Wakayama Is Full of Delicious Ramen Shops!

When you hear "Wakayama," many people might think of specialty products like mandarin oranges or pickled plums, but ramen is actually another type of gourmet food deeply loved by locals. The prefecture, especially the city, is dotted with unique ramen shops that pride themselves on their particular soups and noodles, each with a loyal following. Whether you drop by during your travels or visit specifically for the ramen, the sheer variety of flavors in Wakayama makes comparing them incredibly fun. From small shops with only a counter that are crowded with local regulars to cutting-edge stores serving "Instagrammable" ramen that becomes the talk of social media, the genres and atmospheres are diverse, allowing you to choose based on your mood that day. If you go to Wakayama, be sure to visit as many ramen shops as you can.

10 Recommended Ramen Spots in Wakayama

Chuka Soba Senmonten Ide Shoten

When talking about representative Wakayama ramen shops, "Chuka Soba Senmonten Ide Shoten" is the one. Starting as a street stall in 1953, it became nationally famous after winning a TV competition. It has convenient access, being about a 6-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station. There is a private parking lot available for about 10 cars.

As a leading example of the "Ide-style" of Wakayama ramen, you can enjoy a bowl that combines soy sauce with a broth made by slowly simmering pork bones. The rich, thick soup is not as heavy as it looks and has a clean aftertaste. It pairs perfectly with the thin, straight noodles. Their popular "Tokusei Chuka Soba" comes with plenty of chashu pork, and the Wakayama specialty "Haya-zushi" (vinegared mackerel sushi) is a perfect pairing you must try. Please come and enjoy a bowl that has earned its place on the Tabelog Ramen WEST Top 100 list.

Yamata Shokudo

Established in 1953, "Yamata Shokudo" is a long-standing shop that has been loved in Wakayama for years. It is about a 10-minute walk from JR/Nankai Wakayamashi Station, and its Showa-retro exterior is a landmark. There is a private parking lot in front of and across from the shop, and for customers spending over 500 yen, you can receive a 1-hour free parking ticket for the nearby Johoku Parking lot.

While there are two major lineages of Wakayama ramen—Ide-style and Shakomae-style—this shop is known for its unique "Yamata-style," which adds seafood flavors. The rich, thick pork bone soy sauce broth has a surprisingly clean aftertaste compared to its appearance. It goes perfectly with the thick, firm noodles. The popular "Chuka Soba" features melt-in-your-mouth tender chashu that is so soft you can't even pick it up with chopsticks. Do enjoy a bowl from this acclaimed establishment that has been inducted into the Ramen Walker Grand Prix Hall of Fame.

Ramen Marui Juniban-cho Store

With a visual impact that is truly outstanding, "Ramen Marui Juniban-cho Store" is a Wakayama ramen shop famous for its mountain of green onions. It is located about a 9-minute walk from Nankai Wakayamashi Station, in a prime location near Wakayama Castle and City Hall. There are parking spaces in front of the store, and service tickets are provided for nearby partnered parking lots.

Featured in the Michelin Guide Wakayama 2022, this acclaimed shop takes pride in its homemade noodles and rich pork bone soy sauce broth that has been simmered for over 13 hours. Their specialty is the "Ryokuhokuro-negi" (Green Jewel Black Scallion) style, topped with a massive amount of Kujo green onions that cover the bowl, offering a fantastic balance between the sweetness of the onions and the richness of the soup. The melt-in-your-mouth chashu made from Kagoshima Samma pork is also exceptional. The bright, cafe-like interior is popular with women and families, and it's a great point that they are open year-round.

Ramen Bakumatsu Wakayama-jo Store

With its main store in Gobo City, "Ramen Bakumatsu Wakayama-jo Store" is a popular shop with 5 locations in Wakayama Prefecture. It is a 10-minute walk from Nankai Wakayamashi Station, a convenient location for sightseeing right next to Wakayama Castle.

They take pride in their matured broth, which is made by slowly simmering pork bone, chicken, and vegetables, then letting it rest overnight. It has plenty of depth and flavor while remaining easy to eat with a clean aftertaste. The Hakata-style thin noodles are homemade, and you can even choose your preferred firmness, such as "bari-kata" (extra firm). The chashu is so tender it practically melts in your mouth. In addition to their standard "Tonkotsu Ramen," their tangy "Umaka Ramen" and fragrant "Ma-yu (black garlic oil) Ramen" are also popular. We also recommend enjoying it with a side of their "Mini Bakumatsu Don."

Marusan

Established in 1954, "Marusan" is a famous Wakayama ramen shop boasting over 70 years of history. Located along the Shioya Highway, it is right by the Wakayama Bus "Shioya" stop. While they have a large parking lot, it is a very popular shop that attracts queues, so we recommend visiting with plenty of time to spare.

Known as a premier representative of the "Ide-style" operated by relatives of Ide Shoten, it is an acclaimed shop selected for the Tabelog Ramen WEST Top 100. The rich pork bone soy sauce broth is thick yet leaves a clean aftertaste, pairing beautifully with the thin, straight noodles. The melt-in-your-mouth tender chashu is also exceptional. In addition to the standard "Chuka Soba," their chashu-loaded "Tokusei" version is also popular. The "Wakayama way" to enjoy it while you wait is to snack on the boiled eggs or "Haya-nare sushi" available on the table.

Menya Joroku Kino Wakayama Store

Opened in 2020 as the second branch of the popular shop "Menya Joroku," which has constant queues in Ura-Namba, Osaka, the Kino Wakayama store offers unbeatable access, located directly within Kino Wakayama, connected to Nankai Wakayamashi Station.

Their signature menu item is the "Chuka Soba," which is an arrangement of the Osaka Takai-da style. The jet-black soy sauce broth is not as salty as it looks, and is characterized by a deep flavor with the richness of chicken and pork bones. The medium-thick straight noodles pick up the soup well, making for a satisfying meal. The juicy chashu meat-topping is popular, and you shouldn't miss the limited-time menus like salt or dried-sardine soy sauce ramen. Being directly connected to the station makes it convenient to drop by while waiting for a train.

Moto-Shakomae Marumiya Chuka Soba Main Store

Opened in 2020 as the second branch of the popular shop "Menya Joroku," which has queues in Ura-Namba, Osaka. This shop was opened in their hometown by a store owner born in Wakayama City, and offers unbeatable access right outside the ticket gate of Nankai Wakayamashi Station.

Their specialty is the "Chuka Soba," an arrangement of East Osaka Takai-da style ramen. The black-colored soy sauce broth is known for being easy to drink with a clean aftertaste, despite the robust chicken broth flavor. The medium-thick straight noodles have a nice chewiness and pair excellently with the soup. The thinly sliced chashu has a refreshing flavor, and extra meat is a popular topping. With limited-time menus like salt ramen and dried-sardine soy sauce ramen, you'll always find a reason to come back for another bowl.

Ramen Kametoku

"Ramen Kametoku" offers "Chintan" (clear broth) style ramen, which is rare in Wakayama. It is located along the Keyaki-Odori street connecting JR Wakayama Station and Wakayama Castle, about a 7-minute walk from the station. It has gained attention as an acclaimed shop, having won the runner-up Grand Prix in "Ultimate Ramen 2025 Kansai."

Their signature "Nagoya Cochin Soy Sauce Ramen" takes pride in its clear broth, slowly extracted from whole "Nagoya Cochin"—one of Japan's top three local chicken breeds. The seasoning is a unique blend of Yuasa soy sauce, a Wakayama pride, resulting in a bowl where the richness of the chicken and the aroma of the soy sauce are in perfect harmony. The three types of chashu—pork belly, pork shoulder loin, and chicken breast—are luxurious, and the fact that they use no chemical seasonings is a welcome bonus. The cafe-style, stylish interior makes it easy for even a solo woman to enter.

Maruman Ramen Kyuban-cho Store

"Maruman Ramen Kyuban-cho Store" serves the new Wakayama staple, "Kishu Tonkotsu." It is in a prime location just north of Wakayama City Hall, about a 1-minute walk from the "Shiyakusho-mae" bus stop. There is no private parking, but they offer a 60-minute free service for the municipal parking lot, so you can visit by car with peace of mind.

Handled by an owner with extensive training in traditional Japanese cuisine (Kappo), their ramen prides itself on a creamy soup that suppresses the characteristic odor of pork bones. You can choose from white, red, or black bases, and the most popular "White Tonkotsu" is rich yet has a clean aftertaste, pairing perfectly with the Hakata-style extra-fine noodles. It is well-stocked with toppings like melt-in-your-mouth chashu and half-boiled eggs. The modern interior, featuring a single slab of Japanese cypress wood, has a cafe-like atmosphere that makes it easy to drop in alone.

Chuka Soba Senmonten Seizen

Known as a premier representative of "Ide-style" Wakayama ramen, "Chuka Soba Senmonten Seizen" is located just north of the Wakayama-Kita Interchange on the Hanwa Expressway. Access by car is convenient, as they have parking available in front of and across from the store. As an acclaimed shop that won the Gold Prize in the Ramen Walker Grand Prix 2013 Wakayama General Category, it is widely supported by both locals and tourists alike.

Their signature "Chuka Soba" prides itself on a rich pork bone soy sauce soup that has been slowly simmered. The soup, bamboo shoots (menma), and roast pork are all handmade, maintaining a taste that hasn't changed in years. The straight noodles have a smooth texture and pair perfectly with the rich soup. On the table, you'll find sushi and boiled eggs; it's a unique Wakayama style where you simply report what you've eaten at the end.

Let's Eat Delicious Ramen in Wakayama!

There are still many more attractive ramen shops in Wakayama that you won't forget after one bite. A point that is irresistible for ramen lovers is that you can enjoy not just standard Wakayama ramen, but also bowls overflowing with individuality and ingenuity at each shop. It's also great to have the freedom to choose from light to rich styles according to your mood or hunger level that day. Above all, I feel the charm of Wakayama ramen is that every shop puts the owner's commitment and passion into their work, allowing you to enjoy a level of satisfaction that goes beyond just a meal. Wakayama is a place where you'll encounter ramen that makes you think about which shop to visit next, or makes you want to verify that flavor one more time. Why not visit Wakayama again and again to find your own favorite bowl?