5 Must-Try Hidden Gem Ramen Shops in Wakkanai, Hokkaido

Wakkanai City in Hokkaido is known for being home to Cape Soya, the northernmost point in Japan that travelers can visit. Countless people travel to Wakkanai in search of this farthest point of Japan. In this article, we introduce some popular ramen shops in Wakkanai that are sure to satisfy the hunger of those travelers.
When it comes to Hokkaido ramen, most people think of the "Big Three": miso ramen in Sapporo, soy sauce ramen in Asahikawa, and salt ramen in Hakodate. However, Hokkaido is vast, and many cities and towns have their own delicious, unique ramen styles. Wakkanai is no exception, with distinctive and appealing ramen shops worth exploring.

1. Ramen Aoi Tori

Wakkanai-style ramen is known for its clear broth made from Rishiri kelp and pork bones, curly noodles, and pork loin chashu. When talking about Wakkanai ramen, one shop you can’t ignore is Ramen Aoi Tori.
Founded in 1951, the current proprietress is the third generation to run the shop. Impressively, it was even featured in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido 2012! Its crystal-clear taste, unchanged since its founding, has long captivated both locals and visiting tourists.
The shop’s most popular item is the salt ramen—a simple yet profoundly flavorful bowl that epitomizes Wakkanai ramen. Located just a 5-minute walk from JR Wakkanai Station, the northernmost station in Japan, this restaurant is perfect for your first or last ramen bowl during your Wakkanai trip.

2. Ramen Takaraya

Another essential stop in Wakkanai’s ramen scene is Ramen Takaraya. Located just steps from JR Wakkanai Station, it's popular among tourists. The menu, however, features only salt and soy sauce ramen—a sign of the chef's confidence in these two perfected dishes. In fact, this shop also earned a place in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido 2012.
The salt ramen features a clear broth, medium-thick curly noodles, and a unique topping: fu (wheat gluten cake). The fu soaks up the broth rich with umami, creating an irresistible taste experience.
Takaraya’s soy sauce ramen is equally outstanding. While its dark, rich-colored broth appears strong, it’s actually surprisingly light and easy to eat. With its gentle, never-tiring flavor, we highly recommend trying both the white (salt) and black (soy sauce) varieties during your stay in Wakkanai.

3. Haruki Chaya

"Haruki Chaya" is located near Minami-Wakkanai Station. At night, it operates as an izakaya-style restaurant centered on seafood dishes, while during lunchtime, it offers noodles and set meals. Of course, you can enjoy Wakkanai ramen here, but their specialty is the "Shijimi Ramen." The first thing to catch your eye is the abundance of shijimi clams floating in the soup! It’s an extravagant bowl packed with large shijimi clams.
And it’s not just about the appearance—the flavor is excellent too. The salt-based soup, made from chicken stock, is blended with shijimi extract, creating a rich and mellow taste that spreads in your mouth. The shijimi clams are sourced from neighboring Sarufutsu Village. The ramen is filled with the umami of large shijimi clams—so much so that it would be a shame not to drink every last drop of the soup.

4. Mamiyado

If you're looking to eat ramen while visiting Wakkanai's top tourist spot, Cape Soya, then Mamiyado, located right next to the cape's lighthouse, is the place to go. It's a noodle shop famous for its scallop ramen and is even introduced via bus audio guides.
Their scallop ramen comes in both salt and soy sauce variations, both featuring a gentle flavor. Naturally, the scallops are locally sourced, and you can enjoy their flavor not only through taste but also through aroma. Eating in Japan’s northernmost tourist spot adds an emotional spice that makes the ramen even more delicious.
Aside from ramen, their scallop curry is also popular. It’s recommended not only for touring bikers but also for family or group travelers. However, please note that they are closed for the winter season from mid-November to mid-April, so plan your visit accordingly.

5. Daiou Honten

Lastly, let’s introduce a shop known for Wakkanai’s soul food—"Chāmen". Chāmen is made by boiling Chinese noodles, pan-frying them, and topping them with a thick sauce containing vegetables and seafood. Some places fry the noodles until crispy. While it may seem similar to ankake yakisoba (stir-fried noodles with thick sauce), in Wakkanai, many shops make a clear distinction between the two and sell them separately.
The shop we’re featuring here, "Daiou Honten," is particularly well-regarded among the many restaurants serving chāmen in Wakkanai. Although it's a ramen shop, the majority of customers actually order chāmen, which speaks volumes about its popularity. You can choose between salt or soy sauce flavor. The dish feels like it carries on the DNA of Wakkanai ramen.
The portions are generous by default, but Daiou Honten makes their chāmen more manageable for women and older customers. Compared to other places, the taste here is also a bit on the sweeter side, which adds to its appeal.

◎ Summary

We’ve introduced five ramen shops loved by locals and tourists alike in Wakkanai. Wakkanai ramen offers a different kind of charm from the famous "Three Great Ramen of Hokkaido."
Some might wonder, “Ramen in Wakkanai?”—but there are unique flavors you can only experience here. Be sure to try the clear ramen made with Rishiri kelp, a true local delicacy.