Featured in the Michelin Guide! " ICHIGEN " is a ramen shop representing Saga Prefecture that uses 100% pure pork bones.

• Table of Contents
• What is the famous "ICHIGEN "?
• Access to ICHIGEN
• ICHIGEN's Commitment
• The most recommended dish is "ICHIGEN Ramen + Seaweed"
• Ordering Method and Manners
• A word from Chef Kenichi Uchida

What is the famous "ICHIGEN "?

He trained at Ramen Motomura(formerly Ikkyuken branch), a restaurant that weaves the history of Saga ramen, and founded the restaurant in 1998.

The chef proclaims that " pure tonkotsu ramen can be found in Saga, " and is a true ramen craftsman who works with the kama every day in order to share the deliciousness of " Saga ramen " and the wonderfulness of " Saga Ichiban Harvested Nori " with as many people as possible.

There is a line at the store every day, and many people gather to enjoy this taste . In order to spread the word about Saga ramen all over the country, the ramen is regularly sold out online, and it is a huge success. The boxes are delivered with a warm message written by the head chef, Uchida, and are sent with his heartfelt message, which shows his personality.

But first, I want to experience the real Saga ramen while experiencing the live atmosphere on site.

If you visit Saga, be sure to try ICHIGEN's punchy, yet soulful, comforting tonkotsu ramen! (Photo: ICHIGEN Ramen)

What is Saga Ramen?

The history of Saga ramen can be traced back to Ramen Motomura, where Chef Uchida trained, and goes back to Ikkyuken and then to Sankyu, one of the birthplaces of Kurume ramen. The tonkotsu ramen that originated from Sankyu is the root of Saga ramen, but it is the one and only ramen in Saga. The noodles are slightly thick and straight, like those in Kurume and Kumamoto, but are softer. There is no custom of ordering extra noodles, and the portions are large. The soup is tonkotsu, but it is similar to Kurume ramen, and is low in salt and fat. The biggest feature is that it is often topped with a raw egg instead of a boiled egg.

Access to ICHIGEN

18 minutes by car from JR Saga Station , 9 minutes by car from Saga Airport , 30 minutes by car from Saga Yamato IC

Saga Prefecture is rich in historical tourist attractions . (See Asobo Saga, the official Saga Prefecture tourism website.)

The No. 1 nearby tourist spot is Yoshinogari Historical Park . Spanning Kanzaki City and Yoshinogari Town, it is the remains of Japan's largest moated settlement from the Yayoi period, surrounded by a 2.5km long moat. Valuable materials and information are collected here, and it has been designated as a special national historic site. (Exit the Nagasaki Expressway Higashi-Sefuri IC and head south on Route 385 for about 5 minutes; from ICHIGEN it is a 30-minute drive.)

" Higashiyoka Tidal Flats Visitor Center Higashisasu " Higashiyoka Tidal Flats is home to a diverse range of creatures that are recognized worldwide. This is a facility where you can experience its value and charm. There is also an observation tower 13 meters above ground that offers a panoramic view of the Ariake Sea. (13 minutes by car from Saga Airport: 13 minutes by car from ICHIGEN.)

Also, during the autumn foliage season, there are many other sights to see, such as Kunen-an (37 minutes by car from ICHIGEN) and the Shichimenso flowers on the Higashiyoga tidal flats (14 minutes by car from ICHIGEN).

Photo courtesy of the Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation(from left, Yoshinogari Historical Park, Shichimenso on the Higashiyoga tidal flats, and Kunenan in autumn)

ICHIGEN's Commitment

The best thing about it is the pure pork bone soup!

Speaking of Saga ramen, if we go back to where Uchida trained, we can trace its origins back to Kurume ramen. The unique Saga ramen was developed based on the "Yobimoeshi method" that follows that tradition. After much trial and error, Uchida created the one and only "ICHIGEN" soup.

The soup, cooked in a hagama pot, makes the most of the pork's flavor and is punchy yet somehow comforting, which is its greatest appeal.

The exquisite noodles you should try are the polar opposite of Hakata ramen

The noodles are medium-thick and straight. There are no extra noodles or firm noodles. Saga ramen is best enjoyed on its soft side! The soft noodles are coated with their famous soup, which flows into your mouth when you slurp them! It's no exaggeration to say that this balance is irresistibly good and that you can only experience this here.

In the middle is a raw egg

Usually, a soft-boiled egg or boiled egg is placed in the center position, but here in Saga, a raw egg stands out, shining brightly. It neutralizes the richness of the pork bone broth, adds mellowness and richness, and also helps the noodles and soup to blend together, making it an essential ingredient in Saga ramen.

The most recommended dish is "ICHIGEN Ramen + Seaweed"

My recommendation is "ICHIGEN Ramen" with nori seaweed included in the name of the restaurant . The best part is dipping the nori seaweed in the tonkotsu soup while eating the hearty char siu! You can enjoy it in various ways, such as wrapping the char siu or the noodles in nori. If you want to eat your fill, I recommend white rice, which also tastes great when topped with nori soaked in soup, as you would expect from Ichigen and Ariake nori, which Saga Prefecture is proud of . It goes without saying that their proud soup goes well with white rice.

If you're not sure which one to choose , don't hesitate to go for this one! This is a product I'd like to loudly proclaim.

Ordering Method and Manners

Here we will introduce how to order and proper etiquette.

How to line up and points to note

When there is a line in front of a store, you will have to wait in line. There are a few things to keep in mind when doing so.

1. Line up at the back.

2. Line up once everyone is present.

3. Don't interrupt.

4. Don't block the entrances of other shops or homes.

5. Don't spread out too much on the road. Line up in a straight line.

Please follow the rules so that everyone can have a good time.

How to order

There are two main ways to order at ramen restaurants in Japan: buying a ticket from a ticket vending machine, or looking at the menu and ordering verbally.

At ICHIGEN, you first purchase a ticket from the ticket machine . Once you've been shown to your seat by a staff member, sit down and when they ask for your order, hand over your ticket. They don't offer extra noodles, so if you want more noodles , make sure to buy a large serving ticket in advance.

A word from Chef Kenichi Uchida

SAGA Ramen ICHIGEN

840-2204 925-1 Nishikoga, Kawazoe-cho, Saga City, Saga Prefecture

He trained at Ramen Motomura (formerly Ikkyuken Nabeshima), a restaurant that weaves the history of Saga ramen, and founded the restaurant i...