VOL.198 NOVEMBER 2024
JAPANESE RAMEN AND ITS GLOBAL EXPANSION
Hakata Ramen: Featuring a Rich and Creamy Tonkotsu Broth
An example of Hakata ramen.
Kyushu, in the southwest of the Japanese archipelago, is home to Fukuoka Prefecture in its northern part. Since ancient times, Fukuoka has developed as a key transportation hub connecting Kyushu and Honshu. Hakata Ramen is known for its origins in Fukuoka. In recent years, the global expansion of Hakata ramen restaurants has made its creamy, white tonkotsu (pork bone) broth* one of the most well-known representations of ramen abroad. We spoke with a person promoting tourism for Fukuoka City to learn more.
Fukuoka City, the central city of Fukuoka Prefecture, is often referred to as the gateway to Kyushu. It serves not only as a key transportation hub but also as a center of commerce. Hakata**, located on the right bank of the Nakagawa River flowing through the city, is the name of a district, and it is used in the names of one of the city’s stations, festivals, and even the local ramen, known as Hakata ramen. This ramen is typically associated with a creamy, white tonkotsu broth combined with extremely thin, straight noodles. However, according to the person promoting tourism in Fukuoka City, while the origin of the name is unclear, with various theories about its roots, it is widely believed that the ramen made with tonkotsu broth originated in ramen restaurants in Kurume City***, located in the southwestern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, and then spread to various regions of Kyushu, where unique variations of tonkotsu ramen were created in each area.
The most notable feature of Hakata ramen is its creamy, white tonkotsu broth, which is created by simmering pork bones over high heat. This process allows gelatin to dissolve from the bones into the broth, giving it a smooth, creamy texture*. In Hakata, the invention of Hakata ramen with tonkotsu broth and flat noodles**** is said to have occurred in 1946, with the ramen first served at food stalls.
The shift from flat noodles to the thin noodles now considered typical of Hakata ramen seems to have been greatly influenced by the Nagahama***** ramen that was eaten around the Port of Hakata. To shorten cooking times for the busy workers at the port, thin noodles were used and in smaller portions, allowing people to order extra noodles to add to the broth, a concept known as kaedama. This idea, popularized around the Nagahama area, appears to have been passed down to the current style of Hakata ramen.
Additionally, people can order Hakata ramen noodles in a unique way. “A distinctive feature of Hakata ramen is the ability to choose the firmness of the noodles, ranging from soft to firm, based on personal preference. Local people use regional dialect terms to describe the firmness, from the hardest to the softest, with expressions like bari-kata (extra firm), kata (firm), and yawa (soft). ‘Bari’ is a term in the Hakata dialect used for emphasis,” explains the spokesperson.
Photo: Fukuoka City
One of the highlights of staying in Hakata is experiencing its yatai (food stall)****** culture. “Fukuoka City has been working to preserve its food stall culture as a key tourist attraction. Hakata ramen, a flavor that originated in food stalls, is a part of this tradition. The city is home to about 100 food stalls, many of which serve Hakata ramen. At night, the lights from the stalls brighten the area, and the cozy setting fosters conversations and interactions with locals, capturing the charm of Hakata. Through social media and other channels, the appeal of these food stalls and Hakata ramen is attracting more international tourists to Fukuoka. We encourage you to visit Fukuoka and experience the food stalls and Hakata ramen for yourself.”
* See “Scientifically Breaking Down What Makes Japanese Ramen So Delicious”
** Hakata remains the name of one of Fukuoka’s central districts following the merge of Hakata and Fukuoka in 1889. Many things, such as the main railway station, port, dolls, textiles, and festivals, are named after Hakata, which is a beloved name among the locals.
*** Located in southwestern Fukuoka Prefecture, about 40 kilometers from Fukuoka City.
**** Noodles with a flat, rectangular shape. They are wider than regular Chinese noodles and have a chewy texture.
***** A coastal area with the Nagahama Fish Market, located near the Hakata Fishing Port.
****** A movable, simple store with a roof, used for food service or selling goods.
By TANAKA Nozomi
Photo: Fukuoka City; PIXTA
