The broth first
Two or three spoonfuls before mixing: it is the shellfish that speaks, let it tell you whether the bowl needs anything. Most of the time, it needs nothing.
Marine ramen · Marseille
Asari ramen, with clams
Asari means clams. At Iwao they yield a clear, briny broth of rare delicacy — a ramen you almost drink like a consommé. Far from the rich, fatty bowls, this is the one for those chasing marine finesse, drawn in-house on rue Sainte, steps from the Old Port.
Asari
The clam, all in finesse
In Japan, asari ramen is a signature of houses that love fish and shellfish. The clam releases a clear marine umami — frank yet light, never heavy: a translucent, briny, fragrant broth that lingers without ever saturating. At Iwao we draw it in-house, clarify it, and serve it piping hot over thin noodles that leave all the room to the shellfish. It is a bowl of nuance — the one we recommend to anyone who finds classic bowls too filling.
A true ramen-ya
A marine bowl, a Tokyo setting
Asari ramen is eaten as it should be: at the counter, piping hot, plated in front of you. Under the red lanterns, among posters and manga, the open kitchen lets you watch the broth finish simmering. You slurp the thin noodles, take another spoonful of broth, and listen to the shellfish rather than correct it. It is a bowl that asks for little — and that is exactly what makes it a moment.
The right gesture
How to enjoy a clam broth
A delicate broth is treated like a consommé: you listen, you add almost nothing.
Few condiments
A marine broth handles excess poorly. No heavy chilli, no vinegar: keep the iodine clean and the salinity just right, as it was calibrated in the kitchen.
The noodles, fast
Thin and taut, they swell quickly. Lift a small bundle, slurp to aerate the aroma, and keep the tempo — seven to ten minutes for the whole bowl.
Good to know
Coming to taste asari ramen at Iwao
- Address27 rue Sainte, 13001 Marseille (1ᵉʳ)
- Phone+33 4 91 54 08 27
- Opening hours
Tuesday · 19:00 – 22:30
Wednesday → Saturday · 12:00 – 14:30 / 19:00 – 22:30
Sunday · 19:00 – 22:30
Closed on Monday.
- Terrace
Around 15 outdoor seats
Our tip
Marine broths are made in limited quantity and go fast. Flag any shellfish allergy when ordering, and book online to be sure of your seat at the counter.
Explore
Also worth a look
Iwao's ramen from every angle, and the rest of the house.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is asari ramen?
Asari means clams in Japanese. Asari ramen is a bowl whose broth is drawn from these shellfish: clear, briny, saline and delicate. It is a marine ramen, lighter than pork-bone bowls, eaten almost like a consommé.
How is a clam broth different?
It is translucent and clean, where a tonkotsu is milky and rich. The clam brings a frank marine umami without heaviness: the broth stays light on the palate and you can finish it without feeling cloyed. Finesse, not power, is its reputation.
Is asari ramen very salty or strong?
No. It is briny by nature — that is the sea — but calibrated to stay balanced. The shellfish gives fragrance more than force. Taste the broth before adding any condiment: most often, it stands on its own.
How do you eat this bowl at Iwao?
Like a delicate broth: start with two or three spoonfuls, add little, slurp the thin noodles to aerate the aroma, and keep the tempo. The team will guide you, especially if it is your first marine ramen.
Is asari ramen always on the menu?
Marine broths are made in limited quantity and depend on the catch, so they can vary. Best to check the day’s menu or ask when you book. The team will tell you what is being served when you visit.
Where can you eat asari ramen in Marseille?
At Iwao, 27 rue Sainte in the 1st arrondissement, a few minutes’ walk from the Old Port and the Opéra district. Booking is recommended, especially in the evening and at weekends.
Stage clear — table booked
Book your table
The counter and dining room fill up fast, especially in the evening. Book in seconds and come taste the asari ramen, piping hot, plated in front of you.
Continue → book your table
Or by phone: +33 4 91 54 08 27