Ramen chain Ippudo, founded in Fukuoka, is a global icon of tonkotsu ramen. From its creamy, odor-free pork-bone broth and its sleek Japanese-modern interiors to its diverse side menu, this article explores its appeal from five perspectives: Brand Story, Signature Ramen, Seasonal & Limited Menus, Sides & Toppings, and How to Order.
Contents
Ippudo’s Brand Story
Founding and History
The Birth of the Hakata Flagship
On October 16, 1985, Shigemi Kawahara opened “Hakata Ippudo” in Daimyō, Chūō-ku, Fukuoka City. At the time, Hakata ramen carried an image of being “intimidating, smelly, and unclean,” but Ippudo immediately stood out with its spotless interior, rich yet odor-free pork-bone broth, and in-house made thin straight noodles. The name “Ippudo” reflects the founder’s desire to “bring a fresh breeze to the industry,” though it was also inspired by his favorite band.
Expansion Across Japan
After its success in Fukuoka, Ippudo opened its first Kanto branch in March 1994 at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum. The following year, in 1995, it launched the Ebisu shop in Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, gaining nationwide recognition. In 1996, it introduced its signature Shiromaru Original and Akamaru New Style ramen. To mark its 30th anniversary on October 16, 2015, both recipes were refreshed, and on October 16, 2023, Shiromaru, Akamaru, and Karaka Ramen were all updated, ensuring Ippudo continues to captivate new and longtime fans alike.
Global Expansion Journey
Ippudo’s ambitions extended beyond Japan early on. In 1997, the founder won the TV Champion “Ramen Chef Championship,” boosting the brand’s prestige. In 2008, Ippudo opened its first overseas location in New York’s East Village, achieving nearly double the average Japanese outlet’s sales. It entered Singapore in 2009, then expanded into South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Shanghai by 2011, and opened a flagship in Paris in 2016. In 2017, Ippudo went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market and moved to the First Section in 2018, solidifying its status as a global ramen brand.
Concept & Commitments
Ippudo believes that deliciousness is experienced with all five senses. From the visual harmony of a spotless, stylish interior to the reassuring sounds and tactile comfort of every detail, we relentlessly pursue a holistic dining experience. Rigorous ingredient selection, pristine water quality, and meticulous cleanliness form the baseline of our “uncompromising standards,” upheld by the skillful hands of our well-trained chefs.
Passion for the Broth
Our signature tonkotsu broth is defined by its “silky mouthfeel,” “rich umami,” “subtle aroma,” and—most importantly—“zero unpleasant odor.” Since opening in 1985, we have perfected a method of carefully controlling heat and thoroughly preparing the bones to remove any off-putting smells, extracting only the purest, most flavorful essence.
The Secret of Our House-Made Noodles
Every day, we measure and adjust temperature, humidity, water ratio, and resting time to achieve the ideal texture. For Shiromaru Original, we use ultra-fine 22-gauge noodles with a crisp bite; for Akamaru New Style, slightly thicker 20-gauge noodles that highlight the wheat’s aroma. Each noodle is crafted to complement its broth, so the flavor lasts until the very last slurp.
Atmosphere & Ambiance
Fusion of Tradition and Modernity
The wooden signboards and hand-dyed noren evoke the elegance of traditional Japan, while the clean, woody interior brings a modern touch. This deliberate contrast—retaining the texture of a Kyoto classic yet stripping away excess—transports you into a serene, extraordinary space from the moment you step inside.
Design Inspired by the Five Elements
Built around the concept of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, the design integrates each element: the warmth of natural wood, the glow of fire-like lighting, earth-tone colors, the sharpness of metal accents, and the refreshing clarity of glass. Every detail is balanced to create a harmonious environment that engages all five senses.
Sound & Service Coloring the Experience
Soft jazz music plays throughout the restaurant, and staff dressed in traditional samue welcome you with warm smiles. The relaxed background music paired with bilingual (Japanese/English) friendly service turns the wait for your ramen into a pleasant, memorable moment.
Menu
Ramen
Shiromaru Original
The Classic Bowl
This is Ippudo’s signature tonkotsu ramen, preserving the original flavor since day one. A silky pork-bone broth flavored with a salt-based tare and lard, paired with crisp, thin straight noodles. Topped with tender loin chashu, prepared using salt koji and low-temperature cooking. A gentle yet deeply satisfying bowl that lets the broth shine.
Akamaru New Style
The Innovative Bowl
Enjoy a rich, complex flavor by stirring in garlic-infused oil and our special spicy miso. The broth combines a soy-based tare with pork back fat, perfectly complemented by medium-thin noodles that carry the wheat aroma. Finished with thick cuts of juicy belly chashu. If Shiromaru is the classic, Akamaru pushes the boundaries of tonkotsu ramen.
Karaka Ramen
The Spicy Bowl
A smooth tonkotsu broth elevated with a proprietary spice blend for extra heat and depth. Topped with our signature spicy meat miso, mizuna, and white scallions for texture. Choose your preferred heat level: “Regular” or “Extra Spicy.” The numbing, mouth-watering kick of ma la will have you reaching for every last drop.
Plant Akamaru
[Available at Ginza, Ginza East, Harajuku Takeshita, Asakusa Kaminarimon, Shijo Karasuma, Kanazawa Korinbo, and minamoa Hiroshima]
A plant-based ramen crafted to mimic the flavor profile of Ippudo’s signature Akamaru New Style without any animal ingredients. It features a rich soy milk broth deepened with aromatic oils and accented by spicy miso. Each bowl is designed so you can enjoy multiple layers of flavor in perfect harmony.
※This is a plant-based menu item.
Origin / Akamaru
[Available exclusively at Shioharahonpo and Asakusabashi]
“Origin” recreates the ramen recipe from Ippudo’s earliest days. A silky tonkotsu broth simmered for 12 hours is combined with a tare made from six varieties of Kyushu soy sauce. This is a must-try for ramen enthusiasts, connecting you directly to the roots of Shiromaru and Akamaru.
The “Akamaru” here reproduces the original 1996 flavor of Akamaru New Style, featuring the same meticulous in-house broth preparation, back fat to enhance richness, special spicy miso, and garlic-infused oil. It’s a sublime bowl that brings the classic taste back to life.
Hakata Shoyu Ramen
[Available exclusively at the Daimyō flagship]
Enjoy a refreshing pork-clear broth combined with locally brewed Jōkyū soy sauce from Daimyō. Ippudo, which first served soy sauce ramen in Fukuoka back in 1985, offers this modern Chinese-style soba exclusively at its original shop.
Edo-Style Shoyu Ramen
[Available exclusively at Asakusabashi and Kameari]
A revival of the soy sauce ramen once sold at the original Daimyō shop. The clear broth blends Kyushu soy sauces with pork-clear stock and dried sardines for a crisp finish. The noodles are specially made from medium-strong flour sourced in Fukuoka to perfectly match this refined soup.
Mira-ton
[Exclusive at Lumine Est Shinjuku]
A three-layer broth that mimics tonkotsu: a soy milk base, a vegetable bouillon, and kombu dashi. Potatoes are added to thicken the soy milk layer, while porcini mushrooms impart aromatic depth to the vegetable bouillon. The noodles are ultra-strong thin strands made with whole-wheat-inclusive flour to stand up to the complex broth. Colorful vegetable toppings are arranged to evoke classic tonkotsu ramen, offering a glimpse into Ippudo’s vision for the future of ramen.
※This is a plant-based menu item.
Earth-Scented Shoyu Ramen
[Exclusive at Lumine Est Shinjuku]
A broth layered with porcini and shiitake extracts, enriched by a vegetable bouillon, and finished with a clean, refined soy tare for deep aroma and flavor. Each vegetable topping is carefully prepared, and hearty smoked ganmodoki (fried tofu fritters) add a satisfying bite. This special bowl captures the essence of Ippudo’s craftsmanship.
※This is a plant-based menu item.
Hakata Chuka Soba
[Available exclusively at Morioka, Mall Plaza Kawaguchi, SOCOLA Tokorozawa, Takeishi Inter, Lalaport Kashiwanoha, CUEO Hachioji, Tokyo Solamachi, Hon-Atsugi Mylord East, LasCa Chigasaki, New Tsunashima Square, Shizuoka SA, Kariya, Aeon Town Matsubara, Kurashiki, Sunlive Create Munakata, and Sanno]
A carefully crafted fish-based broth concentrates umami from shop-made dashi. A side of yuzu kosho adds a refreshing kick when stirred in. The rich soy and seafood interplay creates a nostalgic yet novel chuka soba experience.
Shoyu Tonkotsu
[Exclusive at Horie and Sakai Inter]
A harmony of slightly sweet, sharp soy flavor and the creamy mouthfeel of tonkotsu broth. Thick, firm noodles pair perfectly with the soup. Inspired by Hakata motsunabe, this bowl is topped with garlic chips, nira (garlic chives), and bean sprouts to enhance aroma and texture. The result is a distinctly Hakata-style shoyu tonkotsu.
Kawagoe Tonkotsu Shoyu
[Exclusive at Kawagoe Inter branch]
Ippudo joined the “Kawagoe Shoyu Ramen” project led by local ramen shops and soy sauce makers in Kawagoe! This exclusive bowl features “Hatsukari Shoyu” from Matsumoto Soy Sauce Brewery blended into our rich tonkotsu broth, creating a uniquely regional flavor.
Genryū Shoyu
[Exclusive at Roppongi]
A clear pork-bone broth infused with traditional soy sauce from a long-established brewery in Itoshima, Fukuoka, and enriched with domestic grilled flying fish dashi. A hint of green chili adds a gentle kick, while classic menma and house-smoked chashu bring nostalgic depth and a new layered taste experience.
Tonkotsu Shoyu
[Exclusive at Yume Town Iizuka, Aeon Mall Fukutsu, Sunlive City Kokura, Munakata, Kengun Higashimachi, Sendai East Exit, Sendai West Exit, Maebashi, Okegawa, Meidaimae, Ikebukuro, Takadanobaba, Ginza INZ, Yokohama Izumi, Niigata, Toyama, Hakusan, Kanazawa FORUS, Suwa Inter, Lalaport Nagoya Minato AQULUS, Asty Gifu, Nishinomiya Kitaguchi, Himeji, Sannomiya, Yume Mall Saijo, Matsuyama, and minamoa Hiroshima]
Our signature tonkotsu broth is layered with in-house smoked soy sauce and locally brewed moromi soy sauce from Fukuoka Prefecture. The springy medium-thin noodles capture both the creamy soup and the sharp soy notes. Chicken fat and pork back fat deepen the flavor, and juicy thick-sliced chashu completes this Ippudo original.
Sides
Hakata Bite-Size Gyoza
Crispy, juicy bite-size dumplings. Both the wrapper and filling are original Ippudo recipes.
※Not available at some locations.
Hakata Fried Rice
Wok-tossed over high heat until each grain achieves a perfectly “al dente” texture.
Mentaiko Rice
A popular menu item often described as “You must order mentaiko rice with your ramen at Ippudo.”
Chashu Rice Bowl
Chunks of Ippudo’s signature chashu, simmered in our secret soy-based sauce, served atop steamed white rice.
Rice with Onsen Egg
A classic simple bowl of rice topped with an onsen-style soft-boiled egg and nori. The creamy yolk pairs exquisitely with tonkotsu broth.
※Plain white rice is also available.
How to Order & Recommended Eating
Order Flow
How to Use the Ticket Machine
- Insert coins or bills into the ticket machine located just inside the entrance.
- Select your desired ramen by viewing the photos and English labels on the touchscreen or buttons.
- Add side dishes or toppings on the same screen if you wish.
- Press the “Purchase” button to print your ticket and receive any change—don’t forget to collect both!
Key Points in the English Menu
- Main menu items are labeled in English (Original, Spicy, Extreme, etc.).
- Check allergy and dietary notes in English, e.g., “Contains: egg, wheat.”
- Seasonal specials are marked “Limited Edition”—watch for their availability dates.
Make Your First Ippudo Experience Even More Delicious
Ippudo’s story began in 1985 in Daimyō, Fukuoka, with the founder’s vision of “bringing a fresh breeze to the ramen industry.” Beyond the time-honored classics—Shiromaru Original, Akamaru New Style, and Karaka Ramen—you’ll discover seasonal specials and global collaborations every visit. With abundant sides like gyoza and chashu rice bowls and countless topping options, you can customize your bowl to perfection. By mastering the ticket machine, English menu labels, and choices for noodle firmness and broth richness, even first-time visitors can order with confidence. Surrounded by friendly service and smooth jazz, a sublime ramen experience awaits. Use this guide to savor Ippudo’s five-sense approach to ramen!
