A winter trip to Fukuoka: Hakata Edition – for fellow travel lovers, brought to you by @owncolorstravel an Okinawa-based blogger who writes about travel and lifestyle.
The theme of this 3-day, 2-night trip? “Eat as much delicious food as possible in Fukuoka!” The question is—just how much can I experience in such a short time? Let’s find out!
Hakata: The Ultimate Ramen Battleground. When you think of Hakata, you think of ramen!
Globally, Japanese food is practically synonymous with ramen, sushi, and tempura—you see restaurants serving these dishes almost everywhere, no matter where you travel.
But if you’ve ever had ramen in the U.S., you know it can feel expensive, especially for Japanese people. Once you factor in tips, the price is way beyond what we’re used to in Japan (and with the weak yen, it’s even worse).
So, with just a short stay in Fukuoka’s Hakata area, I went on a ramen-tasting mission. My goal? To try some of the most famous ramen spots and share my experience—especially for visitors coming to Japan and for anyone new to tonkotsu ramen!
・Ichiran Head Office
Ichiran Head Office Main Branch 5-3-2 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 810-0801
Many of you may already know this, but Ichiran, the famous natural tonkotsu ramen specialty chain, has expanded all across Japan. Personally, I love it!
By the way, the only Ichiran location in Okinawa is on Kokusai Street.
As soon as I checked into my hotel in Fukuoka, I headed straight there. The Ichiran Headquarters & Main Store is in Nakasu, and it was just a short walk from my hotel!
As expected from the headquarters building—it has a real presence.
Ichiran is open 24/7, so you can enjoy tonkotsu ramen anytime. Even though there are seats on the second floor, there was already a line in front of the building, mostly made up of tourists from other Asian countries, all waiting in the cold. And this was before the evening rush on a weekday!
One of Ichiran’s unique features is its solo dining booths. Each counter seat has dividers, creating a space where you can fully focus on your ramen. The ordering process is simple:
- Buy a ticket from the vending machine.
- Fill out a form with your preferences (broth richness, spice level, toppings, etc.).
- Hand it in and wait for your ramen—without ever making eye contact with the staff!
It’s a system designed for maximum ramen enjoyment, minimal distractions.
Each counter table has order forms available in English, Korean, and other languages, making it easy for international travelers to customize their ramen. It’s a thoughtful touch that shows how tourist-friendly Ichiran is!
By the way, kaedama refers to an extra serving of noodles that you can add to your remaining soup—something commonly seen with Hakata-style ramen. You can also choose your preferred noodle firmness. Personally, when it comes to Hakata ramen, I always go for the firmer option!
With a chime signaling the arrival of my ramen, my meal was ready!
Some Ichiran locations serve special varieties, like Kamadare Tonkotsu Ramen in a lacquered box-style bowl, but I went for the classic Natural Tonkotsu Ramen this time.
It had been a while since my last Ichiran visit. Was the broth always this mild? It went down so smoothly. After arriving in Hakata on a cold winter day, this bowl of ramen warmed me up and hit the spot.
Ichiran’s tonkotsu ramen is made exclusively from pork bone broth, with no additional soup bases. The signature “Red Secret Sauce”—a blend of over 30 carefully aged ingredients with a chili pepper base—adds depth to the flavor without overpowering it. The result? A rich yet refined broth with no strong porky smell.
Ichiran’s Natural Tonkotsu Ramen is also trans fat-free and packed with collagen, making it a guilt-free indulgence that’s great for your skin. This bowl not only satisfied my hunger but also gave me a true taste of Hakata’s famous ramen!
・Hakata Ramen ShinShin
Hakata Ramen ShinShin Komondomachi Branch 1F, KS Commond Building, 2-4 Komondomachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 812-0029
On my second night, I had Hakata Ramen at ShinShin.
Originally, I planned to visit a yatai (street food stall) that night, but the weather wasn’t great, and the lines were way too long. So, I gave up on the yatai and made a last-minute change—ramen it was!
I had been to ShinShin’s Tenjin main store before, so it felt nostalgic to go again. The owner trained at a yatai for over 10 years before opening the Tenjin location. This time, I visited the Komondomachi branch, which is relatively close to Nakasu.
What makes ShinShin’s ramen special?
- Ultra-thin noodles
- Carefully selected chashu (roast pork)
- A slightly salty yet light broth, making it a perfect match for fried rice
Besides ramen, the menu also features gyoza, chashu rice bowls, and more!
・Fukuoka Airport Ramen Runway
Fukuoka Airport’s domestic terminal has a special area called “Ramen Runway”, where you can enjoy Hakata ramen before your flight!
This ramen hotspot features around 10 different shops, bringing together some of the most popular ramen spots in one place. One big advantage? You can easily hop from one shop to another, trying different bowls in a single visit.
The moment you step into this area, you’re greeted by the distinct aroma of tonkotsu broth. Love it or hate it, there’s no mistaking that you’re in ramen country!
Since opening in Kanda Ochanomizu Tokyo in 2005, Tsujita has expanded to multiple locations across Japan.
Meanwhile, in Okinawa’s Chatan area, Hakata-style ramen has been on the rise! One example is Kō-chan Ramen, a Hakata ramen specialty shop that recently opened there. Another crowd favorite is Danbo Ramen, which originated in Chikushino, Fukuoka. It’s so popular that there’s always a line!
Ippudo, which has expanded overseas to places like the U.S., France, and across Asia, is well-known. You can choose between the Shiromaru and Akamaru ramen depending on your mood—I used to eat there often when I lived in Osaka. By the way, in Okinawa, you can enjoy it at the Okinawa PARCO City.
Then there’s Ramen Unari, which started from its Kiyokawa location in Fukuoka City.
・Hakata Ikkosha
At Ramen Runway, I decided to dine at Hakata Ikkousha.
Although I’ve visited Fukuoka multiple times, I had never tried their ramen before, so I made up my mind to give it a go.
The restaurant was fully packed, but since I still had time before my flight, I bought a ticket and waited for my turn.
By the way, the letters B, K, and Y on the ticket stand for Bari-Kata (extra firm), Katame (firm), and Yawarakame (soft) in romanized Japanese. Travelers from overseas might not be familiar with this system, so knowing that you can customize your noodle firmness will help you enjoy your ramen experience even more.
One of Hakata Ikkousha’s signature features is its frothy soup. At first glance, you can’t even see the noodles.
This foam, known as “shihou” or fat bubbles, forms when the rich layer of fat that rises to the surface during the tonkotsu broth-making process mixes with water and air, creating a thick, bubbly texture.
I ordered the light tonkotsu ramen. It had a creamy, frothy texture but was well-balanced with a savory saltiness.
They also offer options like the Ajitama Aka Ramen, featuring a spicy broth, and the Ajitama Kuro Ramen, made with roasted garlic oil—so you can choose based on your preference.
Three bowls of ramen in a two-night, three-day stay—a taste test! How did you like this round of Fukuoka’s popular tonkotsu ramen spots?
Tonkotsu ramen, made with a rich pork bone broth, is a must-try when visiting Hakata. It’s quick, satisfying, and perfect even when you’re short on time. As you explore and compare different bowls, you’ll surely find a shop that suits your taste.
Next time I visit Hakata, I’ll be on the lookout for my next ramen adventure!