"Soba, udon, and spaghetti all have fresh noodle versions, so why is somen only available as dried noodles?"... Over 20 years ago, someone had this simple question. This curious thought eventually led to the birth of a hugely popular restaurant in Iwamizawa. What kind of place is it?

The person behind this simple question was Mr. Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi of Iwamizawa City. It struck him while he was eating somen his wife, Chieko, had prepared for him.

He called various noodle manufacturers, but none of them handled fresh somen. "If that's the case, I'll just make it myself!" he decided. With the help of a local noodle factory, he embarked on a journey of trial and error. And finally, his long-awaited fresh somen noodles were born!

Made from a blend of Hokkaido's Kita-akari and Haruyutaka wheat, these fresh somen noodles are beautifully glossy and translucent white. The long-awaited opening of "Komugiya Menmen" quickly made it a massive hit, earning a reputation for its delicately flavored fresh somen that can't be found anywhere else.

You must be curious about the menu, right? Let's dive into some recommendations.

For those who want to simply savor the taste of fresh somen, the cold "Zaru Shoyu-dare" (550 yen, tax included) is a great choice. It's the quintessential dish that makes everyone who tries it exclaim, "This completely changes my idea of what somen is!"

The owner, Mr. Kawaguchi, recommends the "Tori Tsukemen" (830 yen, tax included). The yuzu-infused dipping sauce is a perfect match for the smooth fresh somen. Add a little kick with yuzu kosho (yuzu pepper paste) to your liking and enjoy the elegant aroma that wafts through.

Let's also introduce a warm dish. This is the "Negi-shio Somen" (610 yen, tax included), which also contains yuzu. It has a mysteriously deep flavor that's different from traditional nyumen (hot somen soup). It's a light yet satisfying dish with a refreshing green onion and salt taste.

So, are you getting curious about what fresh somen is like? For those who can't easily make it to Iwamizawa, they offer delivery of "Omiyage Somen" (souvenir somen, 4 servings for 1,400 yen, tax included). And of course, for those who have tried it before, you can relive that amazing experience at home!

The menu items introduced here are just a small selection. They also have a full lineup of rice bowls that pair perfectly with the fresh somen. In addition to table seating, there are spacious 'koagari' (raised tatami floor) seats, making it popular with families with small children.

Once you try it, you'll be hooked and surely want to visit again and again!