Hakata Ramen ShinShin Tenjin Honten

ShinShin's blue sign is part of Tenjin's recent ramen history. This branch opened opposite Ankokuji temple in October 2003, around five minutes on foot from Tenjin subway station. With thirty seats, it retains a noodle-shop scale despite the brand's expansion. This is the flagship, distinct from the PARCO and Hakata Station branches.

The broth combines pork bones, Aritadori chicken carcasses from Saga and aromatic Kyushu vegetables. Long simmering and careful skimming aim for a flavor without harsh notes, while the chashu pork belly is cooked separately in the house's soy-based sauce. Developed with Kawabe Shokuhin, the noodles are finer still than those used in many Hakata ramen shops and are designed to work with this broth.

The basic Hakata ShinShin ramen is enough to get to know the recipe; chashu ramen adds more meat. Kaedama supplies another serving of noodles for the broth left in the bowl, rather than requiring a second full bowl. Champon and other noodle preparations also appear on the menu, giving returning diners something beyond the best-known specialty to explore.