Local Food in Hyogo – Banshu

The year 2020 is ending soon! Autumn in Hong Kong has a cool and dry climate, which is the best season to start eating Ramen. Today, let’s talk about delicious local food in Hyogo, Banshu Ramen. I am sure that everyone has heard about Japanese Ramen. But only very few foreigners know Banshu Ramen. After reading this article, you will have a new target when you go to Kansai!

Photo by Nishiwaki City Tourist Association 元祖！ご当地グルメ 播州ラーメン What is Banshu Ramen? Banshu Ramen was born in Nishiwaki city, Hyogo, which is located in the North Harima Area. It is a popular food in , and of course in Hyogo. The characteristic that makes Banshu Ramen special within different types of Japanese Ramen, is the unique sweet soup. Compare to other Ramen, Banshu Ramen is lighter. It is a type of shoyu ramen (soy sauce flavored soup). It has thin noodles and simple, basic ingredients, such as Chashu (Japanese Braised Pork Belly), sprouts, green onion and seaweed. Therefore, many elderly people love Banshu Ramen. There is no specific standard for Banshu Ramen, so Banshu Ramen are different depends on the Ramen restaurant. Although the soup might have different color or taste, the soup stock is usually made by pork, chicken bones, and vegetables.

Where did Banshu Ramen come from? In the 1950s, the industry of Banshu Ori (cotton fabric) is very popular in Hyogo. Many young female workers came to Nishiwaki City. To cater for different customers’ tastes and preferences, Banshu Ramen was born.

Hyogo Business & Tourism Centre (HK)

Now, we will introduce 3 Banshu Ramen Restaurants, which are recognized as pure Banshu Ramen by Nishiwaki Taka Ryoin Association.

かおるちゃんらーめん（Kaoru Chan Ramen） Kaoru Chan Ramen was opened since 1975. They have Izakaya menu, rather than only severing ramen. The type of noodle here is quite think compared to “normal” ramen. They used 8 types of vegetables, chicken bone, and pork bone to make the soup stock. Also, you can add Seabura (pork back fat) to make it tastes richer. Address: 185 Ueno, Nishiwaki City, Hyogo

畑やんラーメン（Hatayan Ramen） Hatayan Ramen was opened since 1957, it is located at Taka town. During the 1950s, it was a movable , (屋 台). The soup stock is made by chicken bones, pork bones, vegetables, oxtail, scallop, flying fish, leaving a pleasant aftertaste in your mouth. Address: 805-10 Naka-ku Morimoto, Taka-cho, Taka-gun, Hyogo

西脇大橋ラーメン（Nishiwaki Ohashi Ramen） They start their business at the western end of Nishiwaki Ohashi Bridge in 1991. It is one of the most symbolic Banshu Ramen Restaurants on the mass media. The noodle here is a little bit thick. For the soup, they use the same type of soy sauce for 50 years, adding pork bones, chicken bones, different types of vegetables…etc. They also have a special menu called JUMBO Ramen (2 servings of noodle). Address: 432-7 Ueno, Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Additionally, stores in Hyogo also sell instant Banshu Ramen! Although we can’t travel to Hyogo due to COVID-19, you can buy instant Banshu Ramen from the internet. Of course, there are also many Banshu Ramen restaurants other than those introduced by Nishiwaki Taka Ryoin Association. You might find many amazing Banshu Ramen in Hyogo!

Please visit the official home page for details (Japanese) Nishiwaki City Tourist Association 元祖！ご当地グルメ 播州ラーメン http://www.nishiwaki-kanko.jp/banshu-ramen/index.html

Hyogo Business & Tourism Centre (HK)