Yaki Ramen

Yaki ramen is a stall born dish in which boiled thin noodles are stir fried on a griddle with pork and vegetables, then coated in a tonkotsu style sauce. It is said to have been devised around 1968 at a Tenjin stall, after regulars in the hot season asked to enjoy the flavor without drinking soup. With no broth, the umami concentrates in the noodles, and they stay firm even while you drink, a clever touch unique to the stalls.

Highlights

- A soupless style that delivers umami without broth - The toasty aroma created by frying on a griddle - A special sauce flavored with tonkotsu richness - A birth tale sparked by the voices of stall regulars

Seasonal Enjoyment

Yaki ramen is easy to eat even in sweaty summer and pairs wonderfully with cold beer. In winter, ducking under a stall curtain and eating it amid the heat of the griddle is something special.

Access and Basics

- Area: the stall districts of Nakasu and Tenjin in Fukuoka City - Access: a short walk from Nakasukawabata or Tenjin subway stations - Budget guide: an affordable price as a stall plate - Also popular as a closing dish after ramen

A Little Advice

Eat it freshly made, aroma and all, straight from the sizzling griddle. A little pickled ginger sharpens and refreshes the aftertaste.