Menya Naminooto

Menya Naminooto Hakata is a non-tonkotsu ramen shop located in a suburban area of Kamimuta, Hakata-ku, just off the Handobashi IC of the Fukuoka Urban Expressway. Opened in February 2020 by an owner with 26 years of experience at Ippudo, this is a rare establishment in Hakata that offers Chintan-kei (clear soup) ramen in salt, shoyu, miso, and Tori-Paitan (chicken white soup) varieties. Locally, it's often introduced as the place for Shio Ramen (salt-based ramen) in Hakata. The signature Shio Ramen features a double soup made from a delicate animal-based broth simmered slowly with chicken bones and vegetables, combined with a seafood dashi from dried sardines and bonito flakes. The refreshing aroma of yuzu peel and a hint of chili oil as a secret ingredient add a subtle spiciness, resulting in a delicate yet profound flavor. The noodles are medium-thick, smooth, chewy, flat, and straight, with a firm yet springy texture that blends perfectly with the soup. Toppings such as generously sized, lean and meaty chashu, a perfectly soft-boiled Ajitama (marinated egg), plump wontons, and chicken meatballs (tsukune) are also impeccably crafted. The diverse menu includes Shoyu Ramen for 900 yen, Shio Ajitama Ramen for 1050 yen, Tori Shio Paitan Ramen for 950-1000 yen, and a seasonal winter-only Miso Ramen for 1000 yen, offering options across seasons and genres. The gyoza are garlic-free and lightly seasoned, and the gyoza and meat miso rice set for 250 yen, available on weekdays from 11 AM to 3 PM, offers outstanding value for money. On the table, you'll find complimentary Gari (pickled ginger) and garlic-pickled kombu, hidden specialties perfect for refreshing your palate or changing the flavor. The complimentary water is also refreshing lemon water, and the bright, glass-fronted interior, much like a cafe, creates an inviting atmosphere for solo women diners or families. For those tired of tonkotsu or who prefer not to eat it, this shop serves as an important alternative during their stay in Hakata.