Hakata Genki Ippai!! (博多元気一杯!!) Fukuoka

Awards

OAD

Japanese Casual Restaurants 2024, 27

All OAD Japanese Casual in Fukuoka All OAD Japanese Casual in Japan

Ramen Beast

Ramen Beast, #3.75

All Ramen Beast in Fukuoka All Ramen Beast in Japan

Ratings from the web

Tabelog

3.74

Chef

Various

Cuisine

Ramen

• 2021
• 2019
• 2018

8 / 10

Ramen at Genki Ippai (元気一杯)

on 22 Feb 2021

by Abram Plaut

Recommended bowl: The blue bucket

You'll find neither sign nor shop hours posted outside Genki Ippai, just a blue bucket that master Doi-san hangs up to indicate when the shop is open. For years Doi-san enforced an eccentric set of rules, which were posted inside the shop. Included were a strict no photo policy, and a rigid set of guidelines outlining the order in which you were supposed to eat your ramen and spicy pickles. No talking aloud about ramen or ingredients, and no asking the staff questions... More

Recommended bowl: The blue bucket

You'll find neither sign nor shop hours posted outside Genki Ippai, just a blue bucket that master Doi-san hangs up to indicate when the shop is open. For years Doi-san enforced an eccentric set of rules, which were posted inside the shop. Included were a strict no photo policy, and a rigid set of guidelines outlining the order in which you were supposed to eat your ramen and spicy pickles. No talking aloud about ramen or ingredients, and no asking the staff questions about the ramen. Break the rules once and you could be blacklisted.

Alas, in early 2018 the Doi-san decided to do away with the old system and photos of your bowl are now allowed. The master's son Genki explains that the old rules were intended to allow each customer to enjoy their ramen in peace. However, in the age of social media, everyone wants to take photos, and the staff felt prohibiting this would be a disservice. People can now enjoy their bowl as they see fit, as long as they don't bother other customers.

Aside from the hype, this is one of the more legit and unique bowls of tonkotsu in Fukuoka — a creamy, wholesome, milky, almost buttery, white tonkotsu soup. The shop is like a box; there's really nothing to do but focus on your ramen. Eat half of your bowl and then add some spice from the counter (pickled takana vegetables when available, otherwise spice powder). For many, a must-hit spot when in Kyushu. Less

6 / 10

Lunch at 元気一杯 Genki Ippai

on 28 Mar 2019

by Gerhard Huber

Go for the simple ramen and add extra curry noodles to it. Once you ate half the original bowl add the curry noodles which changes entirely the favour of the ramen.
This way you get two dishes for the price of one.

7 / 10

The Blue Bucket Ramen in Fukuoka, lunch at 元気一杯 (Genki Ippai)

on 11 May 2018

by Gerhard Huber

Second visit within a few days, this time with my son which made the communication much easier.
This time the Chef insisted that we try to add a special curry sauce to the ramen once we had eaten about half of it.
It completely changed the nature of their ramen. It had a very interesting taste, however I personally prefer the original taste.

8 / 10

Tonkotsu ramen, lunch at 元気一杯 (Genki Ippai)

on 09 May 2018

by Gerhard Huber

One of the best Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen not only in Fukuoka but in Japan.
The Master Chef thawed since his son joined the business and explained to him that it does not hurt to be nice to the customer. One even can take a picture!