Recommended bowl: Chilled ramen
Sakaeya Honten's claim to fame is that it was the first ramen shop in Yamagata prefecture (and perhaps one of the first in all of Japan) to serve 'Hiyashi Ramen', or chilled ramen. The soup is made from kombu, katsuo (skipjack tuna) and beef, along with sesame oil. Noodles are supplied by Sakai Seimenjō. Originally opened by master Abe-san in 1932, with ramen first going on the menu in 1949. After numerous requests from regular customers, chilled ramen was created and put on the menu in 1952. Current master is fourth generation.