old lady who works there took my order. After a 5-minute wait, I entered. Inside, there are autographs of famous people, with the most notable being former Prime Minister Nakasone. While waiting for my order, I looked at the menu again and noticed that this place refers to ramen as "raumen" instead of "ramen." I don't know why. When my order arrived, I ate it. It was a rich and flavorful seafood soy sauce broth, very delicious! It may seem simple, but bringing out the deliciousness through simplicity is quite difficult. Asahikawa Ramen, you're amazing.

I had the opportunity to visit Asahikawa, so I stopped by the famous Aoba Ramen shop. The ramen was delicious, with perfect harmony between the noodles and toppings. It was so good that I ended up ordering rice as well. I definitely want to go back to this restaurant.