Ramen · Practical guide
Ippudo Japan Guide for Tourists: Shiromaru vs. Akamaru, Free Spiced Sprouts & How to Order
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dining / Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen Restaurant Chain (Ippudo Official Website) |
| Store Count | Over 130 stores across major cities in Japan, plus over 140 global locations across 15+ countries (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Table/counter service; order via tabletop touchscreen tablet or verbally from staff; customize noodle firmness; pay at front register after eating |
| Membership Required? | No reservation, membership, or ID required |
| Approximate Price Range | Shiromaru Classic around ¥850–¥950, Akamaru Modern around ¥950–¥1,050, Karaka-men around ¥1,000+, Kaedama around ¥150, Hakata bite-sized gyoza around ¥450 tax-included (as of September 16, 2026; subject to revision) |
| Payment Methods | Varies by location; generally accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, Discover, UnionPay), transit IC cards, electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy, WAON, nanaco), and QR code payments (PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay) |
| Multilingual Support | Varies by location; multilingual physical menus (English, Chinese, Korean) available, and tabletop tablet order terminals feature multilingual language switching |
What it is
Ippudo, founded in Daimyo, Fukuoka in 1985 and operated by Chikaranomoto Holdings Co., Ltd., is the global pioneer of Hakata tonkotsu ramen with over 130 stores in Japan and more than 140 restaurants across 15 countries worldwide. Celebrated for transforming ramen into a modern, stylish dining experience, Ippudo is anchored by two signature creations: the silky, pure-pork Shiromaru Motoaji (Classic) and the richer, garlic-oil and spicy-miso infused Akamaru Shinaji (Modern). Unlike solo-booth ramen shops, Ippudo offers spacious counter and booth tables that comfortably welcome groups and families. With complimentary bottomless spicy marinated bean sprouts (Karashi Moyashi) and iced rooibos tea on every table, it delivers a deeply satisfying, accessible taste of Hakata noodle culture.
How to order
Dining at Ippudo is a relaxed table-service experience with post-meal payment:
- Enter and get seated: Wait at the entrance for staff to welcome you and escort your party to a counter seat or spacious booth table.
- Browse the menu or tablet: Pick up the picture menu or switch the tabletop ordering tablet to English, Chinese, or Korean.
- Choose your ramen style: Select between Shiromaru Motoaji (Classic mild tonkotsu, around ¥850–¥950 as of September 16, 2026), Akamaru Shinaji (Modern tonkotsu with fragrant garlic oil and red miso, around ¥950–¥1,050), or spicy Karaka-men. Add toppings like seasoned soft-boiled egg (Ajitama) or simmered pork belly (Chashu).
- *Select your noodle firmness (Katasa)*: Thin Hakata noodles cook in seconds. Choose your preferred firmness level:
- *Soft (Yawa)*
- *Normal (Futsu)*
- *Firm (Kata) — Recommended local standard*
- *Extra Firm (Barikata)*
- Enjoy free table appetizers and Rooibos Tea: While waiting, help yourself to the complimentary cold Rooibos tea (served instead of plain water), crunchy marinated spicy bean sprouts (Karashi Moyashi), pickled red ginger (beni-shoga), and fresh whole garlic cloves with a garlic press.
- Order Kaedama before finishing your soup: If you want more noodles, order a Kaedama (around ¥150 as of September 16, 2026) while you still have broth remaining.
- Pay at the register after your meal: When finished (no tipping is required in Japan), take your table bill slip to the register counter to pay.
What to order first
All signature selections below are verified on the Ippudo Official Website and row reference data (prices tax-included as of September 16, 2026):
- Shiromaru Motoaji (Shiromaru Classic): Ippudo's founding recipe—ultra-smooth, 18-hour simmered pork-bone dashi broth served with thin noodles, pork belly chashu, black fungus (kikurage), and scallions (around ¥850–¥950 as of September 16, 2026).
- Akamaru Shinaji (Akamaru Modern): An evolved tonkotsu bowl topped with dark roasted garlic fragrant oil (Koyu) and a dollop of spicy blended miso paste (Karamiso), creating a layered, aromatic depth (around ¥950–¥1,050 as of September 16, 2026).
- *Free Tabletop Spicy Bean Sprouts (Karashi Moyashi)*: Crunchy chilled bean sprouts seasoned with sesame oil and chili spice—unlimited and complimentary at every table.
- Hakata Hitokuchi Gyoza (Bite-Sized Dumplings): Crispy, pan-fried bite-sized pork dumplings served with spicy red yuzu pepper (yuzukosho) on the side (around ¥450 as of September 16, 2026).
- Kaedama (Noodle Refill): A fresh portion of boiled noodles (around ¥150 as of September 16, 2026) brought directly to your bowl.
Payment & practical info
Accepted payment methods and in-store amenities across Ippudo branches:
- Accepted Payment Methods: Varies by location; generally accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay), transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy, WAON, nanaco), and QR code apps (PayPay, d-barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY, Merpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay).
- Group and Family-Friendly Layouts: Unlike solo-cubicle ramen shops, Ippudo stores feature comfortable multi-person dining tables, making it ideal for groups traveling together or families with young children.
- Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping (dining services are excluded from tax exemption).
- Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Varies by location; power outlets are generally not provided at dining seats, though select mall locations offer facility Wi-Fi.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Not knowing the difference between Shiromaru and Akamaru: Shiromaru is pure, smooth, traditional tonkotsu broth; Akamaru has roasted black garlic oil and spicy miso added for a much richer, punchier flavor profile.
- Paying for bean sprouts: The spicy marinated bean sprouts (Karashi Moyashi) and whole garlic cloves on the table are 100% free—eat as much as you like as a pre-meal appetizer or noodle topping!
- Drinking all your broth before ordering Kaedama: Noodle refills (Kaedama) do not come with extra soup. Keep at least half your broth warm in the bowl before asking for a refill.
- Tipping staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan.
FAQ
Q1: How much does a meal cost at Ippudo? As of September 16, 2026, a bowl of Shiromaru Classic costs around ¥850–¥950, Akamaru Modern is around ¥950–¥1,050, and a side of bite-sized gyoza is around ¥450, bringing a full ramen-and-gyoza meal to roughly ¥1,300 to ¥1,600 tax-included.
Q2: What is the red tea served at the table? Instead of cold tap water, Ippudo serves complimentary chilled Rooibos tea—a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea that cleanses the palate after rich pork broth.
Q3: Can I pay with credit cards or Suica at Ippudo? Yes, payment methods vary slightly by store, but the vast majority of Ippudo locations accept international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, UnionPay), transit IC cards (Suica/PASMO), and smartphone QR code apps like PayPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.
Sources
- Ippudo Official Website: https://www.ippudo.com/ (Verified: 2026-09-16)
- Ippudo Official Store Locator: https://stores.ippudo.com/ (Verified: 2026-09-16)