Originating from a meals stall in Kurume Metropolis in 1937, tonkotsu ramen has change into one among Fukuoka’s most beloved native specialties. Whereas it’s typically divided into three kinds — Hakata, Nagahama, and Kurume — latest years have seen an explosion of artistic and advanced variations, providing a variety of flavors and experiences.
On this article, we introduce 4 locations for the most effective ramen in Fukuoka, the birthplace of tonkotsuramen. From a nostalgic meals stall representing Fukuoka’s yatai tradition to a ramen izakaya serving distinctive aspect dishes with drinks, all of those widespread eating places settle for reservations and promise a memorable culinary expertise.
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Right here’s an summary:

Picture: Umauma Gion retailer
『喜柳』|Kiryu
A famend yatai (road meals stall) in Hakata working since 1967. As a long-standing consultant of Fukuoka’s meals stall tradition, “Kiryu” has been featured in quite a few TV dramas and commercials, and stays bustling each night time with locals and vacationers.
- Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen: Basic Hakata-style skinny noodles meet a slowly simmered pork bone broth. A wealthy and genuine expertise of tonkotsu ramen.
- Yaki Ramen (Grilled Ramen): Boiled noodles grilled on a hotplate till crispy, served with a signature sauce. This can be a Fukuoka yatai favourite with a satisfying texture.
With over 100 menu gadgets, together with 10 ramen varieties, Kiryu affords one thing for everybody. Native specialties embrace:
- Hakata Gurumaki – cabbage and spicy cod roe rolled in dough
- Mochimochi Gyoza – chewy texture dumplings, a store favourite
- Karashi Menkon – spicy cod roe with lotus root
Simply 2 minutes on foot from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station or 1 minute from Tenjin-Minami Station, the stall has 15 counter seats and is good for solo diners or a ramen nightcap after drinks.
Handle: 1-4-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Reserve at Kiryu
『うま馬 祇園店』|Umama Gion
Based in 1953, this long-established restaurant inherits the flavour of Sanbaro, a pioneering store thought-about the basis of Hakata ramen. Its signature dish, the Genryu Hakata Ramen, contains a clear, clear pork bone broth, matched with house-made flat noodles. Regardless of its gentle look, it affords deep umami.
Don’t miss their beloved aspect dishes:
- Chew-size Gyoza
- Grilled Rooster Pores and skin Skewers
- Motsunabe (offal hotpot) with a gentle, savory flying-fish broth
- Contemporary Horse Sashimi sourced immediately from Kumamoto
Beneficial Programs
- Umama Course (No Drinks) – ¥3,300
Contains 7 gadgets like 5 sorts of skewers, bite-size gyoza, and a small bowl of Hakata ramen.
- Umama Full Course (with 2-Hours All-You-Can-Drink) – ¥5,000 (2+ friends)
Contains mentaiko tamagoyaki, gyoza, skewers, their signature motsunabe, and extra.
The usual ending dish is noodles or rice porridge from the hotpot, however you possibly can substitute with Genryu Hakata Ramen (small) for +¥400 if ramen is your aim.
Simply 1 minute from Gion Station, the restaurant contains a vigorous 9-seat counter, quieter tables for small teams, and a 2nd-floor tatami area for banquets.
(Course costs and contents are topic to the seasonal change. Costs are per individual.)
Handle: 1-26 Gionmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Reserve at Umama Gion
『豚そば 月や 大名店』|Tonsoba Tsukiya Daimyo Ten
From it`s flagship location in Nakasu, the place strains persist even late into the night time, “Tonsoba Tsukiya” has expanded to the Daimyo district. As a “clear tonkotsu ramen” specialist, the restaurant affords a lightweight but flavor-packed bowl. Its clear broth retains the wealthy depth and refined sweetness of pork bones — a brand new tackle tonkotsu ramen.
- Tonton Soba
Basic clear tonkotsu broth topped with tender, melt-in-your-mouth chashu.
- Dashi Soba (Daimyo location unique)
A transparent seafood-tonkotsu broth with fragrant umami from fish inventory.
- Identical-Day 2-Hour All-You-Can-Drink Course – ¥3,850 (2+ friends)
Contains shumai, boiled gyoza, fried rice, fried hen in candy sauce, and your alternative of ending ramen (Tonton Soba or Dashi Soba). Accessible for arrivals between 18:00 and 21:00.
Situated simply 5 minutes from Akasaka Station, the calm 32-seat area (28 desk seats, 4 counter seats) is family-friendly and helps bank cards, e-money, and QR funds.
(Course costs and contents might fluctuate by the season. All costs are per individual.)
『呉朝明』|Wu Chao MingRer
An extended-loved ramen izakaya in Fukuoka’s Tenjin space, “Wu Chao Ming” started as a meals stall in 1955. It`s tonkotsu ramen is restricted to 40 servings per day and contains a wealthy pork broth, medium-thin noodles, and melt-in-your-mouth chashu — a coveted combo that attracts ramen lovers from close to and much.
Their grilled wontons are particularly widespread and pair splendidly with the ramen, incomes a loyal following. The restaurant additionally affords a collection of over 50 alcoholic drinks, together with rigorously chosen sake and shochu.
Celebration Course
- Chef’s Alternative 6-Dish Course + 120-Minute All-You-Can-Drink – ¥4,900 (4+ friends)
Contains grilled and boiled wontons, 4 extra aspect dishes, and ramen to complete — excellent for group gatherings.
Situated about 12 minutes from Tenjin Station and 10 minutes from Akasaka Station, Wu Chao Ming options 32 desk seats and a comfy, relaxed environment. It’s referred to as a “hidden gem” that even actors and celebrities go to, treasured by locals.
(Course pricing and contents might fluctuate by the season. The value is per individual.)
Handle: 1F Shu Wa Maizuru Residence, 1-6-12 Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Reserve at Wu Chao Ming
Tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka varies extensively from store to buy — in broth richness, noodle thickness, and topping decisions. Whether or not you’re having fun with a nostalgic bowl at a yatai stall or savoring a refined model in a classy restaurant, each chunk provides taste to your journey.
Discover these 4 hand-picked retailers and indulge within the blissful bowls of tonkotsu ramen that may solely be present in Fukuoka.
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