How Ramen Road Began
As a native Japanese based in Tokyo, I've always enjoyed great ramen whenever I could find it. Each amazing bowl was a moment of joy, but they remained fragmented experiences—isolated dots on a map with no clear connection between them.
I couldn't quite figure out the relationships myself. Why did some shops taste similar? What made certain bowls feel like they shared a common DNA? The connections were there, but invisible to most of us who simply loved ramen.
That's when Ramen Road was born: to connect these dots through the family tree of ramen shops, helping people understand not just where to eat, but why these flavors exist and how they relate to each other.
Our Mission
Ramen Road exists to transform how people experience and understand ramen:
- Connect the dots between ramen shops through their family heritage and lineage
- Help both travelers and regulars develop a deeper perspective on ramen culture
- Turn fragmented experiences into a cohesive journey of discovery and learning
- Make the joy of ramen even bigger by understanding the story behind each bowl
Why Start with Iekei?
We chose to begin with Iekei ramen because its origin story is distinctive and well-documented. Born in Yokohama in 1974 with Yoshimura-ya, Iekei has a clear lineage structure that makes it perfect for understanding how ramen shops evolve and branch out.
But this is just the beginning. We hope to expand Ramen Road to include many other flavors and styles, creating a comprehensive map of ramen heritage across Japan.
What is Iekei Ramen?
Iekei (家系) literally means "house style" or "family style" ramen. It represents a distinctive branch of ramen that originated in Yokohama and has since spread across Japan with hundreds of descendant shops.
Rich Tonkotsu-Shoyu Broth
A powerful blend of pork bone and soy sauce creates the signature thick, creamy soup
Thick, Straight Noodles
Medium-thick straight noodles that hold up well to the heavy broth
The Yoshimura-ya Legacy
Founded in 1974, Yoshimura-ya is the source of all Iekei lineages
The Future of Ramen Road
While we're starting with Iekei ramen in Yokohama, our vision extends far beyond. We want to help people discover, understand, and fall even more in love with ramen—whether they're tourists exploring Japan for the first time or regulars looking to deepen their appreciation. Every bowl has a story, and we're here to help you discover it.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Start exploring the Iekei lineages and discover the connections behind your favorite bowls.