Ichigen: Discover Rich, Gentle Tonkotsu Ramen in Saga

One afternoon, I had some errands in Saga, so I thought—why not also look for something delicious? That’s when I remembered this article:

Ichigen in Kawasoemachi, Saga City: Ultimate tonkotsu with punch and deep flavor / Menmusubi

Ichigen is a Saga ramen shop awarded the top “Chikappa!!” rating by Menmusubi, a dedicated noodle website.
That settled it—I had to try it.

My errand was near Saga Station, and Ichigen is about 20 minutes by bus from there. But buses only come about once an hour.

I checked the Saga City Bus website and booked my train to match the bus schedule.

Aside from Ichigen, this area is mostly fields, factories, and houses. Still, after eating there, I felt it was totally worth the trip.

Ichigen, a popular ramen shop on the outskirts of Saga. Rich yet mellow broth, friendly staff—absolutely worth the journey. Loved the old karaoke place next door too. pic.twitter.com/nf22H19Ko5

— Shotaro Ushijima (@ushigyu) September 22, 2018

If you love ramen, this is definitely a shop to add to your list!

Ichigen: A Famous Saga Ramen Spot About 20 Minutes from Saga Station, Surrounded by Fields & Homes

From Saga Station Bus Center, take the No. 23 bus toward Inuidou / Owatama for about 20 minutes, and get off at Nishikawaso Elementary School Mae.

↓ This is the bus stop for the return trip

Since buses only run about once an hour each way, be sure to check the schedule.
They also have parking, so driving might be easier.

Here’s the road toward Ichigen from the bus stop. As you can see, it’s mostly fields, factories, and houses—pretty quiet countryside.

After about a three-minute walk, you’ll spot Ichigen right next to a charming karaoke snack bar advertising “12 songs for one coin.”

Look for the bright orange sign. There’s parking in front of the shop and across the street.

There were chairs outside, probably for lines. On the door was a helpful diagram showing where the ticket machine was so you wouldn’t get confused.
(I forgot to photograph the machine.)

Because it was right after opening, I got seated immediately. The staff—especially the cheerful, attentive lady—left a great impression. The chef and other workers were also warm and welcoming.
Inside, there’s an L-shaped counter and tatami seating, fairly spacious.

Here they were vigorously stirring a huge pot of simmering pork bones—this is where that delicious broth comes from.

I ordered the tonkotsu ramen with raw egg and a side of gyoza.

A family with kids came in while I waited, and the staff warmly told the slightly embarrassed mom,
“Don’t worry at all! If your kids grow up eating our ramen, maybe they’ll stay fans for life,” (rough translation—it was said in full-on Saga dialect).
Such good people here.

Ichigen’s Tonkotsu Ramen: Gentle, Rich Pork Flavor That Had Me Finishing Every Last Drop

Here’s my ramen with egg. The soup covered the noodles completely.

It’s not common to see raw egg in tonkotsu ramen, but it seemed recommended here, so I tried it.

I always start with the soup. Let’s see…

Rather than a sharp punch, the creamy pork flavor gently filled my mouth and lingered deliciously to the very end. Not a heavy hit up front, but it stayed flavorful throughout.

The char siu was lightly seasoned to complement the broth—thin but firm, full of savory quality.

The noodles were medium-thin, slightly thicker than typical Hakata style. I love thin noodles, but these had a nice chew that paired beautifully with the broth.

The gyoza on the side were crisp and flawless.

About halfway through, I broke the egg yolk—adding a new layer of richness. I tried not to stir too much so I could enjoy both the pure broth and the creamy eggy version.

I almost never finish all the soup in ramen—but this time, the mellow yet lasting flavor had me spooning up every last drop. Incredible.

Final Notes

It’s in a spot that’s hard to visit frequently, but between the wonderful service and cozy atmosphere, it was absolutely worth the trip. No wonder it’s so popular.

If you’re ever in Saga or traveling between Fukuoka and Nagasaki, definitely stop by.

If you love ramen, this is a shop you absolutely must check out!