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Menya Shirakawa Annex – A Takayama Ramen Experience

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Address: 56-2 Aioimachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0014, Japan

We arrived at Takayama at 6 pm and head out for dinner to Menya Shirakawa Annex around 7pm and were pleasantly surprised—no queue at all, which already felt like a small win. Service was quick and efficient, and the staff were genuinely friendly and welcoming. Bonus points for having an English menu, which makes ordering easy for non-Japanese diners.


Menya Shirakawa serves Takayama ramen, a regional style from Gifu Prefecture. Unlike the heavier tonkotsu ramen many of us are used to, Takayama ramen features:

  • A soy sauce-based broth built on chicken stock
  • Enhanced with fish (bonito) and vegetables, simmered for hours
  • A darker, almost black-looking soup with deep umami flavour
  • Curly noodles designed to absorb the broth well
  • Toppings like flame-grilled chashu and a generous amount of spring onions, which are a specialty of the region

It’s a style that leans more towards clean, layered flavours rather than richness.

What We Ordered


  • Hubs: Menya Shirakawa Chinese Noodles Super Deluxe
  • Me: Menya Shirakawa Chinese Noodles with Egg (fewer toppings, same noodle portion)

The Super Deluxe definitely came with a more generous spread of toppings, while my version was simpler but just as filling thanks to the same portion of noodles.

The Broth

The broth is visually striking—dark, almost black, thanks to the soy sauce base.

  • Hubs loved it—he found it deeply savoury and satisfying
  • Personally, I felt it leaned more towards a clean, dashi-like soup, not particularly complex or mind-blowing

Noodles

The curly noodles are a highlight:

  • Great texture with a nice bite
  • Hold onto the broth really well
  • Every mouthful is well-coated and balanced

Toppings

The toppings are pretty standard across both bowls:

  • Ramen egg: Soft and nicely done with a custardy centre
  • Chashu: Flame-seared with a smoky aroma, but slightly on the tough side for me
  • Spring onions, seaweed, bamboo shoots: Classic additions, nothing particularly outstanding

Everything is solid, but nothing really stands out apart from the smoky touch on the chashu.

Menya Shirakawa Annex delivers a solid, no-frills bowl of Takayama ramen:

  • Deep, soy-based broth 
  • Well-executed curly noodles
  • Friendly staff and smooth service
  • No queue at off-peak timing

But at the same time:

  • Ingredients felt quite standard overall
  • Chashu could be more tender
  • Broth may feel “just okay” depending on your preference

Final Verdict

This is a great spot if you’re curious about regional Japanese ramen styles and want something less heavy than tonkotsu.

For us, it was enjoyable—but not particularly memorable.


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Location: 56-2 Aioimachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0014, Japan

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