I tried to take a business relation to a Chinese restaurant, but there was already a long line so we gave up. While driving on the highway, we looked for a place to have lunch and ended up at this restaurant. The spacious parking lot was convenient. When we looked at the menu, we were surprised to see that a bowl of ramen cost over 1,300 yen. I hadn't been to Ichiran recently, but is this the price at all Ichiran locations? I ordered the Akadama ramen and gyoza. The taste was quite ordinary. The pickled ginger seemed to be limited to one serving per person as a precaution. I think unless it's for entertaining purposes, I wouldn't go again as there are delicious ramen options for under 1,000 yen.

I also went to Ichiran the day before, following it up with a visit to Ippudo. Ippudo is a restaurant I often go to in Tokyo. - Ajitama (seasoned boiled egg) topping: The Ajitama had the usual good taste, but I felt that the richness of the broth at Ichiran the day before was better. [Disappointing Points] - The always delicious topping of takana (pickled mustard greens) was missing. Even though I didn't see any locals ask the staff about it, I gave up. This was quite disappointing. Also, there was no beni shoga (pickled ginger) either. I used to love the taste of the soup getting super spicy at the end with takana and beni shoga, so my excitement level dropped significantly. There was moyashi (bean sprouts) available, so I ended up consuming a lot of it... Sorry about that. From now on, I look forward to enjoying Ippudo in Tokyo.

Visitors from Tokyo and Osaka were surprised to find the restaurant not crowded despite their expectations. The Shiro Maru Genmai ramen for 820 yen was delicious! Their impression of the restaurant completely changed. Adding spicy moyashi (bean sprouts) halfway through made it even more delicious. They wondered why such a delicious place wasn't more crowded - was it the location or the cost?

I tried the limited edition "Hakata Chinese Soba" at Ippudo Yamawo store. It is a rare soy sauce flavored ramen at Ippudo, with a rich chicken broth and refreshing chopped yuzu citrus. The seasoned egg was also delicious. I will definitely visit again.

I had lunch near Ohori Park in Hakata, so I decided to go to Ichiran. Depending on the weather, the area around the street in front of the restaurant is filled with the smell of Ichiran, so I had been curious about it for a while. When I entered the restaurant, I looked at the menu but without hesitation, I ordered the red mark. The first time I went to Ichiran was in Sendai, and it was always recommended as a great place to finish off drinking, so it's been a while since I last went. It arrived in about 5 minutes. The taste of the soup and noodles remains the same and nostalgic. Whenever I order an extra serving, I always think that the extra serving has more noodles, but perhaps that's just my imagination.

One of my favorite places is Ichifudo's Yamasho branch. The lunch may not be the most cost-effective, but the atmosphere is great! I really liked it! It's a bit far from both my company and home, so I can't come often, but if I have the chance, I'll definitely come back! Today, I had the B set meal. It came with ramen and half fried rice! It was just under 1,000 yen, so I added an extra serving of noodles (^_^;) The staff were energetic and the atmosphere was nice! It was a great find even though I was in a rush. The ramen was delicious, even though it had been a while since I had it. The fried rice was a bit heavy on the seasoning, but that's just right for midsummer! With the extra noodles, I ended up with a satisfying meal. If only it were closer! Thank you for the meal.

Let's go, let's go, let's go~! It's the end of the year!! Let me introduce you to the "Hakata Ippudo Yamasho Store," which I visited for the first time. I was thinking of eating the shio ramen, but when I saw the words "Chuka Soba," I was intrigued. So, I decided to order the "Special Hakata Chuka Soba"~ The presentation is luxurious, with 4 slices of chashu, large sheets of nori, and a perfectly round egg. The toppings are complete with menma, white negi, and something yellow from the menu list. Maybe it's sunk in the soup? And there's something white floating, could it be lard? Now, let's dig in before I get scolded by my wife for being late! The soup has a punch of soy sauce and a hint of sweetness, maybe yuzu? The combination of soy sauce punch and sweetness from the lard gives it a rich flavor. The yuzu adds a refreshing touch to the aftertaste. It might be a triple combo of flavors, which could be overwhelming for some, but I found it addictive. The noodles are the usual thin Hakata style, perfectly coated in the flavorful soup. The chashu, both belly and lean, are satisfying to eat. The belly is fatty and tender, while the lean is firm and chewy. I enjoyed wrapping the lean chashu around the noodles to savor the flavors. The menma adds a crunchy texture and enhances the soup's flavor when dipped in it. Overall, the Special Chuka Soba was a delightful and satisfying meal, perfect for welcoming the new year with a full stomach and a refreshed mind. Let's continue to follow infection prevention measures in the new year. Wishing everyone a year filled with enjoyable gourmet experiences in Reiwa 4.

After watching fried rice on TV, I was in the mood for it! Although I have an Ippudo nearby, I don't remember if they have fried rice on the menu... Oh well, I decided to go to Ippudo after a long time! I visited around 1 pm on a holiday, and there was a wait of about 3 groups... The restaurant can seat around 40 people, with counter seats and tatami seating available. It was still busy as usual! While waiting, I looked at the menu and realized that the half fried rice is only available on weekdays... Would it be okay to just order the fried rice with ramen as a set on a holiday...? But I was really in the mood for fried rice... so I decided to just order the fried rice for now! It's rare to go to a ramen restaurant and not order ramen... - Hakata Fried Rice (650 yen) Despite the crowd, my order arrived within 10 minutes. The fried rice was beautifully presented in a dome shape with a good variety of ingredients. It had a nice balance of grease, and the simple seasoning with salt and pepper was delicious! The ingredients included roasted pork, egg, onion, green onion, and fish cake. It was tasty, but personally, I prefer the fried rice at Ikko-Sha... their crunchy texture of the onion is what I really like... The amount was surprisingly manageable, so I decided to add ramen! - Extreme Spicy Ramen (890 yen) You can choose between regular and extra spicy levels of spiciness! I ordered the noodles to be extra firm. "Extreme Spicy Ramen" has evolved over time, with a description stating that it combines a silky tonkotsu soup with homemade chili oil and sesame oil for added spiciness and richness, along with several spices, meat miso, and seasoned tempura bits as toppings. It also comes with sesame paste that can be added to change the flavor to tantanmen style. The ramen arrived in about 5 minutes. The spiciness seemed to be more intense than before... It had a curry-like spiciness and the kick of chili peppers... it was so spicy that I almost choked... Did they increase the spiciness? The tonkotsu flavor seemed a bit diluted... maybe they focused too much on the spiciness? Even when I tried to change the flavor with the sesame paste, the spiciness still dominated... It felt more like "Extreme Spicy Ramen" rather than tantanmen style! Hmm, I think I preferred the previous version of the ramen... I realized that I haven't had the White Maru or Red Maru in a while... I've been trying the limited-time miso Red Maru or store-specific options lately, so maybe I'll try them next time... I hope the taste hasn't changed...

When running along Kiyomi Street in Hakata Ward, I was drawn to the sign outside Ichiran, which reads "Chinese soba, limited to the Yamasho store." The soup is a clear and refreshing chicken broth with a soy sauce base. The aftertaste has a refreshing citrusy yuzu aroma. The thin noodles have a good texture. The chashu consists of two slices of pork shoulder and belly, with an added egg. Hakata ramen has been expanding its variety with soy sauce and seafood flavors, making it enjoyable. The parking lot is conveniently located right next to the restaurant, with space for about 10 cars. The restaurant is open every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., making it easy to visit. I ate a single item this time, but I would like to try a set next time.

About a 10-minute walk from Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line/Higashi-Hie Station, there is "Hakata Ippudo Sanno Ten." Hakata Ippudo and Hakata Ichiran are the pioneers who spread Hakata tonkotsu ramen throughout the country. Hakata Ippudo has become quite popular nationwide and is actively expanding overseas. In the past five years or so, the taste of the restaurants in Fukuoka and its surroundings seems to have been changing. The richness and depth of the tonkotsu broth have completely disappeared, leaving a soup that seems to have been balanced with seasonings and garlic. Hakata Ippudo started expanding to the Kanto region about 20 years ago. By providing a taste that eliminates the negative aspects of tonkotsu broth and appeals to people in Kanto, they have become popular. With the popularity in Kanto, the chain expanded nationwide, attracting visitors from outside Fukuoka to come to the original Hakata Ippudo. As the chain expanded overseas, there was a ramen boom, and many tourists from Korea and China started visiting Fukuoka. Chinese tourists started visiting Hakata Ippudo and Hakata Ichiran in tour buses. As a result, the taste of Hakata Ippudo in Fukuoka and its surroundings changed to cater to visitors from outside the prefecture and overseas. The taste has become completely different from the original, becoming a Hakata Ippudo "style" ramen. Local fans and customers who have been loyal to Hakata Ippudo for a long time have started to leave. In the past 1-2 years, the impact of the coronavirus has led to a sharp decline in visitors from outside the prefecture and overseas. Currently, all stores seem to be quiet, even during lunchtime on weekdays, with only about half of the usual customers. Before the taste changed, the restaurants were always full of local customers during lunchtime. Is the owner really thinking that this taste is truly delicious as a chef? Mr. Kawahara... If you know someone from Fukuoka Prefecture, ask them, "Do you eat ramen at Ippudo or Ichiran in Fukuoka?" Most people from Fukuoka will say, "I don't go to Ippudo or Ichiran in Fukuoka. There are plenty of other delicious ramen shops here." Thank you for the meal today!

■ Overall impression Recently, I tend to avoid posting multiple reviews of the same menu on food review websites, so even though I visit many restaurants, there are still quite a few with few reviews. However, I do plan to make exceptions and post reviews if the taste has changed or if the presentation has improved, like in this case. ■ Bean Sprout Namul I completely forgot to take a photo before devouring this dish. My junior colleague loves this dish so much that they bought the sauce to enjoy it at home. I was surprised to find out that you can even buy it on Amazon. ■ Red Circle Surprisingly, the last time I had this was 6 years ago. I feel like it tasted better back then for some reason. I think the onions had a better flavor. Nonetheless, it was still delicious. ■ Fried Rice This dish ends up costing over 1000 yen, but it's so tasty. It's a tough choice between getting an extra serving of noodles or ordering the fried rice. Both are high in carbs, so I'll end up gaining weight, but it was a satisfying meal.

Founded in 1985 in Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, this global brand specializes in tonkotsu ramen. The restaurant is clean, the staff is polite, and the overall atmosphere is delightful. This time, I ordered the store-exclusive "Hakata Chinese Soba" for 690 yen. It is a revival of the "Edo-style Shoyu Ramen" that was originally served at the main store of Ichiran. This particular ramen can only be found at the Yamao store in Kyushu. The clear amber-colored soup is rich in chicken flavor with a hint of yuzu fragrance, which is lovely. The thin noodles with a firm texture made by Ichiran are also excellent. The chashu topping consists of two types of meat, lean and fatty, offering a double delight of rich flavor and meatiness. The quality of the chashu is top-notch, as expected from Ichiran. Thank you for the meal. Additionally, I heard that the winter limited "Charred Miso" at Shibahara Honpo near Nishitetsu Ohashi Station will end sales around the end of February this year.

Probably been about 4-5 years since I last came here. It's been a while. Last time was also at this Yamate branch (^_^) I arrived just before lunchtime, so I was able to enter without waiting in line. But when I looked back at the entrance, there were several people waiting (@_@) Just made it in time, it seems. It's been a few years, but it looks just like before! I ordered the Shiro Maru Original Ramen with fried rice set. Now that I'm uploading the photos, I noticed that the Gyoza Rice Set seems like a better deal (^_^;) Oh well, can't be helped (laughs). The food arrived in about 7-8 minutes. Surprisingly, it takes some time, huh (^o^;) First, I'll have the ramen that arrived first. But first, I'll grind the sesame seeds. This one has wood ear mushrooms in it. I've been liking them lately (^^ゞ Took a bite of the noodles! I ordered them extra firm, but they're more like in between firm and regular? A bit disappointing. Are these low hydration noodles? They seem to stretch a bit quickly...(^_^;) Well, I don't really understand that, but (≧∀≦*)ﾉ〃 The fried rice looks great! And the taste is just to my liking! Delicious! When I was young, I would only order ramen when having ramen (with extra noodles or a noodle refill), but lately I sometimes feel like having fried rice! I've been ordering plain rice more often too, and my ordering patterns are changing with age! But has the amount I eat changed or increased? (laughs) Thank you for the meal ===========

Today I visited Hakata Yamakami in Fukuoka. I went to Hakata Ippudo Yamakami store. I ordered the limited ramen, Hakata Chuka Soba for 690 yen (excluding tax), and a bottle of beer. As expected from Ippudo, they have a well-prepared limited ramen at each store, and it was delicious. It is a clear chicken broth, not the usual tonkotsu broth from Ippudo, but the thin noodles paired with it were also delicious. The soup has a layer of pork fat, a deep umami flavor with a balanced soy sauce base, a hint of yuzu, and a refreshing taste. The noodles were thin and firm, providing a light and enjoyable texture. The chashu consisted of two slices, one with more fat and one with less, both of high quality. Overall, it was a flawless bowl of ramen. The combination of these thin noodles and the soup was exactly to my liking, and I was very satisfied. According to Ippudo's website, this ramen is a revival of the "Edo-style Shoyu Ramen" that was originally served at the Ippudo Honten store in Fukuoka. It's impressive how Ippudo continues to excel in Hakata-style ramen. Despite having many branches, the quality remains consistently high at every store. It may seem obvious, but it's quite an achievement, and I believe there must be a reason why their popularity never fades. With their large scale, I can imagine the challenges they face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I hope they continue to thrive. Well, thank you for the delicious meal today. My heartfelt condolences to those affected by the heavy rainfall disasters in Kyushu. And my thoughts go out to those who have contracted the novel coronavirus and those whose lives have been impacted by the spread of the virus.

During dinner time, while strolling without a specific food in mind, I happened to pass by a shop with the words "limited edition" on display. As a man weak to limited editions, I had no choice but to go in. The interior had a spacious layout with a counter and tables, and there was ample space between each seat for COVID-19 precautions. I quickly ordered the limited edition menu at the Yamao shop: - Hakata Chinese Soba (759 yen) - Draft Beer (550 yen) The spicy bean sprouts were served on a plate, and although I wanted to eat a lot as a snack, I restrained myself. The beer mug seemed a bit smaller than usual. Now, the ramen has arrived! The soup had a strong soy sauce color, with a crisp soy sauce taste and plenty of chicken broth umami. It had a refreshing citrus peel floating on top, giving it a light impression. I could also sense a hint of bonito flavor. The soup was rich in umami. The noodles were the same thin noodles as usual, and I ordered them extra firm. Although I thought maybe medium noodles would be better, this was good as it was. The noodles had a firm texture and a good throat feel, matching well with the light soup. The toppings included chashu, boiled egg, menma, naruto, and seaweed - a classic Chinese soba lineup. Finally, I finished the soup as well. As expected of "Ippudo," the level of the Chinese soba was very high, just like their tonkotsu ramen. It was a delicious meal!

I stopped by around 7 pm on a weekday. The restaurant has a covered parking lot with plenty of space. I'm not sure about weekends or during the day, but it's always empty in the evenings on weekdays. It's my first time visiting the Yamasho branch, but I know the area because it's on my way home. I haven't been to Ichiran recently, so I'm not familiar with the whole menu, but it seems like there are only a few places that serve soy sauce ramen. I remember seeing it on the menu at the original Daimyo branch before they moved, but it's also available here. They used to serve soy sauce ramen at the original branch, but I don't remember that (I used to go to Ichiran all the time when they first opened). The soy sauce ramen here is quite delicious, with a slightly sweet taste typical of Hakata style. The noodles are intentionally Hakata style, but it would be nice if they offered a different type of noodles as well. When the restaurant is empty, the taste seems to diminish somehow...

Stopped by this shop on the way. Tried their exclusive Hakata-style Chinese noodles. It's a soy sauce ramen with a base of dried sardine broth, topped with pork fat and yuzu as an accent. The noodles are thin and straight, typical of Hakata-style. It's as good as the name suggests, with a nice balance of flavors. The yuzu is a nice touch. Thank you for the meal!

I went to the Hakata Ippudo Yamawo branch to try their limited edition Chinese ramen. I always have high expectations for Ippudo's limited noodles, so I ordered it with anticipation. The Hakata Chinese ramen that arrived had a beautiful soy sauce color. When I tasted the soup, it was salty! Perhaps the umami and dashi are sufficient, but they are overshadowed by the strong soy sauce flavor. The sign at the store advertised it as light and easy to eat, but the soy sauce intensity may not be recommended for the elderly or children. It might be good to pair it with rice. The noodles seemed to be the same as the tonkotsu ones, firm Hakata noodles. This could be just a one-time issue, so I would like to come back and try it again if I have the chance.

I came to eat ramen at Ichiran for the first time in 18 years! However, the ramen is expensive, haha. I ordered the B set with Shiramari Motoaji ramen and half fried rice for 870 yen with extra firm noodles. The food was served almost at the same time. I took a sip of the soup and it was delicious, definitely worth the price! The default ramen came with green onions, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, and two thick slices of chashu. The half fried rice was moist and melted in my mouth nicely, and the spicy bean sprouts were also delicious when added to the ramen. I also bought the hot bean sprout sauce for 400 yen as a souvenir on my way home. If the B set was 100 yen cheaper, I would have easily given it a 3.5 rating, haha. Thank you for the meal!

I had a business trip to Fukuoka, so I went to Ichiran. I used to think that Ichiran's original taste, the Shiramaru Motoaji, which was once boasted at the Daimyo Main Store, was not very delicious and personally gave it the lowest rating. This time, I chose the Akamaru Shinaji (820 yen) because I thought it might be tastier based on the appearance of the menu. During lunchtime, there was a lunch set available, and I ordered the B set where you could add a half portion of fried rice for an additional 150 yen. Although it is ramen, choosing the Akamaru Shinaji instead of the Shiramaru Motoaji was a great decision. The combination of tonkotsu soup, fragrant oil, and slightly spicy miso is quite good. When you glance at the menu photo, you might mistakenly think that there are pickled plums in it, but it's actually spicy miso. The soup seemed to be one of the best among the ramen I have ever eaten. I think thick noodles would be better than thin noodles for a soup with a rich flavor... that's the only downside. The chashu was also delicious. The set's fried rice was like a regular fried rice you would find at a ramen shop, with plenty of onions. It's quite a good deal for an additional 150 yen, but the ramen itself is a bit expensive. Because the soup of the Akamaru Shinaji this time was quite delicious, my personal evaluation of Ichiran has slightly improved. If I have the chance, I might try something else there again.