Hakata Ippudo Is Nagoya's Best Ramen

Ippudo's Original Shiromaru Ramen

According to the ramen experts at Hakata Ippudo the secret is in the process of boiling pork bones and then condensing the resulting stock until it is just right to pour right into the ramen bowl. As great as their original White Stock Ramen we would not argue one little bit. Drinking the stock when the noodles have been devoured is like a heavenly dessert. This has been done from day one when Shigemi Kawahara opened the first Ippudo Ramen Shop in the Hakata area of Fukuoka in 1977.

The stock is not salty, not too greasy, nor too heavy. It simply is the best stock of any ramen restaurant in Nagoya (or the world). All Ippudo restaurants in the 150 shop chain located in Japan, the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, France, and Taiwan; demand consistency so that eating their ramen in Osaka or Nagoya or New York City or London will all have the same exact flavor, seasoning, and presentation. Adherence to the Ippudo way is the only way for all outlets. Here Ippudo is a smashing success. Having eaten in the Nagoya, Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima shops, it is the same quality each visit no matter the location.

While Sakae in Nagoya is filled with over 100 ramen joints, Ippudo is clearly the best hands down. The noodles are hand made which is rare in this modern city. The stock is made fresh every day beginning at 6AM. Again, rare for modern ramen shops. Today, the norm is to have prepackaged noodles and broth. Ippudo still hand makes the noodles for both the ramen and soba. The pork is tender, fat trimmed to a finger nail width, and seasoned with only a dash of white ground pepper then steamed for 2 hours until it is falling apart good. There simply is no better ramen restaurant in Nagoya or in Aichi. The original Shiromaru Ramen is simply the best ramen you will ever eat.

Karakamen

The gyoza (or pot stickers) are steamed and seared to perfection. The filling is just right in seasoning and again are not too greasy as many are in chain restaurants. For a different but equally delicious ramen adventure the new Karakamen is topped with their special chili paste and garlic oil. The Tebesaki (chicken wings) are topped with sesame seeds after being cooked and then drenched in the Ippudo homemade Soy-Seame BBQ Sauce.

Gyoza Set - Rice and Tea Included

Tebesaki

The only down side to the perfectly cooked and presented offerings is that the salad offered is no more than shredded cabbage with a few strands of carrot and a splash of bland sesame dressing that is too heavy on the mayo and too light on the sesame. But this can be overlooked as it all about the ramen here.

Also offered is various fried rice dishes, Nagano style soba, and salads from cabbage to creamy potato. Beer is the sole alcoholic offering and then only Kirin Ichiban Shibori. This place gets crazy packed from 12PM to 2PM every day. Folk will wait 45 minutes for a table with no complaint.

Location:

1-1-10 Higashisakura,

B1 Blossa-Urbannet Bldg

Higashi-ku, Nagoya

Phone: 052-950-5251

Website: http://www.ippudo.com/store/nagoyasakaebrossa/

Hours: 11AM to 11PM every day and only closes on January 1.

Price: Super Affordable

Quality: Best Ramen in Aichi

Service: Exceptional

Advice: Come hungry and take your time eating. Rushing this experience will leave you feeling full but empty in your soul.