When it comes to Morioka, Iwate’s local food, people think of wanko soba, jajamen, and Morioka Reimen—the noodles with that distinctive bouncy chew. A bowl at a restaurant is something special, but even a supermarket pack can taste surprisingly good if you cook it with a little care.

Store-bought Morioka Reimen tastes a little bland if I just follow the package directions, you know?

Even with a store-bought pack, once you get the boil time and the ice-water rinse right, it gets a whole lot better.

In this article, a writer from Morioka walks through how to make supermarket Morioka Reimen taste better, based on cooking it at home.

Tips for Making Store-Bought Morioka Reimen Taste Even Better

• Follow the package boil time. If it gives a range, the shorter end (a little firmer) tastes better
• Right after boiling, chill the noodles in ice water while rubbing off the slipperiness
• Then rinse under cold water and drain them well
• Use 2–4 slices of lean beef, cooked until just done
• Kimchi works, but kakuteki (cubed daikon kimchi) is even better

The Store-Bought Morioka Reimen I Used This Time: Todahisa

This time I used Morioka Reimen (2 servings) from Mendokoro Todahisa (戸田久, also called Toda-kyu), a noodle shop in Morioka, Iwate. It’s a familiar supermarket pack with noodles and soup included. Kimchi sauce and kimchi are not in the bag—you buy those separately. The package lists a standard boil time of 1 minute.

Ingredients for Store-Bought Morioka Reimen at Home

Use the soup that comes in the pack. Because kimchi sauce and kimchi are not included, prepare kakuteki or kimchi separately as a topping. This time I went with kakuteki.

How to Make Store-Bought Morioka Reimen at Home

1. Prepare the toppings first

Cook 2–4 slices of lean beef until just done (too much meat takes over the bowl, so 2–3 slices is the sweet spot). Lean beef with little fat sits better in a cold soup and doesn’t feel heavy.

Slice the cucumber thinly into rounds. Cut about 1/4 to 1/2 of a nashi (Japanese pear) into bite-size pieces (around 1/4 is usually just right). Halve the boiled egg. Adjust all of these to taste.

2. Prepare the soup according to the package instructions

Prepare the soup exactly as written on the store-bought pack. Pour it into a bowl and have it chilling by the time the noodles are done. It tastes better that way.

3. Boil the noodles (a little firmer tastes better)

Boil the noodles for the time on the package. If the package gives a range, the shorter time (a little firmer) is closer to how Morioka Reimen is eaten in Morioka. For example, if it says 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, go with 1 minute.

Use plenty of boiling water, and loosen the noodles as they cook.

4. Finish in ice water and rinse off the slipperiness

As soon as they’re boiled, go straight into ice water. Chill the noodles in the ice water while rubbing off the slipperiness. This is the most important step for store-bought reimen. The noodles are hot right after boiling, so be careful if you handle them with your hands.

Once the slipperiness is gone, rinse under cold water, drain thoroughly, and put them in the bowl. Leftover water will dilute the soup, so drain them carefully.

5. Add the toppings

Pour the soup over the drained noodles, then arrange the beef, boiled egg, cucumber, nashi, and kakuteki on top.

Both kimchi and kakuteki work as a reimen topping. It’s a matter of taste, but kakuteki is the one I’d pick. The spiciness and crunch play well against the chewy noodles.

6. Done

Even with a store-bought pack, if you boil the noodles a little firmer and finish them well in ice water, they keep their chew. Cook the beef until just done too, and eat it with fruit and kakuteki in between bites—you’ll get surprisingly close to restaurant Morioka Reimen, and a bowl made at home is genuinely delicious.

Recommended Morioka Reimen restaurants

Recommended

Morioka Reimen restaurants worth trying

At every shop, the chew of the noodles, the beef-bone soup, and the kimchi sauce balance a little differently. Here’s a Morioka native’s roundup of places that truly taste great.

＼ Eat it where it’s from ／

Morioka Reimen restaurants recommended by locals from Morioka, Iwate

Handmade noodles and beef-bone soup—a bowl you simply can’t get from a store-bought pack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary: How to Make Store-Bought Morioka Reimen Taste Even Better

With store-bought Morioka Reimen, just getting the boil time and the ice-water finish right is enough to keep that distinctive chew in the noodles. Prepare the soup according to the package instructions, and for toppings, lean beef cooked until just done and kakuteki make the difference.

Give it a try at home—it’s an easy way to recreate the taste of Morioka Reimen. On a hot summer day, a well-chilled bowl of reimen really is something special.

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.

Recommended

Recommended Hotels for Morioka Sightseeing

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.

＼ Enjoy Morioka to the Fullest ／

Introducing Recommended Hotels for Sightseeing and Business Trips in Morioka, Iwate

Choosing the right hotel is essential for sightseeing in Morioka

This website is operated by "Don Don Travel Guide"

Author: Boon

Our mission is to share valuable information with the world through informative and engaging travel media.

Learn more about Don Don Travel Guide.

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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.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

Recommended

Exquisite Morioka Reimen at Yakiniku & Reimen Yamato

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.

＼ Morioka Reimen Enjoyed Everyday ／

Click here for the article: Highly Popular Among Locals! Exquisite Morioka Reimen at Yakiniku & Reimen Yamato

A menu where “Morioka Reimen” serves as a complete meal on its own

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recommended

Recommended Hotels for Morioka Sightseeing

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.

＼ Enjoy Morioka to the Fullest ／

Introducing Recommended Hotels for Sightseeing and Business Trips in Morioka, Iwate

Choosing the right hotel is essential for sightseeing in Morioka

This website is operated by "Don Don Travel Guide"

Author: Boon

Our mission is to share valuable information with the world through informative and engaging travel media.

Learn more about Don Don Travel Guide.

Best Japan Tours

PR

Klook.com

PR

One of Morioka’s local specialties, “Morioka Reimen,” has many famous and popular restaurants where you can enjoy unique flavors no matter which shop you visit. Among them, one recommended choice is “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato,” a shop loved by locals where you can casually enjoy an authentic taste.

For Morioka residents, “Morioka Reimen” is not just a side dish to yakiniku, but a dish that stands on its own as a full meal—and a point of pride for the people of Morioka. It is a taste of Morioka that we definitely want tourists visiting the city to try—that is “Morioka Reimen.”

Craving Morioka reimen in Iwate—any local favorite that locals trust and won’t let you down?

Yakiniku and Reimen Yamato is loved year-round by locals. We’ve pulled together what makes their noodles stand out.

In this article, based on photos from the author’s own visit, we introduce what makes “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” special—one of the recommended Morioka Reimen restaurants.

Highlights of “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato”

Exquisite Morioka Reimen with Firm Noodles and Flavorful Soup

The reimen at “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” uses noodles known for their uniquely strong firmness and smooth, easy-to-swallow feel. The soup is made by slowly simmering a stock based on beef bones and other ingredients, achieving a rich flavor and umami while keeping a clean finish. It is easy to eat even for first-timers and offers a taste that regulars never tire of.

You can choose from multiple levels of spiciness, such as “Extra Spicy,” “Very Spicy,” and “Medium Spicy.” You can also order “Spiciness Separate” to adjust the heat yourself. For first-timers, we recommend “Medium Spicy”—a well-balanced level where you can feel both the kick of heat and the pleasant umami of the soup.

Yakiniku is Also Delicious and Affordable

Although many people come to “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” just for Morioka Reimen, it is also a yakiniku restaurant, so you can enjoy delicious yakiniku as well. Thanks to local price levels in Morioka, prices are relatively reasonable, so you can enjoy high-quality meat at affordable prices.

Spacious Interior and Service Robots

“Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” is a chain, and because many of its locations are in the suburbs of the regional city of Morioka, the shops are large and designed with spacious interiors. The table seats let you relax and give you plenty of room, so it is comfortably spacious even for groups of 3 to 4.

Food is mainly delivered by robots, and seeing “Yama-nyan” bring meat at the Morioka Minami Branch feels heartwarming.

Extensive Lunch Sets and Menu Options

“Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” offers a rich selection of set menus, so you can enjoy great-value sets, especially at lunchtime. From yakiniku sets to generous combinations like Morioka Reimen + Bibimbap, many locals come for lunch, giving the impression that locals use it even more than tourists do.

Points to Note About “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato”

Located in the Suburbs—Somewhat Far from Morioka Station

Although “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” is a chain, its locations are mainly in the Morioka suburbs, so walking from the station is tough distance-wise. You need a car to get there, so tourists arriving in Morioka by Shinkansen will need to take a taxi or rent a car.

Please refrain from drinking alcohol if you are driving yourself. Because it is in the suburbs, the parking lot is spacious enough, so that is not a problem.

Expect Crowds During the Reimen Festival

“Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” frequently runs events called the “Reimen Festival.” During this period, noodle portions are increased or reimen is offered at a discounted price (around a single coin). Thanks to this great value, it is an event welcomed by Morioka residents, but shops get crowded during this period, so making a reservation is recommended.

Location and Access for “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato (Morioka Minami Branch)”

Location

“Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato Morioka Minami Branch” is conveniently accessible by car and has a large parking lot. By train, it is about a 20- to 27-minute walk from JR Iwate-Iioka Station—still far—so getting there by car is recommended.

Basic Information on “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato (Morioka Minami Branch)”

Summary: [Iwate / Morioka] Morioka Reimen at Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato

If you want to casually enjoy Morioka Reimen, a local specialty of Morioka, “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” is recommended. Though it is a yakiniku restaurant, the quality of its reimen is high, so it is worth visiting specifically for reimen alone as a meal.

When visiting Morioka, please consider the reimen at “Yakiniku / Reimen Yamato” as one option for your meal.

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.

Recommended

Recommended Hotels for Morioka Sightseeing

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.

＼ Enjoy Morioka to the Fullest ／

Introducing Recommended Hotels for Sightseeing and Business Trips in Morioka, Iwate

Choosing the right hotel is essential for sightseeing in Morioka

This website is operated by "Don Don Travel Guide"

Author: Boon

Our mission is to share valuable information with the world through informative and engaging travel media.

Learn more about Don Don Travel Guide.

Best Japan Tours

PR

Klook.com

PR