“Hakata Genki Ippai!!” Creamy Tonkotsu Ramen

I visited the famous “Hakata Genki Ippai!!” known for the phrase “Did you eat the mustard greens?!?!”

What kind of restaurant is “Hakata Genki Ippai!!”?

“Hakata Genki Ippai!!” is a treasure for fans of tonkotsu ramen. Its unique deliciousness, distinctive creamy tonkotsu broth, and ultra-thin noodles are the key attractions.

“Hakata Genki Ippai!!” is unique in its own right. The shop doesn’t display any signage, and it’s famous for not appearing like a ramen place from the street. To visit, you need to look for a blue bucket placed outside. When this bucket is out, it indicates that the shop is open. This unique image, reminiscent of a members-only ramen place, makes “Hakata Genki Ippai!!” something special.

“Did you eat the mustard greens?!?!”

“Hakata Genki Ippai!!” has a famous anecdote associated with it. In the past, customers were served pickled mustard greens (takana) at their tables. However, a customer once ate the takana before the ramen arrived. This led to the shop owner exclaiming, “Did you eat the takana!!!!???” The owner’s intent was for customers to fully enjoy the richness of the ramen broth without their palates being numbed by the spiciness of the takana. Consequently, the customer was denied the ramen. While takana is no longer served, this episode contributed to the fame and uniqueness of “Hakata Genki Ippai!!”.

A shift from the previous strictness to a more relaxed approach.

“Hakata Genki Ippai!!” was once known for its strict rules within the restaurant, where photography was prohibited, and talking was not allowed. Customers who broke these rules were even asked to leave. However, the restaurant has since relaxed its rules, welcoming customers with a smile and creating a comfortable dining environment. The staff are very polite and friendly, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and relaxed. In the past, photography inside the restaurant was not allowed, but now customers are free to take pictures of the restaurant’s interior and the delicious ramen served there.

Access by bicycle.

When coming by bicycle, I couldn’t find a place to park around, so I mustered the courage to ask the staff where to park!

Surprisingly, it’s okay to park right in front of the shop! They just ask that you place your bike between the traffic cones. Alternatively, there’s also a bicycle parking space on the right side as you face the shop, which you can use. For more details, please refer to the photos below.

Where is the Hakata Genki Ippai!! located？

Summary

“Hakata Genki Ippai!!” has surpassed all other tonkotsu ramen I’ve ever tasted in Fukuoka and now sits at the top of my list! Its creamy yet subtly flavored tonkotsu soup is truly one-of-a-kind and unmatched by any other ramen shop.

You can enjoy not only the taste but also the uniqueness and anecdotes of this place. The shift from its strict past to a more relaxed atmosphere has made it more welcoming to a larger crowd. It’s not intimidating at all now; on the contrary, it’s very friendly. So feel free to visit with confidence!