This time, I visited the popular ramen shop “Menya Imajin Leap” in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture!

The shop is known for its seafood-based miso ramen using saury flakes, and on holidays, it can even have lines of customers.

In this article, I will introduce everything from the menu of “Menya Imajin Leap” to a full tasting review.
If you are looking for delicious ramen in Tendo or are curious about Imajin Leap’s menu, please use this as a reference for choosing a restaurant.

What kind of shop is Menya Imajin Leap?

“Menya imajin Leap” is a ramen shop located in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture.
It’s popular mainly with locals, and in 2021, they also opened a sister store in Shimakita, Yamagata City.

Their signature dish is miso ramen with a seafood broth made from saury flakes.
If you’re looking for a ramen shop around Tendo, this is definitely one you should know about.

Popular Restaurant with Wait Times on Holidays

Imajin Leap is a popular restaurant featured on the Yamagata Ramen Map, and especially on weekends, you can see visitors coming from far away. As a result, there can be waiting times on holidays and during lunch hours. It is recommended to visit on days when you have plenty of time or slightly outside peak hours.

Specialty Ramen Using Pacific Saury Flakes is Popular!

The ramen at Imajin Leap features a soup made with Pacific saury flakes. It has a rich umami from seafood, perfectly complementing the miso. During the summer, they also offer chilled meat Chinese noodles with chicken broth, allowing you to enjoy seasonal variations.

Introducing the Menu of Menya Imajin Leap!

At Imanito Leap, there is a lineup that makes it hard to choose, ranging from the popular miso ramen to a few unique side dishes. Everything is so appealing that every visit leaves you wondering, “What should I try next?”

The popular choice is the rich miso ramen! There’s also a ladies’ size, which is perfect for Light eater

The most popular dish is the ‘Rich Miso Ramen.’ The combination of a flavorful soup and thick, curly noodles is a taste loved by the people of Yamagata Prefecture. There is also a ladies’ size with half the amount of noodles and extra toppings, making it a great option for women or those with smaller appetites.

For those who want a hearty meal, the ‘Suishoyama Ramen’ is highly recommended, piled high with bean sprouts and topped with chashu, a boiled egg, and green onions, offering a substantial portion. It is said that the name is inspired by ‘Suishoyama,’ a symbol of Tendo City cherished by the locals.
In addition, we offer dishes you can only enjoy here, such as Chinese-style noodles, salt ramen, and grilled miso tsukemen.

Our side menu is also impressive! Even unique options!

The side menu includes not only rice and gyoza, but also a few unusual items like cheese balls and fried horse mackerel. It’s also a nice touch that there’s a kids’ menu with toys.

Soft drinks are reasonably priced, and the coffee jelly dessert is also available for takeout. It’s a ramen shop that’s easy to visit with the whole family.

We actually went to Menya Imajin Leap! A Visit Report

This time, I visited Menya Imajin Leap during a weekend lunchtime. On this day, there was already a line outside the shop, so it’s important to note that there may be long waiting times on weekends.

The red sign in the Oban parking lot is a landmark

The store is located in the parking lot of “Oban Minami Tendo Shop,” and the red sign is a landmark. Since the parking lot is shared with Oban and Tsuruha Drug, there is plenty of space, which is reassuring.

During busy times, check in using the touch panel inside the store

During busy hours, you need to check in at the in-store touch panel before lining up outside. When I visited, there were about 10 groups waiting, and the wait time was approximately an hour. It’s also convenient that you can check your turn on your smartphone and wait in your car.

Traditional tatami seating! There are also counter seats that are great for solo diners

The interior has high ceilings and a spacious, open feel. The main seating consists of larger tatami-mat areas, allowing families to dine comfortably. The counter seats have dividers, making it easy for solo diners to feel at ease.

Time to Eat! I Tried the Popular Dishes at Imajin Leap!

After waiting for about an hour, it’s finally time to dig in! This time, we focused on the classic menu items of Menya Imajin Leap.

Popular Menu! The Classic Rich Miso Ramen

I ordered the most popular rich miso ramen.

The soup has a strong flavor of saury flakes, and while it’s rich, the aftertaste isn’t too heavy. It pairs well with the thick curly noodles, and I felt that “this is a flavor that people in Yamagata Prefecture would love.”

It’s also appealing that you can customize it to your liking with additions like spicy miso or a boiled egg. This time, I topped it with bamboo shoots and spicy miso; dissolving the spicy miso added a nice contrast, allowing me to enjoy a change in flavor as I ate!

A hearty bowl of chashu rice!

The side menu’s chashu rice bowl is a satisfying dish topped with chopped chashu, menma, and naruto. The chashu is exceptional, so delicious that you can’t stop after just one bite. It’s a dish you definitely want to enjoy with ramen.

The crispy fried gyoza is also recommended!

Imajin Leap’s gyoza are unique fried dumplings. The crispy texture and the sweet and savory special sauce make them addictive, and they are highly recommended!

Access and Store Information for Menya Imajin Leap

Imajin Leap is about a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from Tendo Minami Station. With a spacious parking lot, you don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot, which is another great feature.

Summary

Menya Imajin Leap is a popular ramen shop in Tendo City where you can enjoy miso ramen with the rich flavor of saury broth. It is especially recommended for those who love seafood-based ramen or are looking for a rich miso ramen. It’s a bowl you’ll want to eat even if you have to wait in line! If you’re unsure which ramen shop to visit around Tendo City, be sure to check it out.

Here is the store information for Menya Imajin Leap

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