Journeys in photographs and words.
Vegetable ramen with a number-8 naruto, and gyoza
Vegetable ramen with a number-8 naruto, and gyoza

A ramen chain whose first shop opened on February 11, 1967, beside National Route 8 in Kuwabara, Kaga, Ishikawa. Its signature is ramen piled with stir-fried vegetables; that night I had it with miso broth, curly noodles and a naruto printed with an 8, plus pan-fried gyoza.

Sources: hachiban.co.jp hachiban.jp

This moment in the journey

Ending the night with Hokuriku's soul food

I had made up my mind to end the night with Hokuriku's soul food. Down a snowy road at night glowed the red neon of Hachiban Ramen.

Born along National Route 8, it is ramen piled high with stir-fried vegetables. Cabbage, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and pork are crowned with a slice of naruto fish cake printed with an 8. A rich miso broth and curly noodles, with pan-fried gyoza on the side.

It looks so simple, yet it goes straight to the heart. That hit the spot. "What is it about Hachiban?"

Watch this scene on YouTube6:50

Read this scene in the full journey

Holding the ramen bowl
Holding the ramen bowl
A Hachiban Ramen shop at night, with snow on the ground
A Hachiban Ramen shop at night, with snow on the ground
A small dish of gyoza dipping sauce
A small dish of gyoza dipping sauce
Picking up the number-8 naruto
Picking up the number-8 naruto
A hand passing in front of the spoon and soup
A hand passing in front of the spoon and soup
Stir-fried vegetables, bamboo shoots and a spoon in the soup
Stir-fried vegetables, bamboo shoots and a spoon in the soup
Curly noodles peeking out from under the vegetables
Curly noodles peeking out from under the vegetables
Eating ramen at a table
Eating ramen at a table