Nidaime Takahashi Shoten
An incredible ramen shop in Higashine. Uses only the first-extraction dashi from 4.5 tons of niboshi (dried sardines) annually—no artificial seasonings whatsoever. Extra-thick handmade noodles and massive chashu pork are extraordinary. Tabelog 3.58 with 363 reviews. Closes when soup runs out; constant lunch queues.
Fans from outside the prefecture say: 'One sip tells you exactly what 4.5 tons of sardines means,' 'This flavor with no artificial seasonings represents the best of Yamagata ramen,' 'Worth lining up before opening.'