Ichiran vs. Ippudo: Choosing Between Fukuoka Ramen Dynasties

 

Sometime long ago, the customary Chinese noodle soup, often referred to as lamian, got itself caught in the middle of Japanese enthusiasm. Thus creating, or perhaps perfecting, the idea of soup as supper.

The globally renowned dish known as ramen redefined what soup was meant to say. And, just like that, the concept of lamian was stolen, remolded, and mastered – like all great artists of the past had done. This time it was Japan, and the canvas is now the entire world, but there’s no better tasting point than the birth-country.

Tasty Tonkotsu

Ramen has birthed many sub-categorizations since its invention. The most common, however, being shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), miso (soybean paste), and tonkotsu (pork bone) – the latter being the star here.

Born in Fukuoka, tonkotsu ramen eventually hit the big time with its national franchise shops Ichiran and Ippudo. While these chain dynasties compete with one another, they’re both essentially selling the same soup. That’s right – these ramen royal families both agree that tonkotsu is king. With nearly 200 stores between the two of them across Japan, several of them in Tokyo, people tend to agree.

So, how do you tell them apart? What makes them unique from one another, and why should you choose one over the other? That’s what we’re here to discuss, and hopefully, we can help you decide on the one that best fits your personality.

Ichiran’s Customized Specialty in Quiet Cubbies

Ichiran is an experience all its own. It’s as unique as it is guaranteed to be delicious.

Did you forget to order that side half-boiled egg or kikurage mushrooms? There’s an order sheet for that at your booth too, and all of this done without ever having to share eye contact with an employee. You will remain a mystery to one another, and Ichiran claims that this turns customer focus away from the stress of interaction and solely on the flavour.

The company refers to these private booths as “flavour concentration booths” – allowing customers to eat without distractions or the worry of watchful eyes. It’s only you and the soup, or at least until you want kaedama (noodle refill). In this case, just like how the soup is delivered, all you will see are the hands that deliver them - never the person.

The exchange from cook to customer is always a fascinating one. While the soup is legendary, with or without this interesting theme, Ichiran offers what it offers and nothing else. A beautiful bowl of tonkotsu ramen is all that’s on the menu aside from add-ons, so you shouldn’t come expecting to find a lengthy menu. It’s one bowl to rule them all.

Did we mention that Ichiran is open twenty-four hours? We’ll just leave this here.

Ippudo’s Bold Flavors and Seasonal Options

Immediately, walking in, you’ll recognize the difference.

Ippudo is a wide-open shop with counter space and tables alike. With energetic jazz music playing regularly throughout the shop, the theme mixes the franchise’s history with the desire to mingle – practically on the opposite spectrum of Ichiran’s vibe. Ippudo is far more suitable for, say, an after-work co-worker hang.

Like any restaurant, you’ll order face to face here, and the menu is relatively extensive. However, options typically revolve around the three main tonkatsu bowls: the shiramaru (a simple, mostly unaltered tonkotsu ramen), the akamaru (a tonkotsu with a dab of spicy miso paste and garlic oil), and the karakamen (a spicy tonkotsu that often comes with both a soup spoon and a sifting spoon for chasing down the ground pork).

There’s also gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) on the menu and a variety of rice bowls. Boiled eggs and nori (dried seaweed) are also available to further customize the cuisine.

Unlike Ichiran, Ippudo also offers seasonal options to the mix. In the warmer months, as is common in Japan, tsukemen (noodles to be dipped in a side soup) options hit the menu. In the more frigid times of the year, more miso ramen options become available. Occasionally, tonkotsu mixed with a dap of chocolate (don’t knock it ‘til you try it) becomes a choice. They get creative around here sometimes, ya know?

Before you know it, you’ll be forming allegiances to your favourite Ippudo bowl and defending its ideal taste with your friends and family. You may even leave with a t-shirt of said bowl. Hey, people do it. cough* TEAM AKAMARU!! *cough*

The Consensus

So, which one truly deserves one or two of your pre-outing hours?

The honest answer is both.

Ramen is the country’s cultural culmination of the past, present, and future poured through determination and into a bowl. The privilege of being in the presence of ramen royalty is just that – opportune. Seize the chance to try them both in their homeland. It’ll be a meal and experience worth remembering, so be sure to leave having tasted the regal ramen of Japan.

Dine With Us

Don’t stop at ramen! Join us on the tastiest trip of your life through our Culinary Japan tour. Itadakimasu!