GUIDE Fukuoka Ramen Stadium by JNTO on 10 September 2018

Kyushu offers plenty of winter activities choose from — you can ski or snowboard in Kujyu Shinrin Koen, go trekking in Kirishima National Park, take a relaxing dip in Beppu’s hot springs, or view the beautiful winter illuminations throughout Fukuoka City.

If you’re in Fukuoka in winter, it’s also a great time to sample one of the prefecture’s most beloved dishes – Hakata-style ramen, which is renowned for its flavourful tonkotsu (pork bone) broth and thin noodles. One of the characteristics of Hakata ramen is the unique kaedama system where you can have an extra serving of noodles only if you have at least half of your broth remaining.

Throughout Kyushu, ramen typically features tonkotsu broth which is made by slow-boiling pork bones. Kurume City (also in Fukuoka Prefecture) is said to be the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, and its popularity spread across all of Kyushu with regional varieties.

Aside from Hakata ramen, you may come across two more types of ramen Kyushu is famous for —Kumamoto ramen and Kagoshima ramen. Kumamoto ramen also has a rich tonkotsu broth, and heavily features fried garlic chips and oil to deliver its distinctive flavour. Kagoshima ramen’s cloudy broth of tonkotsu is mixed with chicken stock to give it a richer flavour.

Where can you sample Hakata ramen?

If you’re a ramen fan, one of the must-see destinations for the beautiful winter decorations is Canal City Hakata, Fukuoka City’s most popular shopping and entertainment hub. Canal City Hakata also happens to be the perfect destination to warm yourself after a chilly winter night out — with a steaming hot bowl of ramen at Ramen Stadium.

Ramen Stadium isn’t really a stadium as the name suggests, but a food court on the fifth floor of Canal City’s Cinema Building. It carries not one, but eight famous ramen stalls that serves different ramen styles from across Japan — including

What Ramen Stalls Are at Ramen Stadium?

Ramen Stadium has eight ramen stalls with ramen from Hakata, Kurume, and as far as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Sapporo. You may want to start your meal with some Hakata or Kurume style ramen so you can get a taste of the variety of noodles Fukuoka Prefecture has to offer.

Here’s a list of the ramen stalls at Ramen Stadium:

• Nagahama Number One (Hakata): Established in 1976, this stall specialises in Hakata-style ramen and is known for its refreshing tonkotsu broth, thin noodles, and fresh chashu and leek. Open from 11:00-23:00 and costs $700+ yen per bowl.
• Ramen Jinanbo (Hakata): This stall specialises in Hakata-style ramen with a rich tonkotsu broth, fine wheat noodles, and toppings that include chashu and crispy noodles. Open from 11:00-23:00 and costs $670+ yen per bowl.
• Shodai Hide-Chan (Hakata): This stall specialises in Hakata-style ramen with a sweet-flavoured tonkotsu, fine noodles, and extra thick sliced chashu. Open from 11:00-23:00 and costs $820+ yen per bowl.
• Kurume Honda Shoten (Kurume): This stall features Kurume-style ramen (originating from Kurume City which is said to be the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen) with a rich and creamy tonkotsu broth, medium thickness noodles, and chashu seasoned with aged soy sauce. Open from 11:00-23:00 and costs $820+ yen per bowl.
• Gansotomato Ramen Sanmi (Fukuoka): This stall features a new style of ramen with tomato broth that’s sweet and sour, thick and straight noodles, and toppings that include spinach and cheese. Open from 11:00-23:00 and costs $680+ yen per bowl.
• Shinasoba Chibakiya (Tokyo): Established in 1993, this stall features Tokyo style ramen with a combination broth (chicken bone, pork bone, bonito, and kelp), supple soba noodles, and toppings that include chashu and scallions. Open from 11:00-23:00 and costs $750+ yen per bowl.
• Shinfukusaikan (Kyoto): This stall specialises in Kyoto-style ramen with a combination broth (chicken bone and pork bone), straight noodles, and is topped with thinly sliced chashu that adds some sweetness to the dish. Open from 11:00-23:00 and costs $700+ yen per bowl.
• Sapporo Ramen Daichi (Sapporo): This stall features Sapporo-style ramen with a tangy chicken and vegetable broth, medium thickness noodles, and smoked chashu that’s soft and tender. Open from 11:00-23:00 and costs $750+ yen per bowl.

How do you get to the Ramen Stadium?

Ramen Stadium is located on the fifth floor of Canal City. The easiest way to get to Canal City while you’re in Fukuoka City is to take the loop bus from either Hakata or Tenjin Station (100 yen). You can also opt to take a 15-20 minute walk from either station until you reach Canal City.

Date: Open year round
Time: 11am - 11pm
Entrance fee: None