In this guide
Ramen Marui Junibancho (まるイ 十二番丁店)
Ramen Marui is a famous ramen shop in Japan with two locations. The second branch of the popular Ramen Marui is in Nakanoshima, Wakayama City. Ramen Marui’s Juniban-cho shop is just a 10-minute walk from Wakayamashi Station.
Using carefully selected ingredients—such as chashu pork fillet made from Kagoshima Sanmi-ton pork (also used in high-end inns)—the shop is particularly known for its use of ryokuho kuronegi green onions (a type of kujonegi onion). The springy house-made noodles, tonkotsu broth slowly simmered over two days, and generous topping of chopped spring onions are sure to whet the appetite. The restaurant also offers a full weekday lunch set menu; the half-size ramen and rice set is especially popular with women.
Wakayama Ramen
Wakayama ramen is often described as Tokyo-style ramen served in Tokushima broth. In Wakayama, it is usually referred to as chuka-soba (Chinese noodles). The noodles in Wakayama ramen are thin and straight, while the soup can either be clear and soy sauce–flavored (shako-mae style), or a blend of tonkotsu base and soy sauce.
Pork ribs are one of the most common additional ingredients in Wakayama ramen, and it is typically served with a boiled egg with a runny yolk (rather than the raw egg often served with Tokushima ramen). Interestingly, Wakayama ramen is often served with sushi on the side—and when it’s time to pay, guests tell the staff how many of these side dishes they’ve eaten.
Restaurant Information
- Style: Ramen restaurant
- Address: 87 Junibancho, Le Chateau Junibancho 1F, Wakayama 640-8158, Wakayama Prefecture
- Telephone: 073-425-6678
- Opening hours:
- Mon–Sat: 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:30)
- Sun: 11:00–17:00
Access
- Nearest station: 10 minutes on foot from Wakayamashi Station (JR Kisei Line)
