Sanmamen
At a glance
| Name | Sanmamen (Sanmamen) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Kanagawa |
| Region | Kanto |
| Type | Vegetable-topped ramen |
What is it?
Sanmamen is a Yokohama-area ramen topped with stir-fried bean sprouts, vegetables, and often thinly sliced pork in a glossy starch-thickened sauce. The base soup is usually soy sauce or salt flavored.
Despite the sound of its name, it does not contain Pacific saury. The name is written with several Chinese-character combinations and is tied to Yokohama's Chinese restaurant culture.
History and local context
The dish was established in Yokohama before or around the early postwar period, with more than one restaurant linked to its origin. It spread through Chinese diners across Kanagawa.
How to enjoy it
Mix the hot vegetable topping into the noodles gradually. The thick sauce retains heat, so begin carefully and notice how it changes the lighter soup below.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sanmamen from?
It is associated with Kanagawa, in the Kanto region of Japan.
What kind of food is Sanmamen?
This guide classifies it as vegetable-topped ramen. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Sanmamen online?
Use the Rakuten Japan search link on this page. Confirm the maker, ingredients, storage requirements, and international shipping before ordering.
Order from Japan
Search Rakuten Japan using the original Japanese food name. Search results and product pages may be available only in Japanese.
This section contains an advertising affiliate link to Rakuten Japan.