6 Recommended "Taiwan ramen" restaurants, Nagoya's local gourmet

"Taiwan ramen" is a local delicacy of Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.​

Taiwan ramen is a noodle dish in which ground pork, Chinese chives, bean sprouts, and other ingredients are seasoned with hot peppers, fried, and served in a soy sauce-based soup. It also features plenty of garlic.

Although it is called "Taiwan ramen," it does not originate in "Taiwan" but in "Nagoya". It is said to have originated as a makanai (meals for employees) at Misen, a Chinese-Taiwanese restaurant with its main branch in Chikusa-ku, Nagoya City.

This time, we will pick up and introduce recommended restaurants where you can enjoy Taiwan ramen in Nagoya city.

6 Recommended restaurants for Taiwan ramen in Nagoya
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Misen, the originator of Taiwan ramen

The originator of Taiwan ramen. A Chinese restaurant that has been loved by Nagoya people since its establishment in 1960. They have eight restaurants in Nagoya City.

The five founder brothers run each restaurant separately, so each restaurant has its own unique characteristics. Taiwan ramen on the signboard menu also has a slightly different taste, so be sure to eat and compare!

Taiwan ramen ¥750

First of all, from the famous "Taiwan ramen". Although it is called “Taiwan ramen,” it is actually a Nagoya-original ramen that does not exist in Taiwan.

The umami of minced meat spreads in the chicken stock with plenty of chili peppers and garlic. Nagoya's soul food that you can't help but eat even though it's spicy. Adding a raw egg makes it a little milder.

Taiwan bowl ￥850

If you want to eat a hearty bowl of rice, try the "Taiwan Bowl". It is the same "Taiwan" dish, but has a slightly different flavor from the ramen. The combination of raw egg and minced meat makes it sweet and spicy. Even those who do not like spicy food can enjoy it.

Excellent with alcohol drinks! Stir-fried green vegetable with plenty of garlic. It is such a hidden specialty that there is even a "Misen Stir-Fried  Green Vegetable Stock" on the market. It is also recommended to share with several people!

[Misen JR Nagoya Station]
Address: JR Nagoya Station, 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Business hours: 11:00-23:00 (LO 22:00)
No regular holiday

http://www.misen.ne.jp/

"Taiwan ramen Koyo" that appeared in a popular drama

"Taiwan ramen Koyo" is located in Hira, Nishi-ku, Nagoya. It is a popular restaurant that is loved by the locals and has appeared in the Nagoya business trip edition of the famous TV drama "Kodoku no Gourmet".

This is a Chinese restaurant where you can enjoy a wide variety of a la carte dishes, including the signature Taiwan ramen.

We recommend the "Goro-san Set (¥2,035)" where you can enjoy the menu that the main character, Goro-san, ate in the drama. It's very filling, so it's just right for two people to share.

There are five levels of Taiwan ramen from American to super spicy.

This time, we had the normal version, which is made from 40% chicken bone broth and 60% pork bone broth, and it has a nice spiciness. The flavor of soy sauce can also be felt. The slightly hard noodles and the minced meat stir-fried slowly are a perfect match!

Although it is not a set menu, there was also "Salt Taiwan ramen".

And what you can't miss at Koyo is the "Vinegar Chicken (half size set)". The sweet and sour sauce and plenty of green onions go well with beer! !

Fried rice with garlic is filled with roughly chopped garlic. It is a hearty dish, but you can't help but eat it up as you go. No wonder there are so many repeat customers. (For those who don't like spicy food, a garlic fried rice set is also available.)

[Taiwan ramen Koyo]
Address: 3-139 Hira, Nishi Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Business hours: 17:00-24:30 (LO 24:00)
Regular holiday: Tuesday

Ramen Okada, a rich soup made with red miso

Ramen Okada is located in Kita-ku, Nagoya City. They have two restaurants, in Sugisakae and in Ozone. It is a Ramen place where you can enjoy a rare miso-flavored Taiwan ramen.

There are three types of Taiwan ramen: salt, soy sauce, and okada (miso base).

Okada's Taiwan ramen ¥770

This time, we tried Okada flaor.

The red miso-based soup is spicy, and you can fully enjoy the flavor and mellowness of the miso. Plenty of minced meat, chili peppers, chives and garlic are topped. Adding sliced garlic to the soup gives it a punch! !

It is different from the Taiwan ramen we usually eat, but somehow it has a calming and gentle taste. Miso base is good for the cold season.

Karaage Deep-fried chicken (large) ¥990

And what you can't miss at "Ramen Okada" is the karaage fried chicken!

The karaage (large) has 12 hearty fried chicken. The batter is crunchy, and it's simple with salt and pepper. The taste that both adults and children love. If you have leftovers, you can take them home with a box for an extra charge.

Tenshin rice ￥770

Speaking of ramen accompaniment, it is fried rice, but here, "Tenshin rice" is also excellent.

White rice with chunky grilled pork is wrapped in a fluffy egg and topped with plenty of thick sauce. The soy sauce-based thick sauce has a sweet and sour taste that is addictive. It makes the spicy taste of Taiwan ramen mild.

[Ramen Okada]
◯ Sugiei
Address: 5-115 Sugieicho, Kita Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Business hours: 17:30-3:00 (LO 2:15)
Regular holiday: Tuesday

◯ Ozone store
Address: 3-70 Yamadacho, Kita Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Business hours: 17:00-3:00 the next day (LO 2:15 the next day)
Regular holiday: Wednesday

The key is the savory minced meat! Taiwan ramen Koryu

Founded in 1988, "Koryu" is located in Kita Ward, Nagoya City. It is a popular store quietly nestled in a residential area. The homely atmosphere is also attractive.

Taiwan ramen ¥740

When it comes to Taiwan ramen, the spiciness usually comes with a kick, but Koryu's Taiwan ramen comes first with the umami of the soup.

The secret is the savory minced meat. They do not pursue spiciness, but rather emphasize the overall balance of the dish. It goes well with the slightly sweet and slippery noodles.

Garlic fried rice ￥700

Koryu's popular menu is "garlic fried rice". It looks simple, but the crispy rice and plenty of garlic make for great stamina. You can also adjust the spiciness to your liking.

Spicy Shrimp with Mayonnaise ￥1,050

Sweet and sour pork ￥920

Koryu also offers a wide variety of a la carte dishes. Drinks are also discounted on weekdays, so please take your time and enjoy your meal.

[Taiwan ramen Koryu]
Address: 4-15-1 Onocho, Kita Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Business hours: Weekdays 18:00-1:00, Sundays and holidays 18:00-00:00
Regular holiday: Every Monday

http://www.t-kouryu.com/

The Bold Slices of Pork are Irresistibly Delicious! Taiwanese Ramen Eraku

"Taiwan Ramen Eraku" is located in Moriyama Ward, Nagoya City. A long-established Taiwanese ramen shop that has been in business for over 25 years.

The most popular menu item at Eraku is the "Thick Meat Taiwan ramen" topped with extra-thick slices of pork. The tender soup, which contains the flavor of vegetables, goes perfectly with the chewy texture of the noodles! The crunchy bean sprouts, chives, and spicy minced meat are quickly stir-fried to accentuate the flavor.

The garlic is used to give the soup a punch.

The extra-large piece of chashu pork is surprisingly tender and can be loosened with chopsticks. We were worried that we wouldn't be able to eat this much, but it was a piece of cake.

You can add toppings to any ramen for +450.

"Taiwan Mazesoba" is a limited-time menu that has become a regular menu item. Mix the raw egg and ingredients well. The noodles are medium thick and curly, so you can eat them smoothly.

[Taiwan ramen Eraku Moriyama Main Store]
Address: 7-10 Ohtai, Moriyama Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Regular holiday: Wednesday

https://www.instagram.com/taiwaneraku/

"Jinsei Gyoza" where you can taste Taiwan ramen without soup "Sara Taiwan"

Finally, as an extra edition, we will introduce “Sara Taiwan” Taiwan ramen without soup.

Sara Taiwan can be enjoyed at the Chinese restaurant “Hachiken Rock Jinsei Gyoza” in Yatsugi-cho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya. It is a popular store where you will have to wait in line.

This is the famous “Sara Taiwan”. You can choose the amount of spiciness and garlic. This time we ordered both "normal".

Stir-fried bean sprouts, chives, and minced meat are so thickly covered that the noodles are hidden from view. There are also plenty of sliced chili peppers! The medium-thick noodles with firm texture are served. The spiciness and the punch of garlic add to the addictive flavor.

There are chili peppers on the table and the spiciness can be adjusted, so if you are worried about spiciness, you can choose "low" or "medium spiciness".

A generous piece of chashu pork can be added as a topping for 180 yen. The pork is so tender that it will fall apart with chopsticks.

We also ordered "fried rice" and "dumplings." Both are simple, but they are the best match for the spicy Sara Taiwan!

The best of all is the "Chicken Tempura," which is available only on Saturdays and Sundays. Tender, aromatic chicken meat is wrapped in a crunchy batter. It is one of the best chicken tempura we have ever eaten. If you visit on the weekend, be sure to try it!

[Hachiken ROCK Jinsei Gyoza]
Address: 3-61 Hachiken-cho, Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Regular holiday: Monday

https://tabelog.com/aichi/A2301/A230112/23002622/

This time, we introduced Nagoya's specialty gourmet "Taiwan ramen". Please find your favorite restaurant!