🍜 Ippudo 101: The Stylish King of Tonkotsu

2026年1月23日2026年1月24日

🎨Introduction

If “Jiro” is the wild beast of the ramen world, Ippudo (一風堂) is the sophisticated gentleman. Born in Hakata (Fukuoka) in 1985, Ippudo revolutionized the industry. Before them, ramen shops were often seen as “scary, dirty, and smelly” places only for men. Ippudo changed everything. With jazz music playing in the background, stylish interior design, and odorless, creamy soup, they made it cool for women and couples to eat ramen. Today, they are global ambassadors of Japanese soul food.

👁️ Kajino’s Eye: The Legend of the “Queue that Built a Street”

I have watched Ippudo’s rise in Tokyo with my own eyes for over 30 years.

The Humble Beginning (1995): When Ippudo first landed in Tokyo, they chose a location between Ebisu and Hiroo. It was a 15-minute walk from the station—a terrible location for a restaurant. I used to go there often. The ramen was amazing, but back then, there were no crazy lines. It was a hidden gem.

The Explosion: Then, they opened a shop in Gotanda, near where I lived with my mother. This shop changed history. It became an instant sensation. For over 10 years, there was a massive queue every single day.

The “Ippudo Effect”: The street in Gotanda was a bit run-down and quiet. But the power of Ippudo’s crowd brought energy to the area. Big companies and other shops started opening nearby. Ippudo literally revitalized the street!

The Mystery: A decade later, the shop was fully renovated. It became sparkling clean and modern. But strangely… once it became beautiful, the legendary queue disappeared. The shop is still busy, but the “magic frenzy” calmed down. Perhaps the old, gritty atmosphere was part of the flavor? It remains a Tokyo mystery.

🔴 The Big Decision: Shiromaru or Akamaru?

Unlike other shops with 50 menu items, at Ippudo, you only need to know two main characters.

1. Shiromaru Classic (The Purist)

Color: White bowl.
Taste: The original Tonkotsu pork broth. Creamy, silky, and traditional.
Noodles: Ultra-thin straight noodles.
Best for: First-timers who want the authentic Hakata taste.

2. Akamaru Modern (The Innovator)

Color: Red bowl.
Taste: The classic broth enhanced with special miso paste and garlic oil (Ma-yu). Richer, deeper, and slightly spicy.
Noodles: Slightly thicker noodles to hold the soup.
Best for: Those who want a punch of flavor and umami.

🥢 The System: How to Order Like a Pro

Ippudo is very tourist-friendly (English menus/Tablets are standard), but here are the rules:

1. Choose Noodle Hardness (Katas) ⚠️ Crucial! Hakata ramen uses thin noodles that cook in seconds. You must choose the firmness.

Bari-kata (Extra Hard): For experts. Al dente crunch.
Kata (Hard): Recommended! Best texture.
Futsu (Medium): Soft.
Yawa (Soft): Not recommended (gets soggy fast).

2. The Freebies Look at the table. You will find:

Hot Bean Sprouts (Karai Moyashi): This is legendary. Spicy, crunchy bean sprouts. It’s free and unlimited. Great with beer.
Rooibos Tea: Instead of water, Ippudo serves Louisbos tea to cleanse your palate.

3. Kae-dama (Noodle Refill) Don’t drink all your soup! If you are still hungry, say “Kae-dama, please!” (approx. ¥150). You get a fresh ball of noodles to put in your remaining soup.

🏆 Top 10 Best Sellers (Ranking)

🏆 Top 10 Best Sellers (Everyone’s Ranking) Based on the “Minna no Ranking” portal site voting results.

１．Shiromaru Classic (Shiromaru Motoaji / 白丸元味) The origin of Ippudo. A silky, creamy Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth that is rich but not smelly. Served with ultra-thin straight noodles. If you are a first-timer, start here.

２．Akamaru Modern (Akamaru Shinaji / 赤丸新味) The innovator. It takes the Shiromaru broth and adds a special umami miso paste and fragrant garlic oil (Ma-yu). The flavor is deeper, richer, and punchier.

*Photo courtesy of Ippudo official website*

３．Hakata Bite-Sized Gyoza (Hakata Hitokuchi Gyoza / 博多ひとくち餃子) In Hakata, dumplings are made small (bite-sized) to be eaten easily alongside ramen. The skin is crispy, and the inside is juicy. Perfect with beer.

４．Kiwami Karaka-men (Extreme Spicy Noodles / 極からか麺) For spice lovers. The Tonkotsu broth is topped with special spicy miso and minced meat. It offers a stimulating kick that is addictive.

５．Hakata Tantanmen (博多担担麺) A rich, sesame-based spicy noodle dish. It combines the creamy Tonkotsu base with the numbing spice of Sichuan pepper.

６．Fried Rice (Chahan / チャーハン) Cooked at high heat to create a fluffy yet crumbly texture. The savory soy sauce aroma makes it the perfect sidekick to any ramen.

7.Hakata Chuka Soba (Soy Sauce Ramen / 博多中華そば) A lighter, clear soup based on soy sauce and chicken stock. A great alternative for those who find pork broth too heavy.

8．Mentaiko Rice with Onsen Egg (Ontama-nose Mentaiko Gohan / 温玉のせ明太子ご飯) Rice topped with Mentaiko (spicy cod roe), which is the famous regional specialty of Fukuoka, and a soft-boiled egg.

９．Soupless Karaka-men (Shirunashi Karaka-men / 汁なしからか麺) “Mazesoba” style (no soup). You mix the spicy meat sauce and noodles thoroughly before eating. Intense flavor.

10．Hakata “Power” Rice (Hakata no Chikara Meshi / ハカタノチカラめし温玉のせ) A hearty rice bowl topped with savory roast pork (Char siu) and a soft-boiled egg. A filling side dish for hungry eaters.