[Fukuoka/ Hakata] Three Recommended Light Tonkotsu Ramen Restaurants for Summer! [ramen-women]
ramen-women is an active member of Fukuoka's Hakata who wants to make Kyushu ramen known to more people. She answers questions about ramen sent to her @ramen.onna account! This time, the theme is "light tonkotsu ramen."
Table of contents of this article
Q. Please tell me about a light-tasting tonkotsu ramen!
Hello! This is the 6th installment of "ramen-women"♪
I want more and more people to know about Kyushu ramen, so I am active on the ramen-women account (＠ramen.onna).
Here are the questions we received regarding your account.
— "Even in the hot summer, I want to eat tonkotsu ramen! Please recommend a lighter version of tonkotsu ramen."
I've been getting this question a lot lately. I guess it's because when people think of tonkotsu ramen, they tend to think of it as "rich" and "heavy."
Actually, even within the tonkotsu ramen category, there are lighter versions! I myself sometimes go looking for a "light tonkotsu" ramen depending on the day.
So, this time, I've put together a summary of the key points for a "light-tasting tonkotsu ramen" from a ramen-women's perspective.
What is light tonkotsu ramen?
■The soup is clear!
■You can customize the soup!
Based on the points mentioned above, I've picked out some "light-style tonkotsu ramen restaurants"!
Ramen is something that everyone likes depending on where they grew up, so I won't be judging it. But if you have the chance, please go and try it for yourself!
1. Open 24 hours! Perfect for late-night ramen or breakfast ramen! Light-style tonkotsu ramen at "Ganso Ramen Nagahama-ya" / Otemon , Chuo-ku , Fukuoka City
>> Original Ramen Nagahama-ya @ Otemon "ramen-women's Zuzuzu Video"
First up is "Ganso Ramen Nagahama-ya." Local ramen lovers refer to it as "Ie-ichi (or Kei-ichi)."
The reason for these names is that there is another restaurant with the same name in Hakata Ward , Fukuoka City , so ramen lovers started calling them Ie 1 (Ieichi or Keiichi) and Ie 2 (Ieni or Keni) to distinguish them.
This time, we will introduce the original ramen shop Nagahama-ya at "Ie 1" in Otemon , Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City . It is open 24 hours a day, and you may find yourself lining up at 5am. It's a great ramen for both the evening and the morning.
The only item on the menu is "Ramen"! This is the only item on the menu.
The ramen arrives about 20 seconds after you sit down! The speed is a major plus! The toppings are simple: finely chopped, salty char siu pork and green onions in a tonkotsu ramen.
The soup is light and unique, and you can change the flavor depending on your mood that day. Try it out and find the flavor that suits you!
The amount of noodles is quite large, so women may not need extra noodles.
As you eat it, you can customize it to your liking after the light taste. You can make it stronger with the chili sauce in the kettle on the table, or change the flavor with pickled ginger, pepper, or sesame, so you can enjoy the deliciousness over and over again!
Recommended points of "Original Ramen Nagahama-ya @ Otemon"
■It's a light-tasting ramen, so it's perfect for both a late-night meal and a morning ramen!
■Open 24 hours, so you can go anytime!
Please go and check it out!
Recommended Menu: Ramen 600 yen, Extra Noodles 100 yen, Extra Meat 100 yen and up
*Prices are subject to change.
[Original Ramen Nagahama-ya @Otemon]
■Address: 2-7-10 Otemon, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City [MAP]
■Business Hours: 24 hours
*Cleaning is done between 7:00 and 9:00 on Mondays. *If Monday is a public holiday, cleaning will be done on Tuesday. ■Regular holidays: None ■TEL: 092-725-5559
■Click here for details
2. Perfect for a drive or Tourism! Recommended even for those trying tonkotsu ramen for the first time: "Marukou Ramen Center" / Kiyama Town, Saga Prefecture
>>Maruko Ramen Center "ramen-women Zuzuzu Video"
Next up is "Marukou Ramen Center." Locally, everyone calls it "Marukou." I think quite a few people from Kyushu have been there.
The address is in Kiyama, Saga Prefecture, but it's closer to Fukuoka. It's located along National Route 3 and has a large parking parking that is the largest in Kyushu, and there are plenty of spaces for trucks! Look for the yellow sign.
Founded in 1965, this is a long-established restaurant with more than half a century of history! Its roots lie in Kurume ramen.
Here is the ramen.
The toppings are two generous slices of char siu pork and green onions, making it a simple tonkotsu ramen. It's also great value for money.
Maruko is known for its white soup. This white 100% pork bone soup, cooked with water pumped from the Kiyama River system, is light yet addictively flavorful.
The noodles are straight and medium-thin! They go really well with the tonkotsu soup! The noodles are also on the shorter side, so they're very easy to slurp♪
On the table is "Takuan" (pickled daikon radish), which is not often seen in Hakata ramen shops. Toppings start at 70 yen and there are about 10 types, such as mustard takana, bamboo shoots, seaweed, and boiled eggs, so you can try making your own ramen, which is fun.
Located along a national highway, this ramen shop attracts a diverse clientele of all ages, offering a wide variety of dishes including champon and chukadon! And, importantly, every item on the menu is incredibly cost-effective.
Recommended points of "Maruko Ramen Center Kiyama Main Branch"
■A light taste loved by people of all ages and genders!
■Good value for money! Consistently delicious from a long-established restaurant!
Please go and check it out!
Others Recommended Menu Items- ・Special Ramen (with raw egg, 4 slices of char siu, and bamboo shoots) 850 yen ・Wonton Ramen (with 5 wontons, 3 slices of char siu, and bamboo shoots) 710 yen ・Ramen Set Meal (ramen, mini salad, 4 dumplings, and a medium-sized bowl of rice) 920 yen etc.
*Prices are subject to change.
[Maruko Ramen Center Kiyama Main Branch]
■Address: 1642 Ogura, Kiyama-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga Prefecture [MAP]
■Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:30 PM (Last Order 9:00 PM)
■Regular closing days: Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday)
■TEL: 0942-92-2855
■Click here for details
3. I want to go there every day! A nostalgic, light-tasting tonkotsu ramen shop, "Fukuichi Ramen" (Nakagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
>> Fukuichi Ramen @ Nakagawa "ramen-women's Zuzuzu Video"
Lastly, there's "Fukuichi Ramen." Locally, everyone just calls it "Fukuichi."
This is a ramen shop franchise that operates only in Fukuoka. It serves traditional, nostalgic tonkotsu ramen.
This time, I'll introduce a shop in Nakagawa that's loved by the locals.
The Nakagawa branch only has L-shaped counter seats surrounding the kitchen, which allows you to see into the kitchen, so one of the pleasures is watching the owner painstakingly prepare each cup of coffee.
At Fukuichi, I ordered wonton noodles without hesitation.
Fukuichi is a light tonkotsu ramen with thin noodles, perfect for when you want a light meal. It's characterized by its simple appearance, with plenty of char siu pork, chopped green onions, and white sesame seeds.
The wonton is soft and creamy, and the thin skin goes perfectly with the hot soup.
On the table is "Karashi Takana", a favorite of Fukuichi fans. This is spicier than it looks, so try adding it to the soup to change the flavor.
Recommended points of "Fukuichi Ramen Nakagawa store"
■Light but rich flavor! I could eat it every day!
■The spiciness of mustard takana is delicious!
Please go and check it out!
Others recommended menu items- • Bean sprout ramen 700 yen • Large ramen 750 yen • Char siu ramen 850 yen etc.
*Prices are subject to change.
[Fukuichi Ramen @Nakagawa]
■Address: 1-35 Dozen, Nakagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture[MAP]
■Business Hours: 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM
■ Holidays: Irregular
■Click here for details
—-
This time, in response to the question, "Please recommend some light-tasting tonkotsu ramen restaurants," we introduced three establishments.
There are still many ramen shops in Fukuoka and Hakata that I'd like to introduce, besides tonkotsu ramen. I'll answer your questions on another occasion!
■ ramen-women (＠ramen.onna) … A ramen Instagrammer who loves Kyushu ramen.
Please also check out this ramen-women article!
>> 3 Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen Places Women Want to Try Alone!
>> Super tasty, rich and spicy! 3 recommended tantan noodles in Fukuoka
