Before boarding the plane back, I had dinner at a ramen restaurant near the airport. When I entered around 5:30 pm, there was only one other customer. I sat at the counter and ordered the Kairyu ramen with extra chashu and wontons. The friendly owner recommended that I get the noodles cooked "zundare," which means soft. The soup was very thick and rich, dripping heavily from the spoon. The noodles were soft and moist, slightly thicker than typical Hakata ramen noodles. I decided to try a second serving with firmer noodles, but after eating the soft ones, the firmness felt a bit off. Definitely recommend getting them "zundare."

Arrived on 2023/09/24 (Sunday) at 16:52. There were about 7 people waiting outside. Ordered Char siu ramen for 1,450 yen + extra noodles for 180 yen. The rating at the time of visit (main branch) was 3.67. The soup has a strong pork smell. The noodles are soft. It seems to be a specialty of this shop that they cannot make the noodles firm. The strong pork smell, with a hint of bitterness, is not to my liking. I prefer the noodles to be firmer. I understand they have their own standards, but I wish they would let customers choose based on their preferences.

The master is friendly and welcoming. The ramen, as others have mentioned, has a unique and delicious taste in both the noodles and soup. It falls somewhere between Tenkaippin and Tonkotsu ramen. I recommend trying the miso sauce with rice!

Opened in 2001, this restaurant in Hakata is known for its extremely rich tonkotsu ramen, which is popular among celebrities. The soup, made by continuously adding ingredients since its establishment, has a high concentration that allows you to feel the roughness of the bones directly. The unique bitter smell may divide opinions. The noodles, a topic of controversy, are recommended by the owner as "zundare (soft)." The owner claims that boiling the noodles well creates a firm texture, and after trying them, it's easy to see why. The chewy and pleasant texture, along with the sweetness of the wheat, complements the soup perfectly. Don't miss out on the delicious toppings like chewy wontons and crunchy bamboo shoots, which add a satisfying touch to the meal.

It's a delicious soup. It has a rich and thick taste that is irresistible when you're hungry. It's rare to find a ramen where the soup is the star like this. It's a bowl where you can really taste the deliciousness of the pork bone soup. Thank you for the meal.

After 3 pm, I had some time to spare before returning the rental car, so I decided to enter this place near the airport. The owner, or someone who seemed like the owner, kept repeating the explanation about their zunda (sweet edamame paste) dishes until I placed my order. After ordering with my companion, we were asked which zunda dish we wanted without much choice. Even after receiving our dishes, the owner kept talking about how the extra firm noodles would upset our stomachs, and how restaurants should ask customers for their orders. He talked so much that we couldn't even have a conversation. By the way, I prefer the extra firm noodles with my zunda rather than the regular ones. The soup was just okay. After paying, we had to run to our car in the parking lot because of a sudden thunderstorm. The owner, who had been chatting non-stop earlier, completely ignored us after we paid.笑

About a 10-minute drive from Kyushu Expressway/Ozai-fu IC, there is "Kairyu Hakata Main Store." The soup seems to have become noticeably lighter than before... About a month ago, I thought, "Huh? The soup is much lighter than usual?" After a one-month interval, I went for lunch today, and indeed, the soup was watery \(//∇//)\ (The lack of bone powder at the bottom of the bowl is evidence...) Could it be a consideration for tourists from outside the prefecture who dislike the smell of pork bones, Master... (T_T) The sign advertises "Dodontonkotsu Ramen," but I assure you that "the current taste is not the same as the old taste"... Thank you for the meal today! ~Postscript~ "Kairyu Kokura Main Store" has the traditional taste of "Dodontonkotsu Ramen"! I will review it next time.

"Kairyu Ramen (Zundare) is a no-guest restaurant where you are served directly by the master. I ordered the Zundare ramen and the experience was unique. With no staff around, the master took my order, chatted with me, and then made the ramen himself. The ramen had a bit more bitterness than I expected, but it brought back memories of the classic Kurume ramen. Thank you for the nostalgic experience of Kurume ramen."

I visited a restaurant that I had been curious about for the first time. I saw it on YouTube and thought I would like to try it, so when I had a chance to visit Fukuoka, I went there. My impression of the food is that the smell is really strong. I guess this is the charm of Hakata tonkotsu ramen, but for someone like me who is not used to eating it regularly, it was a bit challenging. I need to study more about ramen and gain more experience to appreciate it better! Thank you for the meal.

I asked my junior for a recommendation and we entered a place that didn't look inviting at all from the outside. But once we stepped in, we were greeted by a fervent baseball fan with an impressive collection of baseball goods and signed autographs of celebrities. The owner was very entertaining, constantly talking about why being stiff is a big no-no. The first bowl of ramen had to be "soft," which they called "zundare," and they didn't accept any other options. You could choose the firmness of the noodles for the refill. Regardless of the noodles, the traditional Fukuoka-style tonkotsu soup was outstanding. I had experienced the owner's talk about being stiff and thin this morning, so I was impressed by the accuracy of his words. Thank you for the meal!!

I went to Kairyu looking for smelly tonkotsu ramen! Kairyu All-in Ramen ¥1080. Even before entering the shop, there is a unique smell of tonkotsu. When you order the ramen, it becomes even more prominent! When you take a sip of the soup, you can feel the pungent taste and smell of tonkotsu passing through your nose. The soup looks thick, but it's actually quite light. I think this ramen is loved by those who enjoy it. If you want to try smelly tonkotsu ramen, be sure to visit Kairyu!

First visit to the legendary Hakata "Kairyu". The taste is completely different from the main store in Kokura, for better or for worse, but what stands out here is the passion and attitude that the master puts into his ramen. When it comes to the noodles, I was sternly advised, "If it's your first time, go with 'zundare' for the firmness!" So, even though I prefer them soft, I reluctantly agreed. To my surprise, they were just a tad firm. For those who instinctively ask for "extra firm," it's a different story, but for those who are trying the shop for the first time, ordering them "normal" is more than enough.

Zundare is the best. I was recommended by the strong-willed owner and ordered "zundare" with trepidation. The noodles were not just soft and stretchy, but had a firm texture. The owner said you can tell the difference when you order the noodles firm, so I tried it and could feel the rawness of the wheat. After tasting zundare, the regular noodles seemed less delicious, or even worse. I couldn't finish with firm noodles, so I couldn't help but order a second serving of zundare. Of course. I will never forget the genuine smile on the owner's face at that moment. It was such a shocking experience that I'm embarrassed to think back to when I used to think Fukuoka ramen was all about firm noodles. It was emphasized that choosing the right firmness for each restaurant and type of noodle is important, so from now on, when eating ramen in Fukuoka, I'll start with regular firmness.

I wanted to eat a rich pork bone broth, so when I arrived at the restaurant, I was recommended to try the "zundare" for my first bowl. The staff proudly said it's a must-try! I usually don't order my ramen noodles soft, but it does work well with their ramen here. However, I didn't appreciate how they were putting down other ramen shops, saying things like ordering "extra firm" at other places is wrong. They should just focus on promoting their delicious zundare ramen instead of criticizing others.

I recommend starting with the all-in-one ramen with zunda sauce. The soft noodles really absorb the soup well, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor of both the noodles and the soup. Delicious! As a comparison, I also ordered an extra serving of noodles with firm texture. While I usually enjoy firm noodles, compared to the zunda sauce, they felt a bit lacking in flavor. This time, I felt that the zunda sauce was the winner!

Hello, good evening. This is my delicious meal GO. I had some business in Hakata, so I went to the famous tonkotsu ramen restaurant called "Kairyu". The staff there passionately explained the goodness of their special topping called "zundare". I was curious about what zundare was, but it turned out to be really good. Ramen can have a unique taste that some people love and others may not enjoy as much. It was a bit of a surprise for me, as I had never tried this flavor before. Luckily, there wasn't a long line so I was able to get in quickly! The staff were also very nice, so overall I really liked it.

Kairyu Do Tonkotsu Ramen Kaio Hakata Honten, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Established in 1992 in Kokura, the Hakata main store opened in 2001. Known for its rich and thick tonkotsu broth, this ramen shop specializes in Kurume-style ramen, particularly the "Do Tonkotsu" which is exceptionally rich and creamy, making it a polarizing choice for ramen lovers. The unique and intense customer service by the owner, Mr. Moriyama, is also well-known and adds to the overall experience. The walls of the shop are covered with signatures of famous people, a sight to behold. The signature dish is the Ramen with simmered egg (930 yen), and you can also get an extra serving of noodles for 160 yen. The recommended noodle texture is "Zundare" (soft noodles), with other options like firm, extra firm, and extra extra firm not available. The soup is incredibly delicious, with a slight hint of a burnt aroma that adds a nice touch. The broth is made by continuously simmering pork bones and lard for 24 hours using the unique Kurume ramen method called "yobimodoshi." Mr. Moriyama, the owner, puts his heart and soul into making the soup, and it truly shows in the delicious and addictive flavor. The noodles complement the soup perfectly, especially the soft noodles "Zundare." I personally prefer firm noodles, but after trying the soft noodles, my perspective has changed. Mr. Moriyama mentioned that not all shops can make soft noodles work, as they might become soggy if not made properly. Therefore, it's best to adjust the noodle texture based on the shop. Overall, it was a delightful experience, and I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal!

It was a trip to Fukuoka with colleagues after a year. We had a new member in our group, so our itinerary included a visit to Dazaifu. This was my first time at this place near the airport. I had never heard of "zundare" before, but it was indeed delicious. The pork bone broth goes well with either regular or soft noodles. I personally prefer a milder flavor, but both the taste and the atmosphere of the restaurant left a good impression!

Today's destination is a popular ramen shop in Hakata. They are known for their "zundare" noodles, with no option for extra firmness like "barikata". I arrived at 11:30 on a Sunday and both the parking lot and the restaurant were empty. As soon as I sat at the counter, the owner started his lecture, claiming that "zundare" is the true essence of ramen. There was a sign saying, "Do you eat okonomiyaki, takoyaki, or pancakes raw? That's the idea." He criticized the "barikata" culture, saying that people who order it just want to say "barikata". The customers burst into laughter (or was it disbelief?) every time the owner spoke (lol). Following the owner's recommendation, I ordered the "zundare" ramen with a soft-boiled egg. The soup looked light and thin, lacking in flavor and richness. The noodles were more like regular medium-thin Hakata tonkotsu ramen noodles, cooked slightly soft but chewy. The chashu was dry, but the soft-boiled egg had a delicious runny yolk. Instead of criticizing "barikata" and recommending "zundare", they should just label "zundare" as "normal" and have an option for "firm noodles" instead. "Barikata" is already a part of Hakata ramen culture. Thank you for the meal.

It had been about 10 years since I last visited this place. I revisited with memories of a rich, pork bone broth ramen. I arrived in the early evening and there was only one other group of customers. Based on the reviews on Tabelog, I imagine it gets crowded during lunchtime. When I was ready to order, the chef started talking a lot. He said things like, "Putting pickled vegetables in ramen shows a lack of confidence in the soup," or "Ordering extra firm noodles is just trying to show off," or "Ramen shops that use fish powder in their soup are bad at making broth." He had a lot to say (*'Д'*)ﾉｼ. Clearly, he has some grievances with the current ramen industry. I ordered the "zundare" ramen, which comes with soft noodles by default. I also got an extra serving of firm noodles, but I realized I prefer them firm from the start (つД-｀). The chef's personality was stronger and richer than the ramen itself! The restaurant was filled with autographs from famous people.

Hello everyone, what's up? It's MoriP, who loves to eat his way around Fukuoka! Today, I visited "Kairyu Hakata Main Store." The ramen here has a thick, muddy brown soup that I haven't seen in a long time. It's incredibly rich and the opposite of the beautiful ramen that has been popular in recent years. The soup is as intense as it looks, with a hint of a slightly burnt bitterness. They seem to use a method of continually adding to the soup. I recommend the "zundare" noodles, which are softer than usual. They are soft but have a slightly firm texture in the center due to low water content. The chashu is thinly sliced and has a slightly gooey texture. The owner has a strong personality. Be careful not to get food poisoning from the extra firm noodles.