ラーメン万歳！

Besides having supper at a 屋台 (yatai) in 福岡 (Fukuoka), one of the other must tries in 福岡 is 博多ラーメン (Hakata Ramen) or 豚骨ラーメン (Tonkotsu Ramen). Essentially this is a pork-bone broth Ramen so the soup is cloudy and fairly white as compared to the other variants like 醤油ラーメン (Shoyu Ramen) or みそラーメン (Miso Ramen). The "whitest" (and perhaps oldest variant) is 塩ラーメン (Shio Ramen). 博多ラーメン, like how お好み焼き (Okonomiyaki) and たこ焼き (Takoyaki) are local delights of 大阪 (Osaka), is not only popular in the south but is enjoyed all over Japan.

I've personally tried it at a 屋台 (my attempt of killing 2 birds with one stone) and needless to say, it's absolutely delicious! The entire experience of eating at a 屋台 was so exhilarating that I took 2 shots of it and none of them turn out well. This is the better of the 2:

And I had it at this 屋台 near 天神駅 (Tenjin Station) in 博多 (Hakata):

The 天神駅 vicinity is filled with plenty of 屋台 so you can take your pick. It's easy to tell which are the good ones judging by either, the amount of customers that it has or the number of people queuing to get a seat. Oh apparently there are seasons which the 屋台 operates. So you have to go at the right time of the year. (FYI, I went in December.)

Anyway, there's no need for Singaporeans to fly up north just to get a taste of this variant of ラーメン. Come October this year, you my fellow countrymen (and women) can try 博多ラーメン right smack in the middle of Orchard Road at the Mandarin Gallery. This is because 一風堂 (Ippudo) Ramen is opening up a branch in Singapore! (Thanks to lainy for the news!)

My first encounter with 一風堂 (believe it or not) is not in Japan but rather, in New York, New York. Every time when I'm at St Marks Place, I'd definitely pass by the store but for one reason or another, I never ventured in. When Elaine told me about this yesterday (or was it the day before?), the name was so familiar and I asked if it's near NYU and bingo! I've got it right. I'm not boasting about my photographic memory but rather, how much an impression a store can make just by walking pass it. I've not tried it so I can't tell you about the quality but judging for the images on this page, I think it's definitely worth a try. Heck, If I'm in Singapore, I'd definitely go and wack it. :)

And who says that when we, overseas Singaporeans, are not in Singapore, we're not updated about the developments in Singapore?