Hello everyone!
Nagai City in Yamagata Prefecture is famous for its horse meat, but have you heard of Nagai’s specialty, horse meat ramen?

Nagai City is home to several popular horse meat ramen restaurants, but this time I’d like to introduce you to the horse meat ramen from Nagai’s local restaurant, Marukyu, which I personally tried.

Marukyu’s Horse Meat Ramen: A Report on Price and Taste

“Horse meat ramen” is ramen made with roasted pork made from horse meat, rather than pork.

Nagai city in Yamagata prefecture is known for its horse meat, and there are various theories about the connection between horse meat and Nagai city, but I will introduce that story later.

When you enter Marukyu’s restaurant, there are table seats at the front and a large tatami room divided into left and right halves at the back.

This time, I was seated at the back of the tatami room.

As for the menu,

What a menu item!
But this is it. I wanted to eat horse meat noodles!
And at 750 yen, it’s also a very reasonable price. This time I ordered a large portion and one rice ball.
It seems that you can order one rice ball and one grilled rice ball separately. They cost 100 yen each.
*The product name is “Horse Meat Chinese Soba,” but from now on we will refer to “Horse Meat Chinese Soba” as “Horse Meat Ramen.”

The long-awaited Horse Meat Ramen! Rich soup, full-bodied flavor

Finally, the horse meat ramen arrives.

The ramen has a rich soy sauce soup reminiscent of tamari soy sauce, thin, straight noodles, and mild-looking horse meat.
It’s topped with green onions, creating a simple yet impactful impression.

Now, let’s try it…

The rich soy sauce soup matches perfectly with the straight noodles, creating an addictive flavor with a hint of sweetness amidst the strong flavor.

The soup clings to the noodles, creating an excellent combination.

Next, we tried the horse meat char siu. It had a rather bland taste, but it wasn’t bland; the flavor was well-absorbed, making it soft and easy to eat.

The soup was also a little thick, making it an excellent match with rice balls.
It seems that adding grilled mochi to horse meat ramen is also delicious. If you’re interested, be sure to give it a try.

Restaurants where you can eat horse meat ramen in Nagai City, Yamagata

There are several restaurants in Nagai City, Yamagata where you can enjoy horse meat ramen.
First up is “Marukyu,” the restaurant I actually reviewed this time.
The restaurant is located a little away from the center of Nagai City, and has an impressive, old-fashioned, calm atmosphere.
There is a parking lot right next to the store, and although it is not paved, it is large enough to accommodate more than 10 cars.

In addition to Marukyu, you can also enjoy horse meat ramen at the following restaurants in Nagai City.
If you’d like to try horse meat ramen from different restaurants, be sure to compare them all!

Why is Nagai City famous for horse meat?

There are various theories about the relationship between Nagai and horse meat, but the exact origins of this connection are unclear.

However, this may be due to the fact that Nagai was once a major horse-producing area.
Also, a grass racecourse was built here in the early Showa period, suggesting that Nagai and horses have had a deep connection since ancient times.

Currently, members of the Nagai Chamber of Commerce and Industry are working to liven up the area through a “Horse Meat Map” and mascot character, and are also putting a lot of effort into passing on and spreading horse meat culture.

Why not check that out as well?

Nagai City has more than just horse meat ramen! Other attractive spots

Nagai City’s appeal extends beyond horse meat ramen.
Its delicious delicacies include steamed buns and sausages made with horse meat.

In addition to the delicious food, there are also plenty of tourist attractions.
For example, Nagai Ayame Park is home to around 1 million irises of 500 varieties, and the Iris Festival is held there every June. During the festival, various events are held and many food stalls are set up, creating a lively atmosphere.

There are also campsites surrounded by nature, such as Shiroi Mori Auto Campground and Nagai Peony Forest, which are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

With summer approaching, it’s the perfect season for camping and nature walks, so why not visit one of these places?
Summary
Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, is home to a unique and distinctive gourmet dish: horse meat ramen, a dish steeped in the region’s history and culture. In addition to Marukyu, which we introduced here, the city is dotted with other appealing horse meat ramen restaurants, making it perfect for a gourmet stroll.
In addition to gourmet food, Nagai is also home to a wide variety of tourist attractions, including Iris Park, where you can enjoy flowers of all seasons, and campgrounds where you can fully enjoy nature. Nagai City, where you can enjoy both food and nature, is truly a treasure trove of relaxation and discovery.

We encourage you to visit Nagai City and find your own favorite spots and flavors. Why not experience the charm of Nagai to the fullest with some horse meat ramen?

Click here for information on “Marukyu” Horse Meat Noodles