Thank you for always viewing my page ✨ If you enjoyed it, please try bookmarking the restaurant by clicking the "Save Shop" button. This restaurant is located in Ogon, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It seems to have closed in July 2021 with a rating of 3.65 on Tabelog. Those who loved the restaurant were taught the recipes by the founder and, through crowdfunding and the help of many people, it seems to have been revived. On the opening day, the entertainer Riki Takeuchi visited the shop and there was an event, which I saw on Instagram and got interested, so I decided to go check it out. I don't like waiting in line, so I went at 2 pm, but... there were 9 people ahead of me! Since it's a ramen shop, the turnover rate is high, so I didn't have to wait long to get in. I chose the following items from the ticket machine: - Wonton Men 950 yen - Pink Bamboo Shoot 100 yen. Toyoken is known for its pink bamboo shoots, which are a characteristic feature, so I added them as a topping. I chose the Wonton Men because I saw that the wontons were delicious. The meat inside the wonton was extremely small, and the smooth skin was delicious. When you pick it up with chopsticks, it stretches like mochi and is delicious. The noodles are medium-thick and straight, and it seems that you can't choose the firmness of the noodles, as the person who ordered "firm noodles" was told that you can't choose the firmness. Is this medium-thick straight noodle trend popular these days? It's delicious. The soup is a perfect balance between rich and refreshing, and it's delicious. When you eat the pink bamboo shoots alone, they don't taste like anything, just like boiled bamboo shoots. But when you put them in the soup... it's a mysterious bamboo shoot that is delicious along with its texture. Finally, I added all the pink bamboo shoot toppings for a flavor change and finished the soup. The noren (curtain) says "Original Kurume Ramen, a superb Kokura specialty," but I think it's okay to call it Kitakyushu Ramen or Kokura Ramen. This is a highly recommended shop for super delicious tonkotsu ramen. Thank you very much for reading until the end ✨ If you leave a comment, I will reply to it. I hope this information on gourmet food can be helpful to you even a little bit. ▽ I also update my Instagram. Hide Gourmand【@hide06_21】

Sometimes when I go to Kokura, there is a ramen that I really want to eat, but a few years ago, unfortunately, due to various circumstances, it closed down! I used to frequent this place a lot during my student days, so I was really disappointed. However, earlier this year, I heard that Toyoken had made a comeback in the same location where the previous restaurant was, so I finally had the opportunity to visit. I arrived late that day while staying in Kokura, just in time before closing, barely making it! The staff seemed to be preparing to close, but they kindly served me as their last customer. I bought a meal ticket from the ticket machine on the left at the entrance, waited for about 10 minutes, and then my bowl arrived! I ordered the chashu ramen with onigiri. First, I tried the onigiri... It was firm and tightly packed, just like it used to be, bringing back nostalgic memories. And the chashu ramen, with its light yet rich flavor, was exactly as I remembered it. The noodles seemed slightly thicker, but it could just be my memory playing tricks on me. The soup was not overly rich, and the famous pink bamboo shoots were still there! I was able to enjoy the Toyoken ramen that I had been longing to eat again, and I left completely satisfied. The current owner here doesn't seem to be related to the founder's family, but he learned from the previous owner. However, I used to visit the place over 30 years ago, during the time of the owner before last, so when they mentioned the "previous owner," it didn't quite click for me. Time flies by so quickly... This ramen holds a special place in my heart, and even though it may be idealized in my mind, it's my go-to soul food whenever I visit Kokura.

I visited around 12 o'clock on a holiday. There was no line outside, but there were constantly customers coming in. There were table seats too, so it seems easy for families to go! Even as a woman, I was able to finish the large portion easily because the soup was light and delicious! I want to go again!

I visited a ramen shop for the first time since the owner and location changed. I had ramen for 800 yen and two rice balls, but I forgot the price. I didn't realize that the pickled ginger was already in the ramen and added more. The noodles were slightly thicker than before and they mixed well with the soup, which was delicious. When I posted a video on social media, I received comments saying, "I didn't know you took over the shop!" I hope more people will come to know about this place. Thank you for the meal!

I was introduced to the old Toyo Ken by someone who knew it. I had high expectations because it was said to be a delicious famous restaurant, but the char siu was dry and not to my liking, and the taste was not exceptionally delicious. It was disappointing that they didn't offer extra noodles. Perhaps because of the pink bamboo shoots, the broth turns pink when left for a while, which might surprise those who eat slowly. The staff seemed careless, drinking juice and chatting in plain sight, handling their phones. There were many points to improve for the price, and I was very disappointed considering my high expectations.

I had the opportunity to go to Kokura, so I tried eating at Toyo Ken! It was light but very delicious! I usually don't like ramen with pickled ginger on top, but I could eat this one! If you like light ramen, definitely give it a try! There is a coin parking lot next door that offers free parking for the first hour.

For lunch today, I decided to try a new place instead of my usual spots like "Sanzan Udon" or "Kairyu Kokura Main Store". I went to "Toyoken Kokura Store", which reopened in January this year. Established in 1962, Toyoken is a famous restaurant in Fukuoka that serves the original Kurume ramen loved by locals. The store unexpectedly closed in June 2019, but thanks to the efforts of a loyal customer named Shingo Takeda, who has been a fan of Toyoken for 37 years, the restaurant was able to reopen through crowdfunding. I visited the store and tried their signature "Kossari" ramen, which combines rich and light flavors. The ramen was delicious, and I especially liked the unique topping of pink bamboo shoots in the center. Overall, it was a great experience trying out Toyoken's ramen at their new location in Kokura.

I visited the revived Toyo Ken restaurant. Opinions may vary, but I personally think the taste is different from before. However, it is still delicious. If you really want to chase the taste of Toyo Ken, you can always try other restaurants that branched off from it.

Today it was raining, and I had to go quite a distance. Thinking of a quick lunch, I headed to the popular East Asian Noodle restaurant on the way. I had never tried the original store when I first came to Kitakyushu, as it had already closed down. However, I had heard many people lamenting its closure and celebrating its revival. With high expectations, I finally entered the restaurant. I ordered the Wonton Ramen (950 yen) and a rice ball (100 yen). The first surprise was how quickly the food was served - within 2-3 minutes! The wontons were not like the typical dumplings found in Kitakyushu, and the soup was creamy and delicious. I understood why there were always long lines and so much excitement surrounding this place. Although I wished it was a bit cheaper, I felt that it was worth the price.

Fukuoka Prefecture, Kitakyushu City, Kokurakita-ku, Ogon 1-3-25, Toyo Ken Kokura Store Ramen for 800 yen The original Toyo Ken closed in 2022, and a new Toyo Ken opened with a different owner. When you take a sip of the soup, it tastes just like the original, rich and with a good oiliness that is easy to drink. The noodles are medium thickness, slightly on the thicker side, and pinkish in color. They go well with the soup, which has a strong salty flavor. Among the Toyo Ken style ramen, this one has a relatively strong salty taste. The soup has less saltiness on the surface layer, making it easier to drink compared to the original that had a strong salty flavor. If you like a strong salty and rich flavor, this ramen is highly recommended as the tonkotsu broth itself is also rich.

Wonton ramen for 950 yen. I arrived at 11:40. There wasn't a line, but the restaurant was quite busy with every seat taken. I had to share a table, which I'm not a fan of. I didn't really want the wontons, but since it's Toyoken, I reluctantly pressed the button for wonton ramen on the ticket machine. The noodles were quite thick. They could be considered medium-thick. I didn't specify the firmness, but they were slightly firm. I think they would be better a bit softer. The soup had a slight thickness to it, but was still light in flavor. The pork bone flavor and richness were on the low side. And yet, it had a pork bone smell to it. The wontons were unnecessary. I had been to Toyoken once before about two years ago, but I don't remember much about it, so I left wondering if it was always like this. The water was cold and tasted good. I had five cups.

Resurrection made the news and there were long lines when it first opened, but it seemed pretty empty recently so I decided to check it out. They said they spent a few months training to bring back the taste, but when I tried it, it felt like a different ramen. The noodles were similar, and the chashu slices were just like the ones from Toyo Ken (a bit thick though), but the soup felt completely different from the Toyo Ken I've been eating since I was a kid. The oil film was different and the soup lacked the punch and charm I was used to. Honestly, it felt like just another average ramen from Kokura, and it didn't live up to the old Toyo Ken standard in my opinion. Judging by the number of customers, it's clearly losing to the nearby Chinese chain restaurants. If it had a different name, I wouldn't mind, but claiming to be Toyo Ken just didn't sit right with me. If they had said they made a ramen with a Toyo Ken flavor, but modernized it, that might have made more sense. It may be good enough for a regular ramen shop, but as a Kokura specialty, Toyo Ken, it left me feeling unsatisfied.

I came from Oita to Kokura. From Kokura Station, I took the monorail and got off at Kashikoumiyahagi-no, 3 stops away. It was a legendary popular shop, but it closed due to old age. However, fans of the shop reopened it in January this year through training and crowdfunding. I had never eaten at the original shop, so I can't compare, but the reopening caused quite a commotion (long lines). I entered and ordered ramen (800 yen) and onigiri (100 yen) at the ticket machine near the entrance. I handed it to the staff and sat down. The staff's movements were quick and sharp, which was pleasant. After about 3 minutes, the ramen arrived. First, the soup... It looked thick, but it wasn't that heavy. It had no unpleasant smell, and the seasoning was just right, making my brain scream "delicious." Next, the noodles... These were not the thin Hakata-style pork bone noodles, but medium-thick noodles. The texture was chewy, not firm, and it paired well with the soup. The toppings included 2 slices of chashu, seaweed, green onions, and a pink bamboo shoot that caught my eye. It had a unique texture like crispy menma and a flavor close to pickled ginger. It felt like a lot of effort went into this topping. The onigiri was freshly made with steam rising from it. I saw the person next to me dip it in the soup, so I followed suit. You can't compare it to the original shop, but I simply think it's a honest and delicious pork bone ramen. Many people ordered extra-large portions or onigiri since there's no option for extra noodles. Before I knew it, I had finished everything! It was delicious! Thank you for the meal! I have summarized it in a short video: https://youtu.be/Z9IIAISgBYY

◉Genre: Ramen, Tonkotsu ◉Area: Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Ougon Ichiba area ◉Access: 5 minutes walk from Kaichu-sangai-sanhagi-no station on the municipal monorail ◉Parking: - ◉Credit card payment: - ◉Number of visits: First time ◉Number of reviews: 1st review On this day, I casually visited "Toyo Ken Kokura Store." ◇Exterior and Interior This ramen shop is located around Ougon Ichiba in Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City. It is a ramen shop with many reviews in Kitakyushu City, and it has a long history. Simply put, it reopened beautifully after closing last year. The details can be found in other reviews. The noren curtain looks new, and the interior is a two-tone of white walls and red tables. The red color seems to have remained the same as before. The interior is non-smoking, with ashtrays available outside. ◇Seating There are 6 counter seats and 4 tables for 4 people each. ◇Menu Structure Ticket vending machine system. The menu consists of basic ramen, wonton, char siu, and a few other items. Toppings are limited, with no option for extra noodles. The items I ordered are as follows: - Ramen (800 yen) → Tax included. I had to work on Sunday due to some miscellaneous tasks. This is why people might think I have too much free time. I felt like having udon or ramen today, and I actually preferred the former, but the place I wanted to go was closed, so I reluctantly chose the latter. When I arrived at the shop, there was a long line...more than 10 people waiting. "This place must be popular," I thought. I waited in line for 15 minutes...entered and quickly purchased my ticket from the vending machine. Let's start with the soup. I felt a bit of saltiness, which might be related to the richness of the broth. The noodles were not the typical thin noodles but slightly thicker with a three-dimensional texture, suitable for a large serving. The signature pink bamboo shoot was placed in the center. I tend to compare it with the previous version, but as someone who is not a tonkotsu enthusiast, I couldn't accurately tell the difference...but it's a bit different from before, right? (laughs) I added minced garlic and spice halfway through, but maybe the original flavor is better. ◆Strong Points Ramen fans will be delighted by the return of this ramen! ◆Service Average...but I happened to sit near the kitchen, so I could overhear the staff's conversation. ◆Summary I said it was the only one in the title, but maybe that udon shop was more impressive. (laughs) Thank you for the meal!

Hello everyone, what's up? It's MoriP, who loves to eat around Fukuoka! Today, I visited "Toyo Ken," a popular old-fashioned ramen shop that suddenly closed in 2021 after 60 years of operation. The current owner, a fan of Toyo Ken, revived the shop through crowdfunding and reopened it in November 2022. I tried their Wonton Men, which has a light yet rich and distinctive flavor with a delicious soup that is addictively good. The pork bone soup has a nostalgic old-fashioned taste that is gentle and not too overpowering. The medium-thick noodles have a slightly chewy texture that is addictive. The wontons have a nice hint of ginger and a perfect soft texture. The simple but delicious chashu is also worth mentioning. While it may not have the intense pork bone flavor of other Fukuoka ramen shops, it has a nostalgic charm that will appeal to those living in Fukuoka. It's light but addictively good, and it somehow reminds me of "Nagahamaya."

I visited during a less crowded time due to the reopening of Toyo-ken. I arrived around 6:30 pm and the restaurant was about half full, just as I had hoped. The soup was a light pork bone flavor, which I enjoyed. The wontons had a chewy texture and were delicious. The char siu was a bit dry for my taste, but overall it was good. The medium-thick noodles paired well with the soup. You can also enjoy flavor variations with red pickled ginger and chili paste. There are no extra noodle options, so I ordered a large serving from the start, which was just the right amount. The sign boasting about being a famous Kokura specialty was not a lie. It was delicious. I will definitely go back!

This time, I would like to introduce the "Ramen and Onigiri" from Toyo Ken, Kokura Store. The legendary famous shop has finally made a comeback. I was finally able to visit Toyo Ken Kokura Store. Since the evening business of the afternoon part started in March 2023, it has become much easier to visit. However, the new store has a relatively small number of seats, so it's understandable that it gets crowded during lunchtime. Still, the ramen from Toyo Ken makes you want to wait in line and eat it. I felt that the saltiness was a bit strong, but I ended up drinking the soup completely. It's nice to have this once in a while. Shop Name: Toyo Ken, Kokura Store Address: 1-3-25 Kogan, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture Closed: Only on New Year's Day (information from Tabelog) However, when searched on Google, it shows that the store is closed on Wednesdays. I'm not sure which one is correct. Business Hours: 11:30-15:00, 17:00-21:00 (closes when sold out) Contact: 093-932-3333

I tried Eastern Pavilion for the first time since it reopened, and honestly, I wasn't expecting the taste to be the same. But when I took a sip of the soup, that nostalgic flavor was recreated and I was impressed. The char siu was a bit tough, but very delicious. It's a pass. I'm looking forward to coming back to Kokura again.

I heard that it had reopened so I decided to go. It was very close to the taste I remembered! The wontons were soft and the char siu was delicious. I finished the soup thinking that not only myself but many others must be happy about its reopening!

Actually, this time, I had no intention of making it a series of three "Toyo Ken" restaurants at first. When I visited the previous "Toyo Ken Nogata Store," the current "Toyo Ken Kokura Store" had not yet opened. In fact, the "Toyo Ken Kokura Store" is the newest addition, having entered the scene in 2023. As of May, it is the most popular among the three restaurants. The opening ceremony was a big event, with even the V-Cinema emperor, Riki Takeuchi, in attendance. This naturally created a buzz in the neighborhood, and even those who only frequent the elderly-filled Ogonmachi Arcade would have heard of the previous "Toyo Ken" with almost 100% recognition. For ramen enthusiasts like myself, the first place that comes to mind for local ramen would be the previous "Toyo Ken," so it's no surprise that it continues to attract a large number of customers. When I visited, even though it was a weekday and 12 minutes before opening, there was already a line of about 10 people. Upon opening, the restaurant was already full, with myself and a couple behind me being turned away. The interior had counter seats facing the wall for four people, counter seats facing the window for two people, two tables for five people, and one table for four people. There is no dedicated parking lot, but you can park in the nearby shopping street's parking lot under the overpass and get a one-hour parking ticket. Therefore, even if you line up, it should be fine, but don't forget to present your parking ticket as it is a ticket machine system. I purchased the "Wantanmen" from the ticket machine, a signature dish of "Toyo Ken." You can't pass through the curtain until the previous customers have made their purchase, and each customer is invited in one by one by the staff. The entrance and exit are different, so it's a one-way system, so please be careful. The bustling atmosphere inside the restaurant was impressive, but I remained skeptical and kept a cool head, thinking that even if Riki Takeuchi attended the opening ceremony, it's not uncommon for celebrities to attend business events like this. In the end, it all comes down to the taste and how much it follows the footsteps of the previous "Toyo Ken." When I tasted the soup, it was a bit difficult to describe. It had a solid saltiness, not as strong as the "Toyo Ken Orio Store," but instead, it had a depth of flavor. It had a robust pork bone flavor with a weighty feel, and to put it frankly, it was overall delicious. The heavy-duty nature and sharpness that were characteristic of the previous "Toyo Ken" have been successfully reproduced in this new era. What's regrettable is that after the pleasant aftertaste, the saltiness clinging to the lips couldn't be licked off with the tip of the tongue. The noodles, which I didn't specify the firmness of, seemed to have a softness typical of Kurume noodles. However, the noodles at this store had a soft surface but a crisp bite, which felt different from the other two stores. Maybe it was just my imagination? The chashu appeared to have less fat content than expected, and it seemed to disappear momentarily. Overall, the dish was ===========

◆Kitakyushu Ramen Tour⚫︎Toyo-ken Kokura Branch (Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City)Ramen: 800 yen◾︎Food Beast Maro http://instagram.com/menterromaro/https://ameblo.jp/korinai-menmen/