Today is the last day of July, so I went to have a solo lunch in Kurosaki. I found a place called "Karamen Hachiryu Kurosaki" that usually only opens at night, but they were serving lunch today. I decided to try their ramen, but I'm not good with spicy food, so I ordered it with no spice at all. It turned out to be a soy sauce ramen with a lot of noodles, which was a bit unusual but still tasty. I'll challenge myself with spicier ramen next time. Good job to the high school student working hard there.

I found Hachiryu in the shopping street and ordered my usual choice of tomato-based noodles with konjac noodles, level 5 spiciness, regular size. Surprisingly, the taste here is completely different from the Kon'ya-cho branch. This one is lighter, more like the original taste. The Kon'ya-cho branch has more richness and is a bit on the thicker side, which is delicious.

I used this place as a way to end a drinking session late at night. It was convenient that they were open even in the early morning. I ordered the spicy noodles with a level 5 spiciness, and it was very delicious. However, the next day, the smell of garlic lingered until the evening, which was quite tough.

After finishing a meal in Kurosaki, I visited this spicy noodle shop as a way to end the day. I sometimes visit "Karamen Hachiryu" in Kokura and it's one of my favorite places. The shop offers two types of soup, "soy sauce" and "ripe tomato", and I decided to go with tomato that day because I've been lacking vegetables lately. But before that, I wanted to enjoy a little more time while sipping on a drink, so I opted for a highball and some cartilage. The Mega Beam Highball is said to be about twice the size. The cartilage dish consists of 5 pieces of pork cartilage (5cm x 4cm each) with green onions. The sauce is a simple combination of tangy ponzu with chili peppers, but personally I prefer a sauce with more punch like one with garlic. However, considering the volume and quality, 660 yen is quite cost-effective compared to other regular restaurants. (*Half-size is 440 yen) The Ripe Tomato Spicy Noodles in regular size, level 14 spiciness, with konjac noodles and garlic as usual. For toppings, I chose green onions, egg, and cheese for a luxurious customization. The konjac noodles helped reduce the calories, so I went for the regular size, but the bowl provided was larger than I had imagined. The soup was truly tomato-colored and had a rich flavor (even richer than the Kokura shop!?). The acidity and sweetness of the tomato surpassed the spiciness of level 14 and the garlic, but the cheese and fluffy egg toppings balanced it out. If you have room in your stomach, you can order rice and turn it into a tomato cheese risotto style, but I couldn't manage that. Overall, the ripe tomato noodles are rich and make you feel like you're eating vegetables, but overeating is not recommended. The soup itself is quite filling, so with toppings, you might feel quite full before even reaching the noodles. I managed to finish it all, but with the second stop and the volume of cartilage, my stomach was completely full. Spending around 4000 yen at a spicy noodle shop was a bit too much for me. If you're looking to have it as a closing meal, I recommend going for the half-size option. Thank you for the meal. [Today's Orders] *Ripe Tomato Spicy Noodles (Level 10-14) 1150 yen + Green onions 300 yen + Egg 150 yen + Cheese 200 yen *Cartilage 660 yen *Mega Beam Highball 660 yen x 2 (excluding tax)

Around midnight, there weren't many customers waiting, but they started coming one after another. I ordered the basic spicy noodles with konjac noodles. It was delicious, but the taste of the broth and soy sauce was similar to another restaurant. I still can't distinguish between them, as they taste almost the same to me. Overall, I was satisfied with the late-night meal.

Visited on Monday at 7:30 pm. Ordered the Spicy Tomato Ramen in regular size with level 2 spiciness for 1,100 yen. Chose the "konnyaku noodles (Korean noodles with buckwheat flour)" option. Opted for normal amount of garlic. One customer before and two after. Served in about 5 minutes. The bowl is huge!! There's a lot of noodles, it's practically a large serving. The soup is spicy at level 2. It has a tangy tomato flavor with a hint of sweetness. The toppings include fluffy egg, chives, ground chicken(?), and garlic. The konnyaku noodles are very chewy. I'm stuffed. Thank you for the meal.

Today it is raining heavily all over Kyushu. So, I plan to grab a quick bite and drink at this shop in the arcade street, Kamuzu Meiten-gai. There was a Yamakasa of Kurosaki Gion on the way. It's the season for it. I arrived just as they opened. I ordered a bottle of Sapporo Red Star beer, spicy ramen in soy sauce flavor, half portion, level 10 spiciness, konjac noodles, normal amount of garlic, and some grilled dumplings. The beer was a lucky find as it's not usually available here. The grilled dumplings came out first and they were nicely cooked with thin skins. Next came the spicy ramen. The soup was spicy, but the flavor and richness of the chicken broth matched well. The egg, garlic, chives, chili peppers, and minced meat were a good harmony with the konjac noodles. I finished it in no time, it was delicious! By the way, the soup splashes easily noticeable because of its color, so if you're wearing white clothes, it's better to ask the shop for an apron. From the voice of experience (laughs).

Around 11 pm, I visited the restaurant and found that about 60% of the customers were there. I ordered the spicy noodles with extra spiciness, made with konjac noodles. I also added plenty of garlic, as well as a rich soy sauce and egg, which are must-haves. Eating the konjac noodles at the end reduced the guilt of indulging in a spicy meal. Overall, I felt that this place is on par with famous spicy noodle restaurants. I recommend trying it when you're not drinking.

Ripe tomato ramen (half) for 850 yen, spiciness level 5, noodles are Chinese noodles, no garlic. I ordered without garlic or chives because I have to meet someone later. Gentleman. Hmm... it's just like Mazumoto. I'm not a big fan of konjac noodles, so I chose Chinese noodles, which was the right choice. But when it comes to spicy noodles, konjac noodles are the specialty. Everyone has their own preferences.

- Spicy noodles level 9 for 900 yen - Noodles options: Konjac noodles, Chinese noodles - Customize garlic amount - Portion size is generous, even half portion recommended for women - Ordering normal size will result in a surprising amount of food - Plenty of side dishes like creamy cartilage available

There are three "Hachiryu" ramen shops in Kitakyushu City, but the Sanganomori shop has already closed. I visited all three shops, and the Kurosaki shop was the last one I visited. Just like the Sanganomori shop, they seem to be promoting "hydrogen water" here as well (ironic). However, unlike the other shop, the water here is really cold. Cold water with spicy noodles, that's the way to go. Just this alone makes the rating go up. This time, I had the Tomatospicy noodles with a spice level of 2. The base has a strong sweetness, but if you increase the spiciness a bit, it cancels out nicely. The richness of the garlic also adds to the flavor, and I realized once again that Miyazaki-style spicy noodles are punchy in a good way. However, in Kitakyushu, "Masumoto" ramen is quite popular, so Hachiryu tends to be underestimated. I personally don't think there is that much of a difference though.

Business trip to Kitakyushu. On the way back to the hotel, I came across "Karamen Hachiryu Kurosaki Store" in the vicinity of Kurosaki Station. It's a rare find for me as I don't see it in my hometown of Shizuoka, so I was happy to have the chance to eat there again. I heard that this type of spicy noodles originated in Miyazaki. Although there are many branches in Kyushu, it seems like there has been a sudden increase in spicy noodle shops in the Yahata Nishi area. The interior of the restaurant has 7 counter seats, 3 tables for 2 people, and 2 tables for 4 people in the back. There is a water server for self-service, but cloth hand towels were provided. Sweating while eating spicy noodles is inevitable, so the cloth hand towels were much appreciated. The menu includes Soy Sauce flavor with options for "Half" (1 to 5 levels of spiciness) for 700 yen and "Regular" (1 to 5 levels of spiciness) for 850 yen, as well as Fully Ripened Tomato flavor with options for "Half" (1 to 5 levels of spiciness) for 850 yen and "Regular" (1 to 5 levels of spiciness) for 1,000 yen. The menu goes up to level 25 in terms of spiciness, with prices increasing accordingly. Customers can choose between konjac noodles or Chinese noodles. There are also other side dishes available, such as Gyoza (6 pieces) for 450 yen, "Takowasa" for 450 yen, and "Ume Suisho" for 500 yen. I ordered the Regular Fully Ripened Tomato flavor with a spiciness level of 5 and konjac noodles, while my colleague ordered the Soy Sauce flavor Half with a spiciness level of 2 and Chinese noodles. We both asked for a normal amount of garlic. It had been a while since I had eaten spicy noodles, so I had forgotten the portion sizes. The Regular size was quite large. The Half size was normal, while the Regular size was almost like a large portion. Since I chose konjac noodles, I started eating while telling myself that they were zero calories (they actually contain buckwheat flour and have calories). There were plenty of leeks and beaten eggs swimming in the soup, along with ground meat. There was a tomato flavor, but unlike pasta tomato sauce, it was a collaboration with Chinese soup. The flavor was rich, with some spiciness that I could easily handle. The soup had a strong punch, thanks to the garlic, and I liked it. The konjac noodles were thin and had a chewy texture. Even though they didn't contain konjac, I felt like I could eat them without any guilt (my own assumption). My colleague wanted to eat rice, so he added a "Small White Rice" for 150 yen. He added half of it to his soup and passed the rest to me. Since there was still plenty of soup left, I added the remaining leeks, eggs, and soup to the rice bowl and ate it. The soup was so flavorful that it turned into a delicious porridge, but unfortunately, my stomach was full. I somehow managed to finish the porridge. If you're going to eat the Regular size, make sure you're not already full. But the garlic-infused tomato soup with chewy konjac noodles was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

After drinking in Kurosaki, I wanted to eat ramen, so I went to Home Run, but it was closed for some reason. As I walked around late at night, the only ramen shop that was open was this one, so I went in. It was 3 a.m. I'm not really good with very spicy ramen, especially after drinking because I might start sweating alcohol. I sat at the counter and saw that the ramen menu consisted of two main types: soy sauce and tomato. From there, you could choose the level of spiciness, toppings, size, and type of noodles. I called the waiter and ordered a soy sauce ramen with zero spiciness, and medium noodles. When asked about the size, they showed me the portions for half and regular sizes, with the regular size being quite large. I opted for the half size as I had been drinking. The fact that they offered zero spiciness in a shop that prides itself on spiciness was surprising. Apparently, level 2 is the regular spiciness. Later, another customer ordered level 40 spiciness. I would be rendered unable to function if I had that. My soy sauce ramen with zero spiciness and half size arrived. It was a normal ramen shop size, with a fair amount of oil floating on top, and a dark, punchy soy sauce color. The toppings included a lot of scrambled eggs, leeks, small minced pork, and garlic. I love leeks, so I was happy with the generous amount. The noodles were thin and straight. The taste was rich but not overwhelming, with a hint of sweetness. It was delicious, especially after drinking. I had a feeling that zero spiciness in a shop that emphasizes spiciness might be unbalanced, but it turned out to be quite a satisfying bowl. If I have the chance to visit again, I would like to try the zero spiciness tomato ramen next time. After paying 650 yen, I was about to leave when I saw the customer who ordered level 40 spiciness struggling with the dish. The bowl was completely red and covered in chili peppers, and it seemed like there was no soup left. While some people may enjoy it, the person eating it looked like they were in a lot of pain. I silently wished them luck and left the restaurant. Thank you for the meal.

Around 11 o'clock, I visited Kurosaki Arcade and there were surprisingly few customers. I tried the spicy noodles. It was soy sauce-based and tasted very similar to a certain brand, but it might be a great way to finish a meal. I would definitely like to use it as a way to finish a meal again.

◉Genre: Spicy Noodles ◉Area: Kurosaki, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu City, near JR Kurosaki Station ◉Access: 5-minute walk from JR Kurosaki Station ◉Parking: Not available (coin parking nearby) ◉Credit Card Payment: Not available ◉Number of Visits: First time ◉Number of Reviews: 1st review I visited "Karumen Hachiryu Kurosaki Store" on a whim on this day. ◇Exterior and Interior There are three stores in Kitakyushu City, and one of them is here. The exterior is the familiar red and black two-tone. The interior has black accents, creating a calm atmosphere. There is a TV on the upper part behind the counter. Despite it being crowded, with almost all seats taken, the customers and the restaurant are lively. They also have a smoking separation system based on time, with non-smoking hours from 12:00 to 18:00. ◇Seating There are 5 counter seats and 3 tables for 2 people. There also seems to be larger table seating towards the back. ◇Menu Of course, they serve spicy noodles. There are two types of spicy noodles: soy sauce and fully ripened tomato. You can choose between Chinese noodles or konjac noodles. Sizes include half and regular, with the option to choose the level of spiciness, offering some room for customization! Tissues and toothpicks are provided on the table. Self-service for water. I ordered the following: - Spicy Noodles (¥1,000) → I chose level 10 spiciness, hence the price. It would be ¥800 for level 0, so you get a decent amount for the price! I chose Chinese noodles. The dish included whole garlic and a well-balanced egg for neutralizing the spiciness. Now, for the taste test... It's delicious. Not just spicy, but also flavorful. The balance between soy sauce and spiciness is good, and level 10 spiciness was just right for me. The garlic and leeks add a punch, making it spicy but irresistible... Changing to tomato now. Yes, this is also delicious. The sweetness and acidity of the tomato with spiciness. A combination that seems unlikely at first glance but blends beautifully! And the konjac noodles also work well. Both are delicious, which feels a bit unfair. (laughs) ◆Strengths Open until 4 a.m. Serving delicious and spicy noodles. And the tomato is also delicious. ◆Customer Service Average here. ◆Summary Just like in Kokura, Kurosaki was also delicious, that's my honest impression. However, there are some differences, such as the lack of udon noodles, which is a bit disappointing. But as a late-night meal after drinking in Kurosaki, it might become my go-to choice. (laughs) Thank you for the meal. Now, on a very personal note, this review marks my 900th review milestone! (claps) I initially thought of stopping around 365. (laughs) People around me also suggested that, and with their help, I made it this far. However, that ends today. Today, I will put down... no, put away my smartphone. Huh? Is that not allowed?!?! (laughs) I'm sure people around me will say something, but considering the reason why I started using Tabelog, I feel like my mission is not yet complete... (laughs) Therefore, I have decided to change my posting schedule. Instead of posting one review on weekdays and Saturdays, and two on Sundays and holidays, I will aim to post three reviews per week (mainly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays). Well, maybe I should just stick to posting on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays... I'll think about it. (laughs) Well, I hope you will continue to watch over my humble, amateurish reviews with warm eyes. I do not accept complaints. (laughs)

New Year's Eve. I went shopping alone in Kurosaki and decided to visit "Karamen Hachiryu," a spicy noodle specialty shop that opened in the Kurosaki station front shopping street in October 2019. I sat at the counter and looked at the menu, where you could choose the soup, size, spiciness, type of noodles, and amount of garlic, with prices set in detail. I pondered for a while. The spicy noodle soup comes in two varieties: "soy sauce" and "fully ripened tomato," with the option of regular or half servings of noodles, extra noodles, and varying levels of spiciness from 0 to 25, with the ability to make it even spicier. Noodle options include konjac noodles (Korean noodles with buckwheat flour), Chinese noodles, and white rice (porridge) at the same price. You can also choose the amount of garlic: normal, half, a little, or none. There were also toppings and side menu options, but I'll skip those. I ordered the regular soy sauce soup, 9 spiciness (recommended for those who like spicy food), konjac noodles, and normal garlic (tax included 900 yen). After a few minutes, a larger-than-expected bowl of spicy noodles was served. It had scrambled eggs, leeks, minced meat, and garlic. The konjac noodles were thick and had a chewy texture similar to Korean cold noodles, providing a satisfying bite. Since I had the next day off, I chose the normal amount of garlic, but it was a bit strong, so half the amount might have been better. The 9 spiciness level was just right, not numbing the tongue, satisfying even for spicy food lovers. I wanted to compare noodles, so I ordered a half serving of Chinese noodles as an extra (tax included 100 yen). The Chinese noodles were thin and straight, slightly firm in texture. While I love this type of noodle in tonkotsu ramen, konjac noodles might be more suitable for spicy noodles. (Maybe ordering konjac noodles, adding rice, and finishing with porridge could be an option?) The bill came to exactly 1,000 yen. It was delicious, but a bit pricey... If I have the chance to visit again, I might try the fully ripened tomato with konjac noodles. Thank you for the meal.

I feel like there are more toppings and noodles in Masumoto's Chinese noodles compared to Jyakkan. The soup is pretty much the same. I had the tomato flavor! Adding cheese costs 200 yen at Masumoto, but only 70 yen at Jyakkan. The mango lassi was delicious too!

"Great place! ✨"