Nagoya is home to some must-try foods, and one of them is Taiwan ramen. I love spicy food, so whenever I visit Nagoya, I always make sure to go to Misen. Misen is the origin of Taiwan ramen, and there are several branches across the city. Each branch has its own unique flavor and spiciness level. The Yaba branch (味仙 矢場店) is known for serving an extremely spicy version of Taiwan ramen.
Yaba branch is quite large, spanning two floors (1F and 2F) with a total of 300 seats. When I arrived just after opening time, there were already many customers. Most of the staff are Chinese, and I heard a lot of Chinese being spoken, which made me feel as if I were in China!
Misen is famous for its Taiwan ramen, but it is actually a standard Chinese restaurant offering a variety of dishes that pair well with alcoholic drinks. Many customers were enjoying beer even during weekday lunch, and I was no exception!
This is their signature Taiwan ramen. It was packed with red pepper, chili oil, and minced meat. It was incredibly spicy—far spicier than the one I had last time at the JR Nagoya Station branch—but absolutely delicious!
Misen allows customers to customize the spiciness level:
American (mild)
Normal
Italian
Alien 👽 (extremely spicy)
They also serve another spicy ramen called Misen ramen. This dish is loaded with clams and has a broth infused with Chinese spices. Some people might find the flavor intense. I had heard that it was spicier than Taiwan ramen, but personally, I found it to be milder.
One of the standout dishes is kobukuro, or pork uterus, which is seasoned with spicy sauce, pepper, and garlic. It has a crunchy texture and pairs perfectly with alcoholic drinks!
If you’re visiting Misen just for Taiwan ramen, that’s already a great experience. However, if you enjoy drinking, I highly recommend ordering some drinks and side dishes before finishing with a bowl of Taiwan ramen—it’s my go-to routine at Misen.
About
Name Misen Yaba shop (味仙 矢場店)
Open Day through night
Reservation Available for course only
Credit card Available
URL Website, Instagram
Google Map
