Located about a 5-minute drive from Wakamatsu IC on the Kitakyushu Urban Expressway in Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu City, is the "Ichiryu Ishida Main Store". This renowned restaurant recently won the Kitakyushu Ramen Championship after a long period of closure due to the impact of the new coronavirus. As soon as the store opened, it quickly became full, a common sight for popular establishments. The staff greeted customers with energy and enthusiasm. I ordered their recommended rich ramen. The thick soup had a rich flavor without the typical strong smell of tonkotsu broth. The carefully prepared, flavorful soup was a delight. The thinly sliced chashu had a slight char, giving it a wonderful aroma. And when it comes to tonkotsu ramen, thin noodles are a must. I ordered them firm. The rich soup coated each strand of noodles perfectly. Despite its richness, it was easy to eat and incredibly delicious! While Hakata is famous for tonkotsu ramen, Ichiryu Ishida can easily compete with renowned shops in Hakata with their high-quality tonkotsu ramen. Although they have expanded to many locations, the main store here is highly recommended. While the other locations are not bad, the taste is just different.

The food was delicious and I enjoyed it. I would like to come back if I have the chance. The air conditioning was blasting and it was freezing cold. There is limited parking space, so it's better to come with some extra time to avoid a parking battle on an empty stomach.＼＼\\٩( 'ω' )و //／／ﾊﾟｧ〜

This is a must-visit restaurant where you can compare and enjoy both rich tonkotsu ramen and street stall ramen. You can tell that the tonkotsu broth has been simmered for hours to extract the flavors! The noodles are delicious and the fried rice is also good! It's a great dish to treat people who have come from other areas to Kitakyushu. The staff is energetic and the atmosphere is pleasant.

I went to this year's ramen festival but couldn't eat there, so I was really curious about it. I checked on Tabelog and found out it opened at 11 am, so I didn't want to wait in line and arrived at 11 am! Oh? Full parking lot...oh no...but there are cars leaving. Huh? Cars leaving at 11 am...? I quickly secured a parking spot and went to the entrance, where I saw the opening time was actually 10 am. Why does everyone know it opens at 10 am, haha. Now I googled it and found out it does open at 10 am. Someone should have updated the information on Tabelog. I bought my meal ticket and waited a bit, then I was seated right away. The turnover rate seems to be really good. What's the BGM playing in the restaurant? I have no idea, sorry, it's like a festival...I wonder if they chose the music to speed up the turnover rate...? I don't really understand, but my ramen arrived quickly, haha. The chashu looked big and delicious. When I took a bite of the ramen, it wasn't too oily but very rich and creamy. There was no unpleasant smell. The chashu was also well-seasoned and really tasty. The rich ramen I ordered had thin noodles, while the person who ordered the street stall ramen had medium-thick noodles. You can feel the dedication and uniqueness of each dish. I ate in a rush and left quickly. It would have been nice to savor it a little more. Thank you for the meal ☺︎

As expected, this ramen shop is a representative of Kitakyushu. I have visited many times. I also love their tsukemen, but this time I went for the rich ramen. The quality of the taste is high, and the atmosphere is also top-notch. I would still want to visit even if the prices were higher. The owner was not there on this day, but compared to other shops, the atmosphere and space inside were still great. I know the outstanding atmosphere and vibe when the owner is there, so I want to go back to experience that again.

Located in Shimo-Ishida, Kokuraminami Ward, Kitakyushu City. Inducted into the Kitakyushu Ramen Hall of Fame, winner of the Kitakyushu Ramen Festival, the true No.1 ramen in Kitakyushu, "Ishida Ichiryu." This branch has served over 1500 bowls. The three pillars of Ishida Ichiryu: "Rich" ramen, simmered for over 16 hours to the limit of pork bone flavor; "Yatai" ramen, with a comforting blend of pork bone umami and sauce flavor; and "Tsukemen" with a choice of umami or super spicy fish and pork bone soup. Side menu items include extra noodles, seared chashu, chashu rice bowl, fried rice, onigiri, and gyoza. This time, I ordered the Rich Ramen (800 yen). The Rich Ramen is the epitome of pork bone ramen, with a rich pork bone soup clinging to thin straight noodles. Milky but rich, topped with chashu, wood ear mushrooms, green onions, and seaweed. There are condiments like spicy pickled mustard greens and pickled ginger on the table, but they're not necessary. If anything, adding garlic is just right. The bowl is also nicely warmed, leaving a good impression. Truly deserving of the title of Kitakyushu's No.1. The service is excellent as well, going beyond the usual energetic greeting to include a level of polite service that is a cut above. In addition to the main branch, Ishida has branches in Moji, Wakamatsu Takasu, Hakata, Tagawa, and Osaka, with plans to expand overseas and into Kyushu and the Chugoku region in the future. Thank you for the meal.

Finally made it (^.^) I arrived just after the evening session started, and about half of the seats were already taken. Luckily, I was seated at an open table and felt relieved. The young girls in the hall, even though they were still in training, provided excellent service. You can immediately tell the high level of education in this restaurant ☆★ I felt that other restaurants should also focus on things other than just taste. The rich ramen was 800 yen. The slightly glossy soup with just the right amount of viscosity had the strongest umami flavor and no hint of any off-putting smell. The soup was so delicious that the salt content was kept to a minimum, and I almost finished it all (lol) It's been a while since I had such a high-purity umami soup like this (^.^) I ordered the noodles firm, and they were tasty but slightly on the firmer side. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to noodles. In this day and age, 800 yen for this quality is cheap! Considering the popularity of the restaurant, the layout, and the turnover rate, it's understandable. It may not be the most relaxing space for a leisurely meal, but it could also be seen as part of the charm of a ramen restaurant (^.^) Thank you for the meal (●´ω｀●) I have visited several branches of Ishida Ichiryu, and there is no doubt that the taste is number one.

Despite being close to my parents' house, I had never visited this ramen shop until now. Finally, I decided to give it a try. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon around 2:00 pm, and the shop was packed. I wrote my name down and purchased a meal ticket, then waited for about 10 minutes before being seated. The interior of the shop was decorated with trophies from ramen competitions and autographs from celebrities. I ordered the rich ramen, the light street stall ramen, and a mini fried rice. The food arrived quickly, with the ramen coming in 3 minutes and the fried rice in 5 minutes. The rich ramen had a slightly thick soup, full of umami flavor. The street stall ramen had a lighter broth but still had a good depth of flavor. Both were delicious and the noodles had a nice chewiness. The standout was the char siu, with a nice charred flavor that complemented the dish well. The green onions and wood ear mushrooms added a nice touch. I decided to add some extra spicy powder halfway through, which was complimentary and added a nice kick to the dish. The fried rice was flavorful and packed with ingredients, making it a satisfying dish on its own. The atmosphere of the shop was lively, with festival music playing and energetic staff. Overall, the shop had a good vibe and the food was delicious and suitable for anyone. I felt the strength of this ramen shop's nationwide reputation. Thank you for the meal!

The best ramen in Kitakyushu. Be prepared to wait in line but it's worth it. I visited during Golden Week and was able to get in without waiting long as they have a fast turnover. However, finding parking was a bit of a struggle. The soup is rich but light, and I finished it all. I will definitely go back.

Visited alone during Golden Week. Even though it was only 11:03, there were already 10 people waiting. While waiting, I could smell the scent of cigarettes, maybe because of the wood... The restaurant was lively. Got the rich ramen for 800 yen and added a fried rice set for 400 yen. Thank you for the meal.

I visited during the GW period at lunchtime. The parking lot was full with several groups waiting. I wrote my name down and then purchased my meal ticket before waiting. I ordered the rich ramen and fried rice. The ramen was served in a bowl that had been warmed in a kettle to keep it from getting cold. Even after I finished the soup, steam was still rising from the bowl. It was the first time I had seen a bowl warmed up to that extent. All the staff members were energetic and constantly keeping an eye on the customers, asking if they wanted extra noodles before the order was even placed. The ramen was delicious, but the fried rice was my favorite with its crispy texture. I immediately regretted not ordering the large size.

It's been a while since I last visited. I was craving that rich soup, so I decided to come back. I had the rich ramen (extra firm) with an extra serving of noodles (I prefer them extra firm), 8 dumplings - delicious, but a bit too rich for me, I could only eat 2. My partner finished the rest. Fried rice - average. Beer - a bit salty after not having it for a while. Thank you for the meal.

I visited the champion of the Kitakyushu Ramen Championship 2023, Ishida Ichiryu, for the first time in a while. Recently, there was a TV special about the festival of Kitakyushu Ramen, and it seems to have been quite exciting. Among the participants, the retired Kanadaya from Yamakawa, who was always a strong contender, was absent, leading to Ishida Ichiryu's victory. Today, I decided to try their light street stall ramen (800 yen). The red bowl looks impressive! It somehow increases my appetite. First, I tried the soup. It was delicious! The smoothness made me want to drink it all up. The noodles are not the usual medium-thick type but rather the Kurume Ramen style thin noodles. The balance between the noodles and the soup was very good, and I ended up really liking it. Should I order an extra serving of noodles (150 yen)? It came quickly, but wait, what? Thin noodles? Do they not offer medium-thick noodles for extra servings? It was a bit disappointing, and I left without taking a photo. Overall, it was a satisfying meal. Thank you!

A renowned ramen shop that has won the title of the Ramen Champion in Kitakyushu multiple times. I have been stationed in Kitakyushu for a year now, and I finally had the chance to visit the main shop! I arrived a little after 11 am, and the restaurant was bustling with energy, with customers coming in one after another. The parking lot quickly filled up as well. I was unsure of what to order, as I have been gaining weight recently... After some deliberation, I decided to go with the classic rich ramen as a single order. I noticed that many people were ordering their ramen without wood ear mushrooms, and there seemed to be a set menu available. I slightly regretted not choosing the set option. Rice is my standard side dish with ramen. The ramen arrived promptly, and the pork bone soup had a delightful aroma. The creamy soup had a hint of sweetness to it. The thin noodles were just the right amount for me to enjoy each bite. I finished it in no time and succumbed to the temptation of ordering an extra serving of noodles. I enjoyed changing the flavor with garlic chips and pickled ginger. The service was excellent, and the delicious ramen made me understand why this place is so popular! Being able to enjoy authentic tonkotsu ramen, which is hard to find in Kanto, is one of the benefits of being transferred here. And all this for only 950 yen, it's a great deal! I will definitely be back! Thank you for the meal!

Ogura's Tonkotsu Ramen in Ogura Minami-ku, Ishida area. I am not familiar with this area, but it is a very popular restaurant. The rich tonkotsu ramen costs 800 yen. This was my first time trying it, so I got the noodles cooked normally. The soup had a slightly powdery texture, but the pork bone smell was not very strong. Personally, it was not to my liking, but it seems to have many fans.

Today, I visited this restaurant. It was 2:00 PM for lunch. It looks like they are renovating the exterior walls outside. I ordered the rich ramen for 800 yen and the mini fried rice for 430 yen. I thought it was a bit expensive, but as I was thinking that, the food arrived. [Tasting] The rich ramen was delicious. As always, it was delicious. The soup was tasty. I couldn't stop eating, it was so good. The mini fried rice was also delicious. I thought it was expensive, but it was worth it. It had plenty of ingredients and was fluffy. The portion was also generous. I couldn't stop eating this either, haha. The staff were all friendly and energetic. They seemed to be enjoying their work. I ate so quickly that I didn't have time to look around. [Summary] The food was so delicious that I understand why it was a bit pricey. Thank you for the meal. I will definitely visit again.

I visited Mr. Ichiryu Ishida in Kokura Minami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture! I arrived at 11:10, but it was already full. You buy a meal ticket at the ticket machine at the entrance before being seated. I ordered the rich ramen for 800 yen. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very lively! After a while, the bowl arrived, and it looked great. The noodles were thin, the soup was not too heavy but rich tonkotsu soup, and the toppings were chashu, wood ear mushrooms, green onions, and seaweed. It was a delicious bowl, as expected from a ramen shop thriving in Kitakyushu! Next time, I want to try the street stall ramen. There is a parking lot in front of the store, so if you are nearby, please stop by! (^-^)

・Stall Wan Tan Noodles ¥950 I was in front of the ticket machine, debating between the rich ramen and the stall ramen. Two young people behind me were asked which one is better. They both said they prefer the stall ramen. I'm grateful to the regular customers. When the ramen was served, I was told that the bowl was hot, but I didn't take it seriously. It was really hot! The staff who can carry this are amazing! When customers ordered, half of them preferred the noodles to be firm and half preferred them to be slightly firm.

This place is adorned with flowers everywhere. It's a lively and bustling ramen shop. The ordering process involves writing your name on a notebook outside, waiting, entering when called, handing over your ticket, and specifying the firmness of the noodles. If you don't do the first two steps, you'll never get your turn! The customers are a mix of families and men coming back from baseball. I think I waited for about 15 minutes. The service was quick and attentive, with a nice touch like refilling tissues. The menu offers rich or street stall ramen, and you can get extra noodles. There are a few parking spots in front of the shop, but they are often full. I had the street stall ramen for ¥780, it was rich but easy to eat and delicious. I wished I could have ordered an extra serving.

After passing through the noren curtain and entering the shop, you are greeted with a lot of energy! The explanation of the ramen at the ticket machine is very polite, and I think the customer service at this shop is excellent. The staff members move quickly and the atmosphere inside the shop is lively. Today, I had the Rich Chashu Wonton Noodles. It wasn't extremely rich, but the balance of the thin noodles and soup was just right and quite delicious! Also, I traveled from Kokura by monorail, got off at Keibajo-mae, and walked to the shop with three breaks along the way, taking about 30 minutes in total. Thank you for the meal.

On January 11, 2023 (Wednesday), I had lunch with my partner. We headed to a restaurant that we missed during our break yesterday, and it felt like déjà vu on the way there. We arrived at the "Ishida Ichiryu Main Store" around 1:30 PM. The parking lot was full, but luckily a spot opened up just as we arrived. We bought our tickets from the machine and the ramen was served promptly. The ramen was light and easy to drink, with a delicious soup. The rich ramen with chashu was indeed rich, but not overpowering, similar to Tenkaippin's style. The chashu had a slightly strong salty flavor, but it was delicious and easy to eat. The stir-fried rice was also delicious, with eggs, minced kamaboko, and pork. The fried rice was fluffy and flavorful. The gyoza was hot and tasty. The service was efficient and the cleanliness of the restaurant was great. The speed of service was impressive. We will definitely come back here again. Thank you for the delicious meal.