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    Bib Gourmand

    Ippuku Ramen

    いっぷくラーメン

    Local Favorite
    Shop Photo

    Best for

    Founded in 1984 and awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in the 2018 Kumamoto guide, this roadside shop along the Hamasen Bypass makes its own fresh egg noodles daily from contract farm eggs. The kitchen simmers whole pork heads and leg bones into a thick, gelatinous tonkotsu topped with dark roasted garlic oil (mayu). Alongside classic Kumamoto tonkotsu, the shop prepares a crystal-clear salt ramen boiled from 100% heritage Amakusa Daio chicken bones.

    山・マー・醤麺 (San-ma-jan-men) at Ippuku Ramen
    Order This

    山・マー・醤麺 (San-ma-jan-men)

    Kumamoto Tonkotsu & Mayu
    Amakusa Daio Shio Chintan
    In-house fresh egg noodles (自家製たまご麺)
    Thick egg noodles (山マー醤麺)
    Up to ¥999 lunch · ¥1,000–¥1,999 dinner

    Good to know & entry protocol

    The shop won a Michelin Bib Gourmand alongside its downtown sister shop, Maruichi Shokudo. If you want something other than heavy tonkotsu, order the Amakusa Daio Shio Ramen (¥850), brewed from Kumamoto heritage chicken. Wednesday services end at 16:00 with no dinner shift.

    Operational note: Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient in Minami-ku, Kumamoto; house-made dark garlic oil tonkotsu alongside delicate Amakusa Daio heritage chicken salt broth; parking lot on site; table and counter seating; cash payment
    Kids welcome
    Counter seating

    Location

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    221-1 Taijima, Minami-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto (熊本県熊本市南区田迎町大字田井島221-1)

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    What to expect

    Noodles

    In-house fresh egg noodles (自家製たまご麺)
    Thick egg noodles (山マー醤麺)

    Broth

    Kumamoto Tonkotsu & Mayu
    Amakusa Daio Shio Chintan

    Typical price

    Up to ¥999 lunch · ¥1,000–¥1,999 dinner

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    Recommended order

    山・マー・醤麺 (San-ma-jan-men)

    Located off the Hamasen Bypass across from Youme Town Hamasen, 2.2 km south of Minami-Kumamoto Station. Take a 10-minute taxi from JR Minami-Kumamoto Station, or board a Kumamoto Bus from Sakuramachi Bus Terminal to the Taijima stop (6-minute walk). A dedicated customer parking lot wraps around the building. Seating includes counter stools, tables, and a raised tatami booth for families.

    Getting there

    221-1 Taijima, Minami-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto (熊本県熊本市南区田迎町大字田井島221-1)

    25 min from Minami-Kumamoto

    JR Hohi Main Line

    Hours

    Mon–Tue, Thu–Fri 11:00–16:00 & 18:00–22:00. Wed 11:00–16:00. Sat–Sun 11:00–22:00. Irregular holidays.

    Closed: Irregular holidays (Wednesdays lunch only)

    Queue & entry protocol

    The shop won a Michelin Bib Gourmand alongside its downtown sister shop, Maruichi Shokudo. If you want something other than heavy tonkotsu, order the Amakusa Daio Shio Ramen (¥850), brewed from Kumamoto heritage chicken. Wednesday services end at 16:00 with no dinner shift.

    Ticketing & operational notice: Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient in Minami-ku, Kumamoto; house-made dark garlic oil tonkotsu alongside delicate Amakusa Daio heritage chicken salt broth; parking lot on site; table and counter seating; cash payment

    How to Order
    Native Japanese audio

    This shop likely uses a ticket machine (食券機 / kenbaiki). Buy your ticket before sitting down.

    Order your bowl

    これをください

    Kore o kudasai (This one, please)

    Customise your noodles
    麺かためでMen katame de (firm noodles)
    麺やわらかめでMen yawarakame de (soft noodles)
    替え玉くださいKaedama kudasai (extra noodles)
    Useful phrases
    おいしい！Oishii! — Delicious!
    お会計お願いしますOkaikei onegai shimasu — Check, please
    ごちそうさまでしたGochisousama deshita — Thank you for the meal (said when leaving)
    大盛りでOomori de — Large portion, please
    少なめでSukuname de — Smaller portion, please

    Allergy card

    Select your restrictions. Show the generated card to restaurant staff.

    Need spoken Japanese audio and offline dietary cards?Japan Food Allergy & Celiac App →

    Questions about Ippuku Ramen

    What is the nearest station to Ippuku Ramen?
    Minami-Kumamoto, about a 25-minute walk away. Minami-Kumamoto is served by JR Hohi Main Line.
    What should I order at Ippuku Ramen?
    山・マー・醤麺 (San-ma-jan-men). The kitchen works in Kumamoto Tonkotsu & Mayu and Amakusa Daio Shio Chintan. Noodles: in-house fresh egg noodles (自家製たまご麺) and thick egg noodles (山マー醤麺).
    How much does ramen cost at Ippuku Ramen?
    Lunch runs Up to ¥999 and dinner ¥1,000–¥1,999.
    When is Ippuku Ramen open?
    Mon–Tue, Thu–Fri 11:00–16:00 & 18:00–22:00. Wed 11:00–16:00. Sat–Sun 11:00–22:00. Irregular holidays. Closed Irregular holidays (Wednesdays lunch only).
    What should I know before visiting Ippuku Ramen?
    Seating is at the counter and children are welcome.