Hyogo's Best Ramen: Nagomi

In eastern Nishinomiya between Kobe and Osaka, Mukogawa boasts an unusual train station, with platforms directly above a river. But that's not the only reason to visit, oh no...

Nagomi (和海 in Japanese) has been ranked the best ramen shop in Hyogo for the last three years, a title I think they deserve. Open for lunch (12:00-13:30) and dinner (18:00-20:00) from Tuesday to Saturday, there's always a queue, but justifiably so: their ramen (around ¥990) is the best. The noodles are cooked to perfection, the meat literally melts on the tongue, the onions have a sharp bite to them and the broth - oh the broth! - is ambrosia...

All self-respecting ramen lovers must visit. From the Hanshin line station's east exit, walk straight down the slope for about six minutes. Nagomi is on the right next to a car park, a humble establishment, where taste is everything.