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[Yamagata, Shonai Town] Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa Branch | Popular Menu Items and Limited Edition Ramen

 2025/09/12       This site contains advertisements. Category: ramen

[Yamagata, Shonai Town] Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa Branch | Popular Menu Items and Limited Edition Ramen アイキャッチ

When I head inland to Sakata, I often stop off for lunch at Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa.
I often stop off at Roadside Station Shonai along National Route 47 for a toilet break along the way, and this restaurant is actually located on the same premises as Roadside Station Shonai. That makes it easy to stop by, and as a ramen lover, I always find myself heading towards Ramen Shop Tsubaki.

There are restaurants at Roadside Station Shonai, but my favorite is Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa Branch. I especially recommend the “Korikori Nori Ramen.” The aroma of the sea and the soup are a perfect match, and I always order it every time I stop by.

This time, I’d like to introduce my favorite, Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa Branch.

Ramen Shop Tsubaki is a nationwide chain

Ramen Shop Tsubaki-Karikawa Branch Exterior
Ramen Shop Tsubaki-Karikawa Branch Exterior

As the name “Ramen Shop Tsubaki” suggests, it is actually a nationwide chain. However, unlike major franchises, it does not offer a uniform flavor; rather, each store is uniquely run as if it were an individual business.

It all began in the 1970s, when Tsubaki Shokudo Management Co., Ltd. began expanding the chain, mainly in the Kanto region, and gradually increased the number of stores, primarily roadside locations. Today, there are stores all over the country, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, and the exterior of the stores, with their red sign reading “Ramen Shop,” is a familiar sight to drivers and locals alike.

The reason for its popularity is its hearty flavor, with a pork bone-based soup seasoned with back fat. The “Green Onion Ramen” in particular is a beloved staple at every store. However, because the seasonings and toppings vary from store to store, even within the same Ramen Shop, each store has its own unique characteristics, and one of the attractions is being able to enjoy the “flavors that are unique to that region.”
The Karikawa store is one example of this, with original menu items such as “Tsuke Chashu Noodles” and “Korikori Nori Ramen” that are only available here.

Although it’s a chain restaurant, Ramen Shop Tsubaki maintains the freedom of a privately owned restaurant—perhaps that’s why it’s been loved for so many years across the country.

Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa Branch Store Information

Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa Branch [Ticket Machine]
Purchase a ticket from the vending machine to order

As soon as you enter the store, you’ll find a ticket machine on your right. It only accepts cash; electronic money and credit cards are not accepted. 10-yen, 100-yen, and 500-yen coins, as well as 1,000-yen and 2,000-yen bills, are accepted. 5,000-yen and 10,000-yen bills will need to be exchanged by the owner.

The store is run by the owner and his wife (?), and they seem to be always busy at lunchtime. For this reason, it’s a good idea to bring coins and 1,000-yen bills so you don’t have to ask for exchange.

The restaurant has 10 counter seats and two table seats. It often fills up at lunchtime, so it’s common to have to wait near the entrance. The parking lot is large, making it easy for truck drivers to drop in, so we recommend allowing plenty of time if you’re visiting at lunchtime.

Menu List

Ramen Shop Tsubakikarigawa Branch Menu
Ramen Menu List

The noodles are hand-kneaded thin noodles. The soup is a rich pork bone base, and you can enjoy a unique texture that is almost similar to Nagahama ramen.
What’s even better is the wide variety of menu items! Part of the fun is wondering, “What should I get next?” And the portions are quite generous. Even the regular size is so satisfying that you’ll find yourself thinking, “full!” so be careful if it’s your first time.

Our top recommendation is the “Tsuke-chashu Noodles”

Tsuke-chashu Noodles served at Ramen Shop Tsubakikarigawa
Tsuke-chashu Noodles

The shop’s signature dish is the “Tsuke Chashu Ramen.” The pork bone-based soup is topped with five thick, tender slices of pork! Lined up in a bowl, it’s a truly impressive sight. What’s more, they have a generous system where regular, medium, and large portions are all the same price. This is a great deal for big eaters.

What’s more, once you’ve finished your noodles, you can ask the chef for a “reheated soup” service, where he’ll reheat the soup for you. He’ll adjust the remaining soup a little and pour it over piping hot, so you can enjoy every last drop. Another nice touch is that they garnish it with white sesame seeds and seaweed.

My go-to ramen: Crunchy Nori Ramen

Crispy Nori Ramen served at Ramen Shop Tsubakikarigawa
Crispy Nori Ramen

My go-to ramen is the “Crispy Nori Ramen.” This bowl is topped with a generous amount of rock nori seaweed, and the aroma of the sea fills your mouth as you take a bite, while the unique crunchy texture is a delight.
Some people might find it a little salty. But for me, a seaweed lover, this is the best. Ramen with seaweed is not something you get to eat very often, so I always order it whenever I come here.

Shichimi Black Vinegar Ramen: A Must-Have for Sour Lovers

Served at Ramen Shop Tsubakikarigawa
Shichimi Black Vinegar Ramen

I’m the type of person who always adds vinegar to my ramen, no matter which ramen restaurant I go to. I know someone might say, “If you’re worried about oil, then don’t eat ramen,” (lol), but it’s a habit I’ve had since I was a child, and I almost always add vinegar to anything other than instant noodles. And the perfect ramen for me is Shichimi Black Vinegar Ramen.

The spicy shichimi chili pepper combines with a refreshing acidity to make the heavy pork bone soup refreshing. The garlic flavor is also clearly felt, and the aroma of sansho pepper in the shichimi and the chopped onions in the soup are in perfect harmony.
What’s even more surprising is the amount of shichimi used. When you lift the noodles with a spoon, you can see that the shichimi chili pepper is thoroughly mixed in. We also recommend the “Shichimi Osuzume Ramen.” This ramen is based on tsukemen soup, giving you the unique sensation of eating “warm tsukemen.” Even those who aren’t fans of tsukemen can enjoy this bowl of ramen.

A hearty “Cartilage Char Siu Meat-Daku Noodles”

Cartilage Char Siu Meat-Dense Noodles served at Ramen Shop Tsubakikarigawa
Cartilage Char Siu Meat-Dense Noodles

Another recommendation is the “Cartilage Char Siu Meat-Dense Noodles.”
It’s filled with chunks of slowly simmered pork cartilage, so you can enjoy both its softness and its crunchy texture.
However, the portions are huge. As you eat it, the texture becomes so chewy that you start to feel full, and you start to worry, “Will I be able to finish this?”, and after the meal, you always regret not ordering more.
But after a while, you remember, “I still want to eat it,” and end up ordering it again. –Well, I know you’re probably going to say, “Then don’t eat it,” (laughs).

Char Siu Lovers, Unite! “Char Siu Noodles”

Char Siu Noodles served at Ramen Shop Tsubakikarigawa
Char Siu Noodles

There are a whopping five slices of pork slices that completely cover the surface of the ramen bowl!
The first thing that catches your eye is this impressive sight, and it’s enough to make you want to eat a bowl of rice just from looking at it.
What’s more, the pork slices are just the right thickness, neither too thick nor too thin. They’re soft and easy to eat, yet each bite releases a burst of delicious flavor.
It’s not too fatty, so even if you order five slices, you won’t feel it’s heavy until the very end.
It’s a must-have for meat lovers, and a must-have for those days when you want to enjoy as much char siu as you can.
As you eat it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that there’s still char siu left, and you’ll be left feeling satisfied until the last bite. A luxurious char siu festival that hits all three boxes: appearance, satisfying texture, and flavor!

A hearty, rich ramen!

Rich ramen served at Ramen Shop Tsubakikarigawa
Rich ramen

For those who want a bowl of ramen that packs a punch, we recommend this Kote Kote Ramen. This ramen is a standard one, topped with a generous amount of back fat, making it the king of rich ramen.
With just one sip, the sweetness of the back fat and the richness of the soup will fill your mouth, and you’ll find yourself exclaiming, “Delicious!!” It’s a rich yet addictive flavor that will have you coming back for more.
However, be careful. Even a regular serving is quite filling. If you accidentally order a large portion, you’ll inevitably regret it after the meal and think, “Oh no… (sweat)” (lol).
But that “overdoing it” feeling is also part of the joy of thick ramen. The sense of accomplishment you get when you slurp up the rich, thick back fat soup is sure to become addictive once you try it!
If you like rich ramen, you should definitely try this; it’s the ultimate back fat ramen.

Summary

Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa is located on the same premises as the Shonai Roadside Station, making it conveniently located yet serving authentic ramen.
The hearty dipping chashu noodles, the unique texture of ramen made with plenty of rock nori seaweed, the addictive tartness of the shichimi black vinegar ramen, and the satisfying cartilage chashu… This is a restaurant that offers something different every time you visit.
If you’re visiting the Shonai Roadside Station, be sure to stop by. You’re sure to find a bowl of ramen you’ll love.

Spot Name Ramen Shop Tsubaki Karikawa Branch
Phone Number 0234-56-3223
Business Hours 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed Days Mondays
Address 122 Karikawa Sanbanwari, Shonai-machi, Higashitagawa-gun, Yamagata Prefecture, 999-6601
Access 2 minutes by car or 11 minutes on foot from JR Karikawa Station
Parking Available
Official Website & Social Media

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