Hakata Gogyo

Having long since established itself as a giant amongst the zillions of ramen shops across Japan, the pride of Hakata tonkotsu ramen, Ippudo, is quietly rolling out the next wave in noodle dining. They call it menshuka – men meaning “noodles,” shu for “sake,” and ka for “place” – to market a new ramen experience based on a main course of noodles eaten with izakaya-style side dishes, and of course, alcohol, Japan’s favorite meal accompaniment. Hakata Gogyo, located on a residential street just south of Kokutaidoro in Imaizumi, is the third branch of this innovative eatery, following locations in Kyoto and Tokyo’s Nishiazabu. Whether you sit at the counter overlooking the garden, at the tables with plush black leather seats, or at the large, sunken table, you’ve never slurped noodles in such style or comfort, making this a great date destination. Despite Hakata’s claim-to-fame tonkotsu ramen, no pork broth noodles are served here; the specialty is kogashi miso or kogashi shoyu . The soup’s rich, black color is achieved by heating the broth base until it bursts into flames,resulting in a deep, savory soup unlike any other you’ve tried. Topped with egg, tender sliced pork, kamaboko and cabbage, it’s almost a full meal. But prepare yourself – there’s a full menu of izakaya dishes featuring fresh Fukuoka ingredients. For dessert (dessert after ramen? We told you this was a new wave!), sample the selection of tasty Japanese treats and wrap up on a sweet note. Gogyo is something new, but still bursts with Fukuoka pride.

1-18-26 Imaizumi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka

092-735-4152