Exploring Hakata Noodle Street: Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin and Beyond

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Exploring Hakata Noodle Street: Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin and Beyond

Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Hakata, a district in Fukuoka, last year. Fukuoka is renowned for its rich and creamy tonkotsu ramen, and Hakata is one of its most celebrated ramen hubs.

This time, we headed to Hakata Men Kaido (博多めん街道), also known as Hakata Noodle Street, located on the second floor of Hakata Deitos, just a one-minute walk from JR Hakata Station. This ramen haven features 12 different ramen restaurants, each offering a unique take on Hakata’s beloved noodle dish.

Hakata Ramen Kaido (博多めん街道)
Hakata Deitos 2F
1-1 Hakataekichuogai
Fukuoka 812-0012

Hakata Men Kaido (博多めん街道), Hakata Noodle Street

Hakata Ramen Kaido (博多めん街道) features a diverse lineup of ramen spots, including:

博多醤油ラーメン月や

長浜ナンバーワン

らーめん二男坊

麺や兼虎

元祖博多だるま

博多川端どさんこ

博多辛麺狛虎

博多らーめんShin-Shin

モヒカンらーめん

ラーメン海鳴

博多一幸舎

名島亭

Hakata Men Kaido (博多めん街道), Hakata Noodle Street

With so many options to choose from, we ultimately decided on Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin. I’d seen it recommended in numerous YouTube videos, and it had quickly climbed to the top of my must-try list for our trip to Hakata.

Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin (博多らーめんShinShin)

Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin

Menu

Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin

Abura Soba (油そば) + Onsen Tamago (温泉たまご)

My husband ordered Abura Soba (油そば), a soupless ramen dish, priced at 860 yen. He added an onsen tamago (温泉たまご)—a soft-boiled egg with a silky texture—for an additional 160 yen, bringing the total to 1,020 yen(approximately $7 USD). It was his first time trying Abura Soba, and he was pleasantly surprised by its thick noodles and bold, salty flavor. He thoroughly enjoyed the dish.

Shin Shin Ramen with Nitamago (煮玉子入りらーめん)

I ordered Hakata Shin Shin Ramen with Nitamago (煮玉子入りらーめん) for 970 yen, which is approximately $6.68 USD. In Fukuoka, it’s customary to be asked your preferred noodle firmness when ordering ramen—a detail that adds a personal touch to the experience. I opted for Barikata (バリカタ), a very firm noodle style boiled for just 20 seconds.

Here’s a quick guide to noodle firmness levels in Fukuoka:

Firmness Level	Description	Cooking Time
Yawa (やわ)	Very soft noodles	60 seconds
Futsu (普通)	Standard firmness	50 seconds
Katamen (かためん)	Slightly firm	40 seconds
Barikata (バリカタ)	Very firm	20 seconds
Harigane (ハリガネ)	Extra firm	10 seconds
Nama / Konaotoshi (なま / 粉落とし)	Nearly raw noodles	3 seconds

Shin Shin Ramen with Nitamago (煮玉子入りらーめん)

I thought it was true Hakata Ramen (博多ラーメン)—featuring a tonkotsu broth that’s rich but not overly oily, paired with thin, straight noodles. I really liked it. If I had ramen of this quality in the U.S., it would easily cost around $25 USD, roughly four times the price of Shin Shin Ramen.

During our taxi ride, the Japanese driver was surprised to hear that many ramen shops in Japan now charge over 1,000 yen per bowl. He recalled that a few decades ago, ramen typically cost about 500 yen. He mentioned that some places in Hakata, like Hakataya (はかたや), still offer ramen for just 290 yen—a rare find. When we told him ramen in the U.S. can reach nearly 4,000 yen per bowl, he was genuinely shocked. That’s why we make it a point to eat ramen only when we’re in Japan.

There are my entries related to Fukuoka.