Tweet

The classic tonkotsu ramen shop Ichiran have finally landed in America, opening their first store in Manhattan, New York on 19th October 2016. Following on from their Hong Kong branch, which opened in 2013, their overseas expansion has now reached a second country. The New York restaurant, much like its Hong Kong counterpart, offers the same taste as you find in Japan.

And with the "Aji Shuchu Counters (Concentrate on the Flavor Booths)," the "Order System," and the "Kaedama (Second Serving) System" all remaining intact, there's no doubt that American diners can enjoy the unique Ichiran experience! Following on from the example set by "Ichiran no Mori" which is in Itoshima, Fukuoka-ken, there is a factory attached to the New York store, where the soup and noodles are produced, meaning that visitors can be safe and secure in the knowledge that they can eat fresh, tasty ramen.

The popularity of ramen overseas is increasing year-by-year. Immensely popular with people both inside and outside of Japan, the ramen specialists Ichiran, whose headquarters are based in Fukuoka, have now opened a total of 65 stores at home and abroad.But they're not just expanding overseas, even in their home town of Fukuoka they continue to set-up new stores, with a branch opening in Fukuoka Airport on 8th December 2016. Of all the Ichiran restaurants and shops, it seems that this is the first inside an airport. Located after the security check, close to departure gate 3, in Fukuoka Airport Domestic Terminal, tourists and business people alike can enjoy a bowl of ramen right up until their flight departs.

In addition, the souvenir store "Dazaifu Sando - Omiyage Senmon-ten (speciality store)-," which could be found on the road that leads up to the Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine has been refurbished and was re-opened as the "Dazaifu Sando branch" on 22nd December 2016, and now also serves ramen.

As the only branch that has enshrined the god of learning, "Dazaifu Sando-ten" also serves limited edition "Gokaku (pass e.g. an exam) Ramen." The Gokaku (gokaku can mean either "five-sided" or "to pass") bowls they use feature a design that includes symbols, which are synonymous with Dazaifu, such as "plums" and "ema (small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers)."

A sign of good luck, the soup has been made so that it is smooth in your mouth when sipping. Tied in with passing exams, the "Gokaku-men (pass noodles)" have been made twice as long as normal and measure 59cm (59 is pronounced go-kyu, which sounds like the verb "to pass"). At the "Dazaifu Sando branch" Ichiran's mindset is clear... They want to help you take a step in the direction of passing your exams. A great deal of time and effort goes into their dishes, so make sure you enjoy a bowl of Ichiran's ramen at one of their many restaurants! (Editorial Dept.：kurocco)