During my recent trip to Nagoya, I enjoyed miso katsu, one of the city’s famous dishes.
Another dish I wanted to try was Taiwan Ramen, a Nagoya-born dish that’s surprisingly unknown outside the region.
I decided to visit Misen(味仙), the restaurant where Taiwan Ramen was invented!
Misen: The Nagoya Chinese Restaurant Famous for Taiwan Ramen
Misen’s main location is in an area called Imaike, but unfortunately it only opens in the evening.
Since I only had time during lunch, I decided to visit the Yaba branch, which is accessible from Nagoya Station and open for lunch.
Here’s the exterior. The color scheme definitely gives off that Chinese restaurant vibe.
The vivid yellow and red signage really makes an impact.
It was well past lunchtime, but perhaps because it was Saturday, the place was packed.
The sight of multiple Chinese chefs lined up, all working their woks, was impressive.
Once seated, they brought out what looked like a beer bottle.
“Wait, I haven’t ordered anything yet…” I thought, but it turned out to be ice water. The bottle was filled with well-chilled water.
Being a Chinese restaurant, they have a wide variety of dishes on the menu, but of course I ordered the Taiwan Ramen.
They also have something called “Taiwan Ramen (American),” which is a milder version. Taiwan, American, and eating it in Japan – quite the international combination!
Spicy and Rich Taiwan Ramen – A Delicious Energy-Boosting Dish
And here it comes – Taiwan Ramen!
Chili peppers, garlic chives, garlic, and ground meat. Looks like an energy booster for sure.
The broth is soy sauce-based with a rich, deep flavor.
It’s incredibly delicious, likely from the essence of the seasoned meat and vegetables dissolved into the soup.
The noodles are medium-thin. Neither too thick nor too thin, they pair perfectly with the rich, flavorful broth.
Experience Authentic Taiwan Ramen at Its Birthplace, Misen
I had thought “Isn’t Taiwan Ramen just spicy ramen?” but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was.
Given the quality of this dish, I imagine their other menu items are also excellent, so it would be worth visiting just for regular Chinese cuisine as well.
If you’re ever in Nagoya, I highly recommend giving it a try.
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