Originating from a food stall in Kurume City in 1937, tonkotsu ramen has become one of Fukuoka’s most beloved local specialties. While it’s generally divided into three styles — Hakata, Nagahama, and Kurume — recent years have seen an explosion of creative and evolved versions, offering a wide range of flavors and experiences.
In this article, we introduce four places for the best ramen in Fukuoka, the birthplace of tonkotsuramen. From a nostalgic food stall representing Fukuoka’s yatai culture to a ramen izakaya serving unique side dishes with drinks, all of these popular restaurants accept reservations and promise a memorable culinary experience.
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Here’s an overview:
Image: Umauma Gion store
『喜柳』｜Kiryu
A renowned yatai (street food stall) in Hakata operating since 1967. As a long-standing representative of Fukuoka’s food stall culture, “Kiryu” has been featured in numerous TV dramas and commercials, and remains bustling every night with locals and tourists.
- Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen: Classic Hakata-style thin noodles meet a slowly simmered pork bone broth. A rich and authentic experience of tonkotsu ramen.
- Yaki Ramen (Grilled Ramen): Boiled noodles grilled on a hotplate until crispy, served with a signature sauce. This is a Fukuoka yatai favorite with a satisfying texture.
With over 100 menu items, including 10 ramen varieties, Kiryu offers something for everyone. Local specialties include:
- Hakata Gurumaki – cabbage and spicy cod roe rolled in dough
- Mochimochi Gyoza – chewy texture dumplings, a shop favorite
- Karashi Menkon – spicy cod roe with lotus root
Just 2 minutes on foot from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station or 1 minute from Tenjin-Minami Station, the stall has 15 counter seats and is ideal for solo diners or a ramen nightcap after drinks.
Address: 1-4-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Reserve at Kiryu
『うま馬 祇園店』｜Umama Gion
Founded in 1953, this long-established restaurant inherits the flavor of Sanbaro, a pioneering shop considered the root of Hakata ramen. Its signature dish, the Genryu Hakata Ramen, features a clear, clear pork bone broth, matched with house-made flat noodles. Despite its light appearance, it offers deep umami.
Don’t miss their beloved side dishes:
- Bite-size Gyoza
- Grilled Chicken Skin Skewers
- Motsunabe (offal hotpot) with a mild, savory flying-fish broth
- Fresh Horse Sashimi sourced directly from Kumamoto
Recommended Courses
- Umama Course (No Drinks) – ¥3,300
Includes 7 items like 5 types of skewers, bite-size gyoza, and a small bowl of Hakata ramen.
- Umama Full Course (with 2-Hours All-You-Can-Drink) – ¥5,000 (2+ guests)
Includes mentaiko tamagoyaki, gyoza, skewers, their signature motsunabe, and more.
The standard finishing dish is noodles or rice porridge from the hotpot, but you can substitute with Genryu Hakata Ramen (small) for +¥400 if ramen is your goal.
Just 1 minute from Gion Station, the restaurant features a lively 9-seat counter, quieter tables for small groups, and a 2nd-floor tatami space for banquets.
(Course prices and contents are subject to the seasonal change. Prices are per person.)
Address: 1-26 Gionmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Reserve at Umama Gion
『豚そば 月や 大名店』｜Tonsoba Tsukiya Daimyo Ten
From it`s flagship location in Nakasu, where lines persist even late into the night, “Tonsoba Tsukiya” has expanded to the Daimyo district. As a “clear tonkotsu ramen” specialist, the restaurant offers a light yet flavor-packed bowl. Its transparent broth retains the rich depth and subtle sweetness of pork bones — a new take on tonkotsu ramen.
- Tonton Soba
Classic clear tonkotsu broth topped with tender, melt-in-your-mouth chashu.
- Dashi Soba (Daimyo location exclusive)
A clear seafood-tonkotsu broth with aromatic umami from fish stock.
- Same-Day 2-Hour All-You-Can-Drink Course – ¥3,850 (2+ guests)
Includes shumai, boiled gyoza, fried rice, fried chicken in sweet sauce, and your choice of finishing ramen (Tonton Soba or Dashi Soba). Available for arrivals between 18:00 and 21:00.
Located just 5 minutes from Akasaka Station, the calm 32-seat space (28 table seats, 4 counter seats) is family-friendly and supports credit cards, e-money, and QR payments.
(Course prices and contents may vary by the season. All prices are per person.)
Address: 1F Mountain House II, 2-2-44 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Reserve at Tonsoba Tsukiya Daimyo Ten
『呉朝明』｜Wu Chao MingRer
A long-loved ramen izakaya in Fukuoka’s Tenjin area, “Wu Chao Ming” began as a food stall in 1955. It`s tonkotsu ramen is limited to 40 servings per day and features a rich pork broth, medium-thin noodles, and melt-in-your-mouth chashu — a coveted combo that draws ramen lovers from near and far.
Their grilled wontons are especially popular and pair wonderfully with the ramen, earning a loyal following. The restaurant also offers a selection of over 50 alcoholic beverages, including carefully selected sake and shochu.
Party Course
- Chef’s Choice 6-Dish Course + 120-Minute All-You-Can-Drink – ¥4,900 (4+ guests)
Includes grilled and boiled wontons, four additional side dishes, and ramen to finish — perfect for group gatherings.
Located about 12 minutes from Tenjin Station and 10 minutes from Akasaka Station, Wu Chao Ming features 32 table seats and a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. It’s known as a “hidden gem” that even actors and celebrities visit, treasured by locals.
(Course pricing and contents may vary by the season. The price is per person.)
Address: 1F Shu Wa Maizuru Residence, 1-6-12 Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Reserve at Wu Chao Ming
Tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka varies widely from shop to shop — in broth richness, noodle thickness, and topping choices. Whether you’re enjoying a nostalgic bowl at a yatai stall or savoring a refined version in a stylish restaurant, every bite adds flavor to your journey.
Explore these four hand-picked shops and indulge in the blissful bowls of tonkotsu ramen that can only be found in Fukuoka.
For reservation inquiries, please contact AutoReserve directly.
