Local Guide
5 recommended Kumamoto Ramen restaurants you must try in Kumamoto City

The moment the bowl is served, the aroma of garlic rises softly, instantly whetting your appetite. Kumamoto ramen" has a different history of development from Hakata ramen, and is one of Kyushu's representative pork ramen. It is characterized by the accentuation of garlic, and the soup recipe, type of noodles, and toppings vary from restaurant to restaurant. It is fun to enjoy the differences. Why don't you go out for a ramen store tour in search of a bowl of ramen, which is a soul food that spreads around Kumamoto City and is well-known among local residents? Here are five famous restaurants that boast high popularity among the locals.

A wide variety of tonkotsu ramen culture has taken root in various parts of Kyushu, and Kumamoto ramen is one of them. From Kurume City in Fukuoka Prefecture, the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, it was introduced to Kumamoto City via Tamana City in Kumamoto Prefecture, where it has developed independently since the late 1945s. It is said that behind this development and evolution were the achievements of three craftsmen, including the founder of "Komurasaki," a popular restaurant that still operates in the Kamidori arcade in the center of Kumamoto City today.
Kumamoto ramen soup is based on pork bones, to which chicken bones are added in many stores, giving it a mild flavor with minimal peculiarities. The noodles are medium-thick, and the main feature is the garlic that is added in various styles such as fried, stir-fried, or burnt garlic oil (ma-yu), as well as other toppings such as chashu pork and kikurage mushrooms.
The difference between Kumamoto ramen and Hakata ramen is that the popular "daitama" (double portion of ramen) is generally not available in Kumamoto ramen.

Highly popular local ramen that will surprise you with its overpriced satisfaction.

Kumamoto Ramen
Kumamoto Ramen" 580 yen. The bowl is decorated with standard toppings such as chashu pork and kikurage mushrooms.

The white-walled storehouse is located along Kamino Uradori Street, which is lined with highly sensitive stores and popular eateries. At first glance, the appearance of this ramen restaurant is eye-catching.
The signature dish, Kumamoto Ramen, features a rich, creamy broth made by slowly cooking domestic pork gengkotsu (pork offal) and backbone. The noodles are made with straight, thin noodles, which is rare for Kumamoto ramen, and are exquisitely intertwined with the deep, rich soup, which is light enough to eat easily. In addition, the fragrance of the charred garlic chili oil stimulates the appetite. The authentic taste of Kumamoto ramen can be enjoyed for only 580 yen, which is another reason for its high cost performance.

Reasonably priced snacks. Can be used as a ramen izakaya (Japanese-style pub) at night.

Families come for lunch and other daytime activities, while many customers come late in the day to enjoy ramen for the end of the day.
Families come for lunch and other daytime activities, while many customers come late in the day to enjoy ramen for the end of the day.

In addition to the standard Kumamoto ramen, the restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes, such as the "Super Spicy Red Ramen" with up to three times the spiciness, and "Curry Ramen" made with chigurei noodles.
In addition, a variety of snacks that go well with alcoholic beverages, such as "gyoza," "deep-fried salted hormone," and "vinegared morimots," are also available at reasonable prices starting at around 300 yen. Enjoying drinks and snacks and finishing with ramen is also possible, making it the perfect place for a quick evening meal.

Local Guide Comment
The restaurant is said to be the best in terms of cosmetics. Ramen lovers will be happy to know that, unusually for a ramen restaurant in Kumamoto, they offer doubedama. It is also recommended for a little drink with its extensive snack menu.
Ramen Akagumi
  • Address 7-29 Kamidori-machi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 5 min. walk from "Dori-machi-suji" or "Suido-cho" streetcar stop.
  • Business Hours 11:00-23:30 (L.O. 23:00), Friday, Saturday and the day before national holidays - 24:00 (L.O. 23:30)
  • Regular holiday January 1 and December 31
  • TEL 096-325-8766
  • Parking None

Only one deliciousness. Ramen with egg yolk topped with fresh, rich egg yolk

Ramen with egg
Ramen with egg" 1,050 yen. You can choose between two egg yolks or a half-boiled egg as a topping. A large portion is 1,300 yen.

The restaurant was established in 1957 after the founder trained at "Komurasaki," one of the birthplace of Kumamoto ramen. Today, the restaurant continues to serve the traditional, gentle, handmade taste of ramen. The basic soup is made by cooking a large amount of low-fat pork skull bones, which gives the soup a light yet rich and deep flavor. The homemade medium-thick noodles are made from carefully selected wheat flour for a smooth and glutinous texture.
The "Ramen with Eggs", which was created because the second generation loved eggs, is now the signature dish of the restaurant. The egg and noodles are mixed together to create a unique taste experience.

Passion for homemade ramen is the secret to the delicious taste.

The interior of the restaurant is bright and simple, with white as its base color. After entering the restaurant, purchase a meal ticket from the ticket machine.
The interior of the restaurant is bright and simple, with white as its base color. After entering the restaurant, purchase a meal ticket from the ticket machine.

The soup, the burnt garlic oil, the noodles, and even the chashu pork are all homemade. The restaurant now attracts many domestic and international tourists in search of its flavor. The restaurant also sells ramen noodles as souvenirs and bottles of burnt garlic oil, the recipe of which is known only to a limited number of artisans in the company. The product has been well received by customers, who can enjoy the taste of the restaurant at home.
The company continues to make improvements and conduct research on a daily basis, and perhaps the unchanged deliciousness of its products is born from its passion for research.

Local Guide Comment
It opens at 10:30 a.m., making it a good place for an early lunch. There is also a wide selection of souvenirs, so you can take your delicious memories home with you.
Kurotei Shimodori Branch
  • Address 1-7-14 Shimodori, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto MAP
  • Direction 5 min. walk from "Tsurimachi-suji" streetcar stop.
  • Business Hours 10:30 - 21:00 (L.O. 20:30), Saturday - 23:30 (LO 23:00)
  • Closed Wednesday
  • TEL 096-321-6202
  • Parking None

One of the original Kumamoto ramen stores. A cup of ramen with a distinctly clean flavor.

The standard
The standard "Ousama Ramen" is 800 yen. The noodles are boiled to the core to ensure a good match with the soup.

Founded in 1954, it is a long-established shop that can be said to be the origin of Kumamoto ramen. The soup is based on pork bones, chicken bones, and vegetables slowly simmered together. By carefully removing excess fat and scum, the soup has a strong flavor, yet is clean and free of any cloying taste.
Two types of garlic, fried and roasted, are used, which is a characteristic of Kumamoto ramen. The soup is layered with the rich flavor of garlic and intertwined with slightly thin homemade noodles, creating an exquisite harmony with each bite.

The atmosphere of the Showa period (1926-1989) adds to the deliciousness.

In addition to counter seats and table seats, there is a small tatami room in the back.
In addition to counter seats and table seats, there is a small tatami room in the back.

The restaurant moved to its current location three years after its establishment. The well-maintained restaurant has the atmosphere of the good old Showa period, and you can feel the atmosphere of the time when the restaurant was established.
Looking at the menu, one can find a variety of unique and unusual dishes such as "natto ramen," "pizza-style ramen" with cheese, and "tankei-men," a light dish made with chicken stock. While being a long-established shop that continues to preserve the tradition, its attitude of continually challenging itself to create new delicacies may be the way to further develop the history and culture of Kumamoto ramen.

Local Guide Comment
This ramen shop is said to have the longest history in Kumamoto City. The owner is very attentive and speaks in a friendly manner, saying things like, "I opened my store when ramen was called shinasoba.
Komurasaki
  • Address 8-16 Kamidori-machi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 5 min. walk from "Tsurimachi-suji" streetcar stop.
  • Business Hours 11:00-16:00(L.O.15:30), 18:00-22:00(L.O.21:30)
  • Closed Year-end and New Year's holidays
  • TEL 096-325-8972
  • Parking None

Born in Kumamoto and raised around the world. A leading figure in the Kumamoto ramen world breaks new ground!

The classic
The classic "Ajisen Ramen" is 860 yen. In addition, the "Kaiten Ramen," which recreates the taste of the restaurant's original ramen, is also available for 900 yen.

Ajisen Ramen" began in 1968 in a small store with a floor space of only 7 tsubo. Ajisen Ramen" is a classic menu item that combines the aromatic pork bone broth with secret Senjiki oil and chunky, medium-thick noodles, and the savory flavor of fried garlic chips. The flavor is now loved not only in Kumamoto, but also in more than 700 restaurants in 14 countries in Japan and abroad. In April 2023, "Ajisen World" will open by reimporting the popular menu items from around the world.

You can taste the ramen that has been popular in restaurants around the world, including China and Italy.

Because of the location, there are many foreign Guest/customers, and each seat is equipped with a tablet for ordering!
Because of the location, there are many foreign Guest/customers, and each seat is equipped with a tablet for ordering!

In addition to Kumamoto ramen, the menu features a variety of international ramen dishes, such as Chinese "Maojia Beef Ramen," Singapore's "Volcano Ramen," and Italy's "Tomato Ramen. The authentic taste, which can be offered only because we have been making ramen in many countries around the world, has been well received by the locals.
The menu also includes local delicacies such as "Taiheiyen" and "Akagyu Gyoza" made with beef from Kumamoto Prefecture, which is unique to Kumamoto. It is a major newcomer in the ramen world, visited by men and women of all ages from all over the world.

Local Guide Comment
We recommend the "Tom Yam Ramen" which has one shrimp on it. The pak choi and green lemon go perfectly with the sour soup. The restaurant is located on the second floor of HAB@, the same building as OMO5 Kumamoto by Hoshino Resorts.
Ajisen World
  • Address HAB@2F, 5-1 Tetori-Honcho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 2 min. walk from "Tsurimachi-suji" streetcar station.
  • Business Hours 11:00-22:30 (L.O.21:30)
  • Closed January 1
  • TEL 096-273-7700
  • Parking None

It tastes even better after a few drinks. Simple ramen loved by Kumamoto residents.

Ramen
Ramen" 900 yen. The noodles are finished with a generous sprinkling of roasted garlic.

This popular restaurant enjoys great popularity among Kumamoto residents as a place to enjoy ramen after a long day of drinking. The main store, originally located in downtown Kumamoto City, will be relocated to the neighboring town of Kikuyo in 2022, but now the Kumamoto Station branch, which opened in 2019, is always crowded with locals and tourists who can enjoy its flavor.
Ramen" is a soup made of pork and chicken bones. The pork bone broth has been cooked since the establishment of the restaurant, and fresh pork bone and chicken bone broth cooked on the same day is added to create a perfect balance in concentration. The result is a refreshing soup with a clean aftertaste that makes you want to finish off your meal.

Conveniently located in the Kumamoto Station Building. The easy accessibility makes it a popular place to stop by.

The restaurant has only a counter with 13 seats. On the table are pickled garlic in soy sauce and red ginger to add to ramen.
The restaurant has only a counter with 13 seats. On the table are pickled garlic in soy sauce and red ginger to add to ramen.

Because the restaurant is located in a station building, there is no end to the number of customers, even outside of core hours. The open atmosphere with no doors between stores makes it easy to stop by.
It has long been favored as the last stop for those who love to drink. A bowl of ramen with the aroma of roasted garlic sprinkled generously on the finish is a delicious dish that will soak into the five organs after a night of drinking. For lunch, dinner, or to end the day, why not enjoy a taste of this popular restaurant that needs no explanation from the locals?

Local Guide Comment
The topping of grilled rose dried seaweed doubles the synergistic effect of the flavor. The Kumamoto Station branch is located in the station's commercial Property "Higo Yokamon Market" and has several ramen stores adjacent to it.
Tengaeten Kumamoto Station
  • Address 3-15-30 Kasuga, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture Higo Yokamon Market 1F MAP
  • Direction Directly connected to JR Kumamoto Station
  • Business hours 11:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
  • Closed No holidays
  • TEL 096-342-6856
  • Parking Charged

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
Return to article top
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.