What Are Lineages?
Iekei ramen isn't just one style—it's a family tree of related shops, each with its own interpretation and evolution of the original Yoshimura-ya recipe.
Understanding lineages helps you appreciate the subtle differences between shops and discover the connections that make Iekei ramen culture so rich.
Yoshimura-ya - The Source
All Iekei ramen traces back to Yoshimura-ya (吉村家) in Yokohama. Founded by Minoru Yoshimura, this legendary shop created the original tonkotsu-shoyu style that defined the entire Iekei category.
Founded: 1974 in Shin-Sugita, Yokohama
The 7 Playable Lineages
Direct Lineage
直系
Direct descendants from Yoshimura-ya, the source of all Iekei
Classic Style
クラシック系
Traditional Iekei shops maintaining the original style
Musashiya Family
武蔵家系
The influential Musashiya branch
Oudouya Family
王道家系
The royal road style lineage
Independent
独立系
Independent shops with unique interpretations
Ichi Branch
壱系
The distinctive Ichi lineage
Original Style
オリジナル
Shops with original creative styles
How Lineages Work
Master-Apprentice Inheritance
Most shops have a 'parent' they trained under. This creates a family tree showing who learned from whom.
Recipe Evolution
While maintaining core Iekei principles, each lineage develops its own character—adjusting broth richness, noodle thickness, or topping style.
Explore the Tree
Use the Tree View on the Discovery page to see the complete family relationships and trace shops back to their roots.
Completing a Lineage
Visit all shops in a lineage to earn its Master badge. Each lineage has a different number of shops, making some easier to complete than others.
💡 Strategy: Start with smaller lineages (5-10 shops) to quickly earn your first Master badge!