Featured in the Michelin Guide! A very popular ramen restaurant where you can enjoy "noodles and sake" in the sunny land of Okayama Prefecture

• Table of Contents
• What is "Issyoan Noodle Bar Main Branch"?
• The special features of "Menshu Isshoan"
• If you can't decide, try this! "Chicken Chinese Noodles with Clam"
• The hidden popular menu item is the "Spicy Chicken Ramen"
• As the restaurant name suggests, enjoy noodles and sake.
• Ordering Method and Manners
• A word from the owner, Hiroshi Ohno
• Souvenirs and mail order

What is "Issyoan Noodle Bar Main Branch"?

Founded in 2018, Menzake Isshoan appeared like a comet on the Okayama Prefecture ramen scene, ushering in a new era.

The restaurant has quickly risen to an unshakable position, solidifying its status with a listing in the 2021 Michelin Guide, and its fame is spreading throughout the country.

Also, in a ramen shop where turnover is important, this new business style where customers can enjoy both noodles and alcohol is noteworthy. As a result of adopting a self-contained store format, the restaurant has seen a steady stream of repeat customers, not only from the local Okayama prefecture, but from all over Japan and overseas. There are also many reviews in multiple languages ​​on Google Maps, making it a famous restaurant that has been highly rated both domestically and internationally.

The spirit of "O・MO・TE・NA・SHI" is carefully prepared to meet a variety of needs and is sure to satisfy both your mind and body.

The interior of the restaurant is clean, and there are counter and table seats, so it can accommodate a variety of occasions, from one person to large groups.

English menu available . Muslim-friendly certified store .

Access to "Issyoan Noodle Bar Main Branch"

15 minutes walk from JR Okayama Station

3 minutes walk from Post Office Station on the Okayama Electric Railway Seikibashi Line

Nearby is Okayama Castle, one of Okayama's most famous tourist attractions.

Okayama Korakuen, designated as a historical cultural heritage in 1952 and counted as one of Japan's three most famous gardens, is also located nearby.

Why not experience a different world that feels like the Edo period?

The special features of "Menshu Isshoan"

The basic soup is made by adding Japanese-style stock extracted from carefully selected ingredients such as kelp , bonito , and shiitake mushrooms to rich chicken stock made from large quantities of parent chickens .

Ingredients such as aged apple vinegar sourced from Aomori and shottsuru, one of Japan's three major fish sauces, sourced from Akita, are used not only in the ramen but also with consideration given to how they will pair with alcohol .

They are particularly particular about carefully selecting sake, and stock a wide range of brands, from historic breweries to up-and-coming brands.

There is also a great value set available that allows you to compare all three varieties , so this is recommended for those who want to enjoy a variety of flavors.

If you can't decide, try this! "Chicken Chinese Noodles with Clam"

The main menu's chicken ramen is available in three flavors: soy sauce , salt , and clam , with the most popular being the "Chicken Ramen with Clam"

As mentioned above, the rich chicken clear soup made from a large amount of parent chickens is blended with clam , short-neck clam , and mussel stock. In addition, the oil that is essential for forming the ramen is scallop-flavored oil with a rich aroma.

The broth, which is a harmonious blend of chicken and shellfish, has depth and is excellent as a chaser for sake.

In addition, shellfish garlic paste is served on top of the nori seaweed, which you can dissolve in the soup midway through to change up the flavor.

The noodles are custom-made thin noodles with a low water content, perhaps due to the influence of Ippudo, where the owner trained.

The wheat aroma and moderate texture further enhance the soup.

This is a drink that will satisfy any occasion, whether you want it with alcohol or as a way to finish off a night of drinking!

The hidden popular menu item is the "Spicy Chicken Ramen"

In addition to the three main dishes, the secretly popular dish is the "Spicy Chicken Ramen"

This is a bowl of chicken ramen noodles with raw soy sauce and finished with homemade chili oil .

The homemade chili oil , flavored with star anise and Japanese pepper , is topped with deep-fried yellow chives and burdock, a specialty of Okayama Prefecture, and is a perfect match.

The spicy ramen is also popular among overseas customers and reigns as a hidden favorite menu item.

As the restaurant name suggests, enjoy noodles and sake.

The alcoholic beverage lineup is extensive, ranging from draft beer to whiskey highballs and lemon sours.

Among them, there seem to be some particularly carefully selected brands of sake, including popular brands from the local Okayama prefecture, and the selection has been carefully considered to pair well with the ramen, making for an amazing experience.

In addition, there are many chicken dishes that go well with alcohol, such as "Chicken Skin Gyoza" . Among them , "Menya no Potato Salad" with deep-fried noodles is a very popular specialty dish.

Ordering Method and Manners

Here we will introduce how to order and proper etiquette.

How to line up and points to note

When there is a line in front of a store, you will have to wait in line. There are a few things to keep in mind when doing so.

1. Line up at the back.

2. Considering the season and customers with children, you can basically wait for the representative. *However, even if it is your turn, you will be guided only after all the members are present.

3. Do not block the entrances of other stores or homes, and if there are any instructions on the order in which you should queue, follow them.

4. Don't spread out too much on the road. Line up in a straight line.

Please follow the rules so that everyone can have a good time.

How to order

There are two main ways to order at ramen restaurants in Japan: buying a ticket from a ticket vending machine, or looking at the menu and ordering verbally.

If you order from the ticket machine, hand the ticket to the staff before sitting down and they will guide you to your seat. If you order verbally, you will be guided to your seat and you can order after you sit down.

At Issyoan Noodle Bar Main Branch, ordering is done verbally. After you sit down, choose a menu item and call out to a staff member to place your order.

A word from the owner, Hiroshi Ohno

Menshu Isshoan is committed to making ramen with the concept of "A cup that lights up a corner, a cup that lights up Okayama."

The origin of the store name is because it illuminates a corner of Buddhist terminology.

He believes that it is his duty to shine brightly in the place, and the ramen seasoning he puts his heart into and the bright smiles of his staff brighten up the area.

Smiles and feelings of gratitude spread to those who come into contact with the light, and the world becomes more peaceful.

We are proud that Isshoan ramen is a tool for "smiles and gratitude."

I want to continue making cups that bring new excitement, smiles, and gratitude.

If you are visiting Okayama, please come to "Menshu Isshoan".

Souvenirs and mail order

Menzake Isshoan has an e-commerce website so that customers who live far away can enjoy their products in the comfort of their own home.

You will be amazed at the quality, which is comparable to what you would get at a restaurant. It also makes a great gift.

Order it here

Store holidays and business hours

[Opening hours] 11:00-23:30 (last order 22:45) *There may be days when there are breaks.

[Store closed days] Wednesdays, irregular holidays

*Business hours and store holidays may change. Please check the official X (formerly Twitter) for details.

Issyoan Noodle Bar Main Branch

700-0821 1-7-16 Nakayamashita, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefectu...

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