Menya Arata
Created date: 2026/10/08,
Update date: 2026/10/08
A rising star in Yamagata City’s Akanegaoka neighborhood, Menya Arata is celebrated for its modern dried sardine (niboshi) ramen. Savor aromatic seafood-and-pork shoyu broth paired with wide, undulating hand-crimped flat noodles and flame-torched pork belly chashu.
Traveler's Quick Ramen Guide
Payment
Cash recommended (Ticket Vending Machine)
Order Style
Purchase ticket inside entrance before/at seating
Water & Service
Free self-service (water pitchers on counter)
🔰 4 Simple Steps to Enjoy Ramen in Japan
- 1. Buy Ticket (食券): Choose your bowl & extra toppings at the vending machine.
- 2. Hand Ticket: Sit down and place your ticket on the raised counter for the chef.
- 3. Customization: When asked for preferences, "Futsuu" means normal/standard taste.
- 4. Courtesy: Place your empty bowl on the upper counter and wipe your space with the cloth.
Table of Contents
Restaurant Overview
Features & Philosophy
- Located in the Akanegaoka district of western Yamagata City, Menya Arata has rapidly built a dedicated following as one of the most exciting new champions of artisanal dried sardine ramen.
- Their signature “Niboshi Chukasoba” features an aromatic dark amber broth simmered from whole dried sardines sourced across Japan, deftly harmonized with gentle chicken and pork bone stock. The resulting soup captures intense oceanic aromatics and a sophisticated, pleasant bitter note without harsh fishiness.
- The noodles are in-house crafted extra-wide, hand-crimped flat noodles. The variable thickness from hand-massaging creates a playful flutter on the lips (“piro-piro” slurp) coupled with a firm, chewy center that absorbs the seafood broth delightfully.
- For maximum indulgence, their “Seabura Niboshi Chukasoba” incorporates rich pork backfat, where creamy sweetness beautifully softens the punchy dried sardine profile.
- Garnished with thick flame-seared pork belly chashu with fragrant char marks, classic spiral naruto fishcake, bamboo shoots, nori, and finely diced scallions.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-15-24 Akanegaoka, Yamagata, Yamagata |
| Access | Approx. 6 min drive from JR Yamagata Station West Exit; 4 min walk from Yamako Bus “Akanegaoka” stop |
| Phone Number | 023-646-5530 |
| Business Hours | 11:00 - 14:30 / 17:30 - 20:00 (Closes when broth runs out) |
| Regular Holiday | Mondays (Open on national holidays, closed following Tuesday) |
| Holiday & Closure Info | Check storefront signage & SNS |
| Seating & Facilities | 22 seats (counter, tables, raised tatami seating), non-smoking |
| Smoking Policy | Entirely non-smoking |
| Parking | Available (10 dedicated parking spaces on premises) |
| Official Social Media | Storefront announcements & food media |
| Official Website | None |
| Other Gourmet Sites | Rapidly rising acclaim on Tabelog and regional ramen rankings |
Key Menu Items
| Recommended | Category | Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ | Ramen | Niboshi Chukasoba | 800 JPY |
| ★ | Ramen | Seabura Niboshi Chukasoba (Pork Backfat) | 900 JPY |
| ★ | Ramen | Tokusei Niboshi Chukasoba (Special All Toppings) | 1,050 JPY |
| - | Ramen | Tsukemen (Thick Noodles) | 900 JPY |
| - | Side Dish | Aburi Chashu Rice Bowl / Plain Rice | 350 JPY / 150 JPY |
Story & Background: Why This Shop Stands Out
Heritage & Commitment
- Pure Oceanic Extraction : Capturing the fragrant essence of dried sardines cleanly without bitter muddy residue.
- Playful Flat Hand-Massaged Noodles : The undulating wide flat noodles provide an exhilarating tactile sensation on the lips and tongue.
- Flame-Kissed Pork Belly : Freshly torched thick chashu that infuses an irresistible smoky aroma into the broth.
How to Enjoy
- Inhale the Niboshi Steam First : Appreciate the pure roasted dried fish fragrance before taking a hot sip of the amber broth.
- Slurp the Wide Crimped Noodles : Enjoy the rhythmic sensation as the wide, wavy ribbons carry the seafood broth straight to your palate.
- Drink the Seabura Broth Clean : If ordering with backfat, the sweet melting fat cuts the salinity, allowing you to drink the soup smoothly to the end.
Online Orders & Delivery
Currently, there are no official instant noodle versions available on Amazon or other major e-commerce platforms. Visit the physical shop in Akanegaoka, Yamagata, to savor the extraordinary chew of their hand-massaged flat noodles fresh from the broth.
