Kenchan Ramen Yamagata
ケンチャンラーメン 山形
Sign in to submit a field report
Ground Intel & Counter Rules
Buy Ticket First
Purchase your food ticket at the vending machine inside the door before joining the queue outside.
The ticket machine rejects ¥10,000 and ¥5,000 notes. Break large notes at a convenience store before arriving.
20 to 45 minutes at lunch
Peak rush runs 11:45 to 13:15 on weekdays. Arrive 15 minutes before opening for shorter waits.
Best for
Ranked #1 in Yamagata City on Tabelog and named a 2025 East Japan Hyakumeiten, this daytime-only shop serves heavy shoyu ramen anchored by dried sardines (niboshi) shipped from Sakaiminato port in Tottori. The kitchen boils the sardines with pork bones, root kelp, and vegetables, pouring the broth over irregular hand-cut noodles with extreme wave and chew. The baseline regular bowl weighs in at a hefty 300 grams of noodles topped with braised pork slices and dark-simmered bamboo shoots.
中華そば 普通・身入 (Chuka Soba Regular with Mi-iri Backfat)
Good to know & entry protocol
A regular bowl contains 300g of noodles, roughly double a standard Tokyo serving; choose small (250g, ¥900) if you want a lighter meal. Always press the free 身入 (mi-iri) button on the ticket machine to add simmered backfat chunks. The shop is cash-only and shuts down the moment noodles sell out, often before 14:00.
Location
Loading…
2-1-17 Nishida, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata (山形県山形市西田2-1-17)
Open in Google MapsGetting there
2-1-17 Nishida, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata (山形県山形市西田2-1-17)
20 min from Kita-Yamagata
JR Ou Main Line, JR Senzan Line, JR Aterazawa Line
Hours
11:00–14:00 (ends when noodles run out). Closed Mondays and select Tuesdays. Lunch only.
Closed: Monday, Select Tuesdays (announced on X @kenchan_ymgt)
Queue & entry protocol
A regular bowl contains 300g of noodles, roughly double a standard Tokyo serving; choose small (250g, ¥900) if you want a lighter meal. Always press the free 身入 (mi-iri) button on the ticket machine to add simmered backfat chunks. The shop is cash-only and shuts down the moment noodles sell out, often before 14:00.
Ticketing & operational notice: Cult Yamagata handmade thick irregular curly noodle counter with custom backfat (*mi-iri*). Operates strictly offline without social media accounts.
How to OrderNative Japanese audio
This shop likely uses a ticket machine (食券機 / kenbaiki). Buy your ticket before sitting down.
これをください
Kore o kudasai (This one, please)
Allergy card
Select your restrictions. Show the generated card to restaurant staff.
Questions about Kenchan Ramen Yamagata
- What is the nearest station to Kenchan Ramen Yamagata?
- Kita-Yamagata, about a 20-minute walk away. Kita-Yamagata is served by JR Ou Main Line, JR Senzan Line and JR Aterazawa Line.
- What should I order at Kenchan Ramen Yamagata?
- 中華そば 普通・身入 (Chuka Soba Regular with Mi-iri Backfat). The kitchen works in Niboshi Shoyu and Niboshi & Tonkotsu. Noodles: handmade ultra-thick wavy flat noodles (自家製手打ち極太縮れ麺).
- How much does ramen cost at Kenchan Ramen Yamagata?
- A bowl runs ¥1,000–¥1,999. Bring cash: the shop does not take cards. Order from the ticket machine by the door before sitting down.
- When is Kenchan Ramen Yamagata open?
- 11:00–14:00 (ends when noodles run out). Closed Mondays and select Tuesdays. Lunch only. Closed Monday and Select Tuesdays (announced on X @kenchan_ymgt).
- What should I know before visiting Kenchan Ramen Yamagata?
- Expect a queue at peak hours, seating is at the counter and children are welcome.
- Do I line up first or buy a ticket first at Kenchan Ramen Yamagata?
- At Kenchan Ramen Yamagata, purchase your food ticket at the vending machine inside by the entrance, then take your place in the line outside. Staff collect tickets before seating.
- What payment methods does Kenchan Ramen Yamagata accept?
- Cash only. The ticket machine takes ¥1,000 banknotes and coins. Break ¥10,000 bills before arriving.