至福のラーメンを求めて　　　気ままなリライト155

ラーメンで街活性化　高崎、フェスで2万食販売 - 日本経済新聞

A bowl of ramen or a plate of chewy noodles has long been a cherished comfort food and an irresistible staple in Japanese culinary culture, especially in the Kanto region with a high density of ramen restaurants. This simple dish has a magnetic allure that goes beyond its savory flavors, drawing gourmet lovers into a deeper quest. The craving for ramen noodles is guiding them on a journey through the hidden gardens of their emotions and the shadowed groves of their psyche, in pursuit of an incandescent love for life, glowing with inner joy and a radiant, cheerful spirit.

Among the Kanto region’s prefectures renowned for their flourishing ramen culture are Tochigi, Gunma, Yamanashi and Ibaraki. Those prefectures are boasting a high number of ramen shops, with more than two per 10,000 residents. The commitment to quality and the artisanal techniques of individual ramen chefs are creating a unique sense of identity and pride in their regional ramen styles. The positive word of mouth and strong reputations of local ramen shops, fueled by gourmet fans and food critics, are enhancing the desire to explore various ramen establishments among both locals and visitors.

In October 2023, Takasaki City in Gunma Prefecture became a destination for ramen enthusiasts, hosting the Ramen Festa to celebrate and promote the culinary heritage of its long-standing local ramen shops. With the backing of municipal leaders and Yamada Holdings, a major consumer electronics retailer headquartered in the city, renowned ramen chefs from across Japan gathered to participate. The event exceeded expectations, with 20,000 bowls of ramen sold, far surpassing the initial goal of 15,000 bowls. This festival offered a vital platform for family-run ramen shops, many of which are facing challenges in finding successors. It enabled ramen lovers to recognize and appreciate the cultural and historical value of those establishments, garnering broader support. The authentic, traditional ramen recipes from nearly ten of those shops are at risk of vanishing, underscoring the importance of the ramen community’s role in preserving this rich culinary tradition.

Tsukuba City in Ibaraki Prefecture is boasting approximately 100 ramen specialty shops and around 200 other eateries that serve ramen, leading to fierce competition among high-quality establishments. Those shops are meticulously focusing on every aspect, from broths simmered for hours to perfectly cooked noodles and carefully prepared toppings, all without relying on monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a flavor enhancer. They are employing innovative cooking techniques and new ingredients to please customers’ palates with crave-worthy, brain-rewarding flavors, especially the umami taste that triggers the release of endorphins, enhancing sensory pleasure.

Recently, a new local ramen specialty has emerged in the city: Tsukuba Fukure Maze Soba, now available at seven restaurants. This dish is featuring the aroma and juice of the "Fukure Mikan," a citrus fruit cultivated at the base of Mount Tsukuba, incorporated into its salted sauce and aromatic oil. The dried peel of the mikan adds a distinctive fragrance as part of a seven-ingredient spice mixture. The soothing and inviting aroma contributes to a comforting dining experience, enhanced by the euphoria-inducing effects of the chewy, high-gluten noodles. By emphasizing its exclusivity to Tsukuba, efforts are being made to increase the number of local eateries serving this unique dish.　

Yamanashi Prefecture, known for its traditional comfort dish Hoto, which features flat, thick noodles cooked in a miso-based broth, has been gaining national attention with a series of new ramen varieties. In autumn 2023, a new ramen developed through the collaboration of three local establishments ranked third in the Japan Local Ramen Contest held in Tokyo. Characterized by its refined broth made from locally sourced chicken and thin noodles, this ramen ignited a deep-seated craving for inner joy, surpassing mere stimulation of the brain's reward pathways to boost serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of well-being and happiness. As a result, sales increased by 1.5 times after the contest. In November 2023, another innovative ramen was introduced, available at three shops in the prefecture. This dish, marketed with an ecologically enhanced image, is featuring water sourced from the foot of Mt. Fuji and a rich broth made from the bones and scraps of locally branded freshwater fish.