The classic
Shoyu醤油
Chicken broth with soy tare, aromatic sardine oil — spring onion, chashu (braised pork), ajitsuke tamago, nori, menma, noodles
Discover the Shoyu ramenJapanese restaurant · Marseille
Japanese restaurant in Marseille
At Iwao, you push a door on rue Sainte and Marseille disappears: a Tokyo alley, broths simmering in the open kitchen, manga within reach. A true ramen-ya, steps from the Old Port.
The place
A ramen-ya in the heart of Marseille
Iwao isn't one more “asian restaurant”. It's a ramen-ya: a house built entirely around its broths, drawn in-house for hours, and five ramen recipes served piping hot facing the open kitchen. All around, the worn set of a Tokyo alley — signs, paper lanterns, aged wood.
Parcourez nos bols de ramen à Marseille — chaque recette se veut un ramen fidèle à la tradition japonaise, dans l’esprit de la maison IWAO. Consultez nos tarifs pour savoir combien prévoir pour un repas, et pensez à déjeuner chez nous en semaine : service du mercredi au samedi.
The immersion
Push the door, change cities
Here, the plate is only half the trip. You eat under the lanterns, surrounded by posters and manga; you linger over an arcade cabinet. In Marseille, it's the place you come to as much for the atmosphere as for the ramen.
Venez découvrir notre décor de ruelle japonaise, puis restez pour dîner dans notre ruelle de Tokyo. Retrouvez-nous au 27 rue Sainte, dans notre restaurant japonais rue Sainte, dans le 1ᵉʳ arrondissement entre Vieux-Port et Opéra. Lisez aussi ce que pensent nos clients.ramen ou sushi que choisir
The ramen menu
Five bowls, five house-made broths
A Japanese restaurant is judged first by its broths. At Iwao, the ramen menu comes down to five recipes, each with its own base, tare and aromatic oil: from a clear shoyu to a fiery tantanmen, by way of a clam broth and a vegetarian bowl.
The roundest
Miso味噌
Chicken broth with the chef's miso tare, garlic & ginger aromatic oil — corn, chashu, ajitsuke tamago, nori, noodles
Discover the Miso ramenVegetarian
Yasai Miso野菜味噌
Vegetarian broth with soy milk & sesame oil — pak choi, ajitsuke tamago, fried tofu, nori, noodles
Discover the Yasai Miso ramenSeaside signature
Asariアサリ
Fresh clam & fish dashi broth — spring onion, lemon slice, ajitsuke tamago, nori, noodles and clams
Discover the Asari ramenThe only spicy one
Tantanmen担々麺
Chicken broth, white sesame paste, spicy shoyu tare, rayu oil — spring onion, pak choi, ajitsuke tamago, niku miso (minced pork), noodles
Discover the Tantanmen ramenA smaller portion (shoyu, yasai or miso) is also served to younger guests: the kids ramen.
Occasions
Which occasion brings you in
A ramen-ya feels different depending on the moment. Here is how people enjoy Iwao, from a quick lunch to a lingering dinner, to pick your Japanese restaurant in Marseille to suit the day.
Weekday lunch
A piping-hot bowl assembled to order, served Wednesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 14:30: a real Japanese break without losing the afternoon.
Lunch at IwaoAn immersive dinner
In the evening, Tuesday to Sunday from 19:00 to 22:30, the room comes alive under the lanterns: you take your time, between steaming broths and a Tokyo-alley set.
Dinner at IwaoWith friends, around the manga
Small plates to share, manga within reach and an arcade cabinet to stretch the evening: Iwao suits the tables that like to linger.
The Iwao experienceWith the family
Plant-based ramen, a bowl thought out for younger guests and a Japanese-cartoon setting: children find their place at the table too.
Ramen for kidsAt the table
Our specialties
Beyond ramen, honest Japanese cooking made to share, from small bites to hearty bowls.
Gyoza & starters
Pan-fried Japanese dumplings, edamame, miso-glazed aubergine: the small plates that open the meal.
Karaage & fried bites
Marinated Japanese fried chicken, crisp outside and juicy inside — the classic you nibble at any hour.
Donburi & katsu curry
Generous rice bowls: katsu curry, gyudon, katsu don. Enough to fill the biggest appetites, noon or night.
Good to know
Coming to 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
The room fills quickly, especially in the evening and at weekends. Book online to be sure of your table.
Explore
Also worth a look
Iwao's ramen from every angle, and the rest of the house.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which ramen does this Japanese restaurant in Marseille serve?
Iwao's menu lists five ramen: shoyu (chicken broth with soy tare), miso (the chef's miso tare, garlic and ginger oil), a vegetarian yasai miso (soy milk and sesame oil), asari (fresh clams and fish dashi) and tantanmen, the only spicy bowl (white sesame, spicy shoyu tare, rayu oil). A smaller portion is also served to children.
What kind of Japanese restaurant is Iwao?
Iwao is an immersive ramen-ya: the house revolves around ramen, with house-made broths and an open kitchen, in a Tokyo-alley setting at 27 rue Sainte, Marseille (1st).
How do you recognise a good Japanese restaurant in Marseille?
A few simple signs: a ramen broth drawn in-house rather than from a packet, an open kitchen where each bowl is assembled to order, recipes true to tradition (shoyu, miso, tantanmen, plant-based ramen) and a setting that carries the journey. At Iwao, these markers guide every service, at 27 rue Sainte (1st), between the Old Port and the Opéra.
Where can I eat authentic Japanese ramen in Marseille?
Iwao is a ramen-ya devoted to ramen: broths slowly simmered in-house, noodles served piping hot facing the open kitchen, in a Tokyo-alley setting. It is the address designed to rediscover the spirit of a real Japanese ramen counter in Marseille, steps from the Old Port.
Does Iwao serve house-made Japanese cuisine?
Yes. The broths are drawn in-house and every bowl is assembled to order, facing the open kitchen. The menu brings together the house ramen recipes (signature, tantanmen, shoyu, miso, plant-based ramen), along with Japanese sides.
Where is the restaurant in Marseille?
At 27 rue Sainte, in the 1st arrondissement, a few minutes’ walk from the Old Port and the Opéra district.
Do I need to book?
It is strongly recommended, especially in the evening and at weekends. You can book online through the dedicated tool or by phone.
Do you offer vegetarian or halal options?
Yes: the menu includes meat-free recipes, among them a plant-based ramen, and suitable options. Allergens are flagged on the menu, and the team will guide you in the dining room.
Can I come at lunch as well as in the evening?
Iwao serves lunch Wednesday to Saturday (12:00 – 14:30) and dinner Tuesday to Sunday (19:00 – 22:30). Closed on Monday.
Is there a terrace?
Yes, a terrace with around fifteen seats welcomes guests on fine days, on rue Sainte.
Stage clear — table booked
Book your table
The counter and dining room fill up fast, especially in the evening. Book in seconds and come push the door of Iwao.
Continue → book your table
Or by phone: +33 4 91 54 08 27