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Since our last visit to Iwao on Rue Sainte, the menu has expanded considerably, and the single bowl of the early days has given way to a veritable repertoire of ramen. Five broths now form the core of the menu: Shoyu with chicken and a slice of braised pork, Miso with garlic and ginger, vegetarian Yasai Miso with soy milk and sesame, Asari with fresh clams and fish dashi, and Tantanmen , a spicy and creamy version with white sesame and chili oil. A milder children's version completes the offering. Each bowl can be customized upon request: marinated soft-boiled egg, extra pork chashu, menma, nori seaweed, or hot chili paste—which, the menu warns, should be handled with great care.
Before the broth, the restaurant now offers a real selection of appetizers: homemade gyoza, tofu katsu, pork tonkatsu, sautéed eggplant, and mackerel fillets marinated in rice vinegar. And for those who want to extend their visit without resorting to just soup, rice-based dishes have appeared: donburi with fried tofu and miso, pork loin sautéed with onion and ginger, or karaage curry, where the famous fried chicken leg is served over a bowl of homemade curry rice topped with a soft-boiled egg.
As for the atmosphere, the immersive experience continues to delight: multicolored lanterns hang from the ceiling, alcoves reminiscent of traditional temples, an open kitchen where a steamy brigade works its magic, and even a small corner dedicated to retro video games to pass the time while waiting for your table. The restaurant has also reworked its broths, simmering them longer and re-seasoning them for even greater depth of flavor.
But the real surprise lies in the drinks menu: Iwao boasts a sake list that's anything but ordinary. From floral brews to be savored in small 8cl glasses, to traditional favorites and an exceptional selection at €60 per carafe, the menu rivals that of a true specialist brewery. You'll also find hot sake, liqueurs like plum umeshu or ultra yuzu, a signature highball cocktail with Toki whisky, and a fine array of Japanese whiskies, gins, and rums to accompany noodles throughout the evening. Those with a sweet tooth aren't forgotten either, with ramune, the sparkling Japanese lemonade, available in natural, melon, or plum flavors.
Enough to transform a simple ramen dinner into a true journey through Japan, from the bowl to the glass.
IWAO
27 rue Sainte, 13001 Marseille.
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 14:30pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 20pm to 22:30pm.
Tel. 04 91 54 08 27
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