Morioka Reimen is a noodle dish from Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture.
This dish has cold soup and chewy noodles. Therefore, it is one of the well-known cold noodle dishes in Japan.
Many yakiniku restaurants serve Morioka Reimen. Additionally, people often eat it at the end of a meal.
Features of Morioka Reimen
The most notable feature of Morioka Reimen is its chewy noodles.
Cooks make the noodles with wheat flour and starch. Because of this, the noodles look slightly transparent and have a firm texture.
Meanwhile, the soup often uses beef bones or chicken bones. The flavor is light and refreshing.
Therefore, the combination of cold soup and noodles is popular, especially during summer.
Difference Between Ramen and Reimen
Ramen and Reimen are both noodle dishes, but they are quite different.
Ramen is usually served with hot soup. The noodles are soft, and the broth is often rich and oily. Common toppings include sliced pork, green onions, and bamboo shoots.
Reimen, on the other hand, is usually served cold. The noodles are firmer and more elastic. The soup is light and refreshing, and toppings often include kimchi, cucumber, boiled egg, and sometimes fruit.
Because of these differences, ramen is popular in colder weather, while Reimen is often eaten during warm seasons.
Toppings
Morioka Reimen usually includes several standard toppings.
Common toppings include:
- boiled egg
- kimchi
- cucumber
- chashu pork
- fruit such as watermelon or apple
Fruit is a distinctive topping compared with other noodle dishes. The sweetness and slight acidity add a refreshing taste.
History of Morioka Reimen
Morioka Reimen spread in Morioka City after World War II.
The dish developed from Korean cold noodles. However, people adapted it to Japanese food culture.
In the 1950s, yakiniku restaurants began serving this dish. As a result, Morioka Reimen gradually became a local specialty of Morioka.
Today, many restaurants across Japan also serve this dish.
The Three Great Noodles of Morioka
Morioka City is known for three famous noodle dishes called the “Three Great Noodles of Morioka.”
- Morioka Reimen
- Wanko Soba
- Morioka Jajamen
These dishes represent the food culture of Morioka. Therefore, many visitors know them as local specialties.
Summary
Morioka Reimen is a noodle dish that represents Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture.
The dish features chewy noodles and cold soup. Therefore, it is especially popular during warm seasons.
Many yakiniku restaurants serve Morioka Reimen. Additionally, it is known as one of the Three Great Noodles of Morioka.