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When it comes to Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, while it is a land of unique gourmet food such as wanko soba and jaja-men, one of the gourmet items that especially represents Morioka—and even carries the place name—is “Morioka Reimen.”
The cold noodles made in Morioka—unique chewy noodles with elasticity that go down smoothly, eaten with a spicy soup packed with beef umami—are “Morioka Reimen.” It is a gourmet dish whose unique taste you won’t forget once you eat it, and the harmony of spiciness and umami comes through relentlessly!
I suddenly want Morioka Reimen—but where are the recommended reimen shops in Morioka?
Morioka Reimen is delicious, isn’t it? I’ll introduce shops that locals also call delicious!
In this article, the author—who is from Morioka—carefully selects and introduces recommended Morioka Reimen you can eat in Morioka.
There are many shops in Morioka that serve Morioka Reimen. Every shop is wonderful, and there are superb shops even among those not introduced in this article.
List of Recommended Morioka Reimen Shops
There are numerous Morioka Reimen shops in Morioka, but every shop is unique and truly delicious! For those who say, “Since I’m going all the way, I want to find a bowl that fits my preference perfectly,” we introduce and compare shops recommended by locals on several points.
| Restaurant Name | Features / Type | Why People Love It |
| Pyonpyon-sha | 【Refined】 No.1 Brand Awareness | Great for beginners! A beautifully refined bowl that appeals to everyone |
|---|---|---|
| Seiroukaku | 【Classic】 Top Quality in Front of the Station | Sweet and delicious Reimen (cold noodles), wildly popular with tourists, featuring a rich and savory beef bone broth |
| Yakiniku & Reimen Yamato | 【Soul Food】 Unbeatable Value | Famous for its “Reimen Festival”! A taste woven into the daily lives of local residents |
| Shokudoen | 【Original】 Taste the History | Where all Morioka Reimen began! A soup with a unique richness and sweetness |
| Daidoen | 【Supreme】 Elegant & Historic | A prestigious spot for special occasions. Crystal-clear soup and high-quality Yakiniku |
Pyonpyonsha! If it’s your first Morioka Reimen, go here! Best for a balanced preference
To those who say, “I know the name Morioka Reimen, but I don’t know where to eat,” the first shop recommended is Pyonpyonsha. Boasting nationwide name recognition, it is a famous shop covered in many media—a “can’t-go-wrong shop that pleases anyone you bring.”
The balance of elasticity, umami, and spiciness is the “golden ratio”
The greatest feature of Pyonpyonsha’s reimen lies in its well-balanced “ease of eating.” It is a shop especially recommended for those eating Morioka Reimen for the first time.
- Noodles: A smooth, sleek surface, with a pleasant firmness that pushes back when you bite.
- Soup: Homemade soup based on domestic beef bones. A clean umami and richness spread without feeling heavy.
- Kimchi: Exquisite acidity and spiciness that further highlight the soup’s umami.
Also, seasonal fruit (such as watermelon or pear) is arranged beautifully in the bowl, and the visual appeal is top-notch.
Location and Access of Pyonpyonsha
Pyonpyonsha operates a chain and has several branches, but the easiest one for tourists to visit is the Morioka Ekimae Branch.
Location
Pyonpyonsha Morioka Ekimae Branch is located about a 3-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Morioka Station. Located right in front after you cross the intersection just outside the station plaza, it is a large shop. There are customers waiting at almost all dates and times, so it is easy to find if you look for a place where people gather in front of the shop.
The Morioka Ekimae Branch is extremely crowded, and waiting for about 1 hour is common. “A light meal while waiting for the Shinkansen…” is tough, so go with plenty of time to spare.
The pinnacle of rich beef bone soup and extra-thick noodles; sweet even for cold noodles, “Seirokaku”
Seirokaku has a shop in a prime location directly opposite Morioka Station. When you ask local residents, “Where is the most delicious reimen in Morioka?”, one that definitely comes up as a candidate is this Seirokaku.
Served in a calm interior with a luxury feel, the reimen is a supreme bowl where you can taste “sweetness” despite the extra-thick noodles, and “elegant and delicious” comes before “spicy,” offering an unforgettable umami once you eat it here.
“Rich soup” and “extra-thick noodles” that remain in your heart no matter what
A soup with beef umami and mellow sweetness, with spiciness ranging from “Spiciness Separate, Regular, Spicy”—its focus on heat is not strong, so it is a reimen tasted mainly for sweetness and umami. In the soup, where beef bone umami comes out well, you feel beauty in the harmony of homemade firm noodles and kimchi.
Location and Access of Seirokaku
Seirokaku is located in front of Morioka Station, in a building right in front after you cross the road.
Location
Seirokaku is a super popular shop, to the point that customers are waiting no matter when you go. Depending on the time of day, waiting for about 1 hour is common. “A light meal while waiting for the Shinkansen…” is tough, so go with plenty of time to spare.
Loved by Morioka citizens as an everyday meal, “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato”
It is a region-limited yakiniku chain expanding branches mainly in Iwate Prefecture. Within Morioka City, there are branches such as “Morioka Motomiya Branch,” “Morioka Mitake Branch,” and “Morioka Minami Branch,” loved by locals as an everyday dining place.
Umami of the soup, elasticity of the noodles, a reasonable price, and outstanding cost performance
The Morioka Reimen at Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato is finished so it is extremely easy to eat as an everyday meal, and its feature is that it is delicious despite that.
- Soup: Special soup with richness and umami, made by simmering beef bones and chicken carcasses for long hours.
- Noodles: Characterized by a smooth feel as they go down, with a sleek surface and strong firmness.
- Ingredients: Meat, boiled egg, cucumber, and fruits that change depending on the season are arranged.
Location and Access of Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato (Morioka Minami Branch)
Seirokaku is located in front of Morioka Station, in a building right in front after you cross the road.
Location
“Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato Morioka Minami Branch” is in a location with convenient access by car and fully equipped with a large parking lot. By train, it is about a 20 to 27-minute walk from JR Iwate-Iioka Station—but that is far, so getting there by car is recommended.
One of Morioka’s famous local specialties, “Morioka Reimen,” features many well-known and popular spots where you can enjoy unique flavors wherever you go. One of the top recommendations is “Yakiniku & Reimen Yamato,” a restaurant beloved by locals where you can casually enjoy authentic flavors.
There is a “Reimen Festival” held regularly at each store. During the period, reimen normally priced at 880 JPY (tax included) is offered at a discounted price (for example, depending on the hosting period and store, around 450 to 470 JPY), which is very economical.
The origin shop of Morioka Reimen, “Shokudoin”
Located in Odori, Morioka City, it is a shop founded in 1954 (Showa 29). It is known as “The Origin Shop of Morioka Reimen.”
Truly the original! An artisan’s bowl weaving the tradition of Morioka Reimen
The Morioka Reimen at Shokudoin is a Morioka Reimen with a consistent backbone that protects the original taste, without concerns such as “making it easy to eat for trend-followers or tourists.” Although the bar is somewhat high for your first Morioka Reimen, if you want to know Morioka Reimen deeply and pursue true deliciousness, this is one shop you should definitely go eat at.
- Soup: Soup made based on beef bones, beef, and chicken carcasses.
- Noodles: Homemade noodles made from dough combining wheat flour and starch. They have a slightly flat-cut shape.
- Kimchi: Radish kakkutegi (kimchi) is used.
Location and Access of Shokudoin
Location
Shokudoin is located at 1-8-2 Odori, Morioka City. When using public transportation, it is about a 15-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Morioka Station. Also, when using route buses such as Iwate Kenkotsu from Morioka Station, get off at the “Chuo-dori Ichichome” or “Eigakan-dori” bus stops; it is about a 2 to 3-minute walk from there.
A famous shop to go on special days. Clear soup and high-quality yakiniku, “Daidoen”
A specialty shop for yakiniku and reimen. Within Morioka City, besides the “Morioka Odori Branch,” it operates the “Morioka Fesan Branch” inside Morioka Station Fesan. It is a long-established shop boasting a 60-year history since founding. There is a “Premium Course” ideal for business entertainment or special days.
Stable deliciousness from noodles with transparency and firmness, and a clear, delicious soup
A Morioka Reimen where kimchi and refreshing soup mix exquisitely, letting you feel a refreshing aftertaste.
- Soup: Clear soup prepared over time, based on Japanese Wagyu meat and bones from the pre-cutting stage.
- Noodles: Homemade noodles kneaded after receiving an order.
Location and Access of Daidoen (Morioka Main Branch)
Location
When using public transportation, it is about a 12-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Morioka Station. Also, when using route buses such as Iwate Kenkotsu from Morioka Station, get off at the “Eigakan-dori” bus stop; it is about a 1 to 2-minute walk from there.
Tips to Eat Morioka Reimen Deliciously
Order yakiniku together and eat heartily (Morioka Reimen as the staple food)
Many shops serving Morioka Reimen operate as yakiniku restaurants. First, lightly eat about 1 to 2 servings of yakiniku such as beef tongue or karubi, then order and eat reimen as the staple food—that lets you enjoy Morioka Reimen even more. By eating cold, refreshing reimen after tasting the fat of yakiniku, you can heighten satisfaction with the meal.
Of course, eating only Morioka Reimen is no problem at all, and quite a few people eat only Morioka Reimen.
Kimchi and fruit toppings are a palate cleanser for spiciness
As toppings for Morioka Reimen, radish kimchi and seasonal fruits such as watermelon, pear, or apple are served (*Shokudoin does not contain fruit). Kimchi and fruit also serve as a “palate cleanser (mouth refresher)” to take a break from the spiciness of Morioka Reimen, so the repetition—spicy, refreshing with kimchi or fruit, spicy again, refreshing with kimchi or fruit—also becomes addictive.
Scooping soup with a spoon and sipping it is the tip for umami
Reimen soup is based on broth such as beef bones, beef, and chicken carcasses, and is served chilled cold. Rather than drinking directly from the bowl, by scooping with the attached spoon (or renge) and drinking little by little, the beef umami and sweetness dissolved in the clear soup become easier to spread in your mouth.
Summary: Really Delicious Morioka Reimen Restaurants
Morioka Reimen is a delicious dish where soup concentrated with beef umami, unique chewy noodles with strong firmness, and the spiciness of kakkutegi come together in harmony. It is one of the gourmet items you definitely want to eat when going to Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture—possessing an irresistible charm once eaten.
| Restaurant Name | Features / Type | Why People Love It |
| Pyonpyon-sha | 【Refined】 No.1 Brand Awareness | Great for beginners! A beautifully refined bowl that appeals to everyone |
|---|---|---|
| Seiroukaku | 【Classic】 Top Quality in Front of the Station | Sweet and delicious Reimen (cold noodles), wildly popular with tourists, featuring a rich and savory beef bone broth |
| Yakiniku & Reimen Yamato | 【Soul Food】 Unbeatable Value | Famous for its “Reimen Festival”! A taste woven into the daily lives of local residents |
| Shokudoen | 【Original】 Taste the History | Where all Morioka Reimen began! A soup with a unique richness and sweetness |
| Daidoen | 【Supreme】 Elegant & Historic | A prestigious spot for special occasions. Crystal-clear soup and high-quality Yakiniku |
Recommended Hotels for Sightseeing and Business Trips in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Because Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, is a castle town and an ancient city, Morioka Station, where the Shinkansen stops, and Morioka's downtown area (entertainment and commercial district) are slightly separated. Compared to prefectural capitals in other prefectures (regional areas), Morioka is a city where shops still relatively remain in the center of town (such as the Odori arcade street). Furthermore, as a city of water and greenery with three rivers flowing through it, hotels suitable for sightseeing and business trips are scattered throughout the area.
Among them, the hotel areas in Morioka City are roughly divided into three main zones. The recommended areas vary depending on your priorities—such as location, city sightseeing, gourmet dining, or proximity to downtown/entertainment districts—so choosing a hotel that fits your purpose is recommended.
If you are looking for a hotel in Morioka City, please be sure to check out the following article.
The ancient capital of Morioka, a former castle town, retains the charm of good old Japan. To fully enjoy and sightsee Morioka, choose a high-quality hotel in a recommended area.
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