Nankin Senryo Honten: The Birthplace of Kyushu Tonkotsu Ramen
Created date: 2026/10/08,
Update date: 2026/10/08
Step into history at Nankin Senryo Honten, a revered sanctuary founded in 1937, etched into legend as ‘the birthplace of Kyushu Tonkotsu Ramen.’ Discover the origins of Kyushu ramen with its revolutionary translucent, pre-white tonkotsu broth and bespoke hand-kneaded curly wavy noodles, thoroughly explained for international travelers.
Traveler's Quick Ramen Guide
Payment
Cash recommended (Ticket Vending Machine)
Order Style
Purchase ticket inside entrance before/at seating
Water & Service
Free self-service (water pitchers on counter)
🔰 4 Simple Steps to Enjoy Ramen in Japan
- 1. Buy Ticket (食券): Choose your bowl & extra toppings at the vending machine.
- 2. Hand Ticket: Sit down and place your ticket on the raised counter for the chef.
- 3. Customization: When asked for preferences, "Futsuu" means normal/standard taste.
- 4. Courtesy: Place your empty bowl on the upper counter and wipe your space with the cloth.
Table of Contents
Shop Overview
Features & Philosophy
- Founded in 1937, this legendary shop is hailed as “the birthplace of Kyushu Tonkotsu Ramen,” having pioneered the use of pork bones for broth in Kyushu – a culinary innovation that would spread across Hakata, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, and the entire region.
- Unlike the common cloudy, rich Kurume tonkotsu, Nankin Senryo Honten proudly preserves its original “translucent, light tonkotsu shoyu broth.” This historic soup, simmered gently to extract the essence of pork bones, masterfully blends the rich depth of Nagasaki Champon with the refined elegance of Tokyo/Yokohama shina soba.
- Diverging from Kyushu’s typical medium-thin straight craft noodles, the founder devised unique “house-made hand-kneaded medium-thick curly wavy noodles.” These noodles boast an exceptional ability to cling to the broth and are characterized by their delightful chewiness and pleasant springiness.
- Topped with finely chopped chashu (tender braised pork belly/loin slices), thinly sliced menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), nori (seaweed), and green onions, the ramen evokes a nostalgic charm, preserving the classic essence of a traditional Chuka Soba.
- As a living testament to ramen history, this legendary establishment is an essential pilgrimage for ramen researchers and history enthusiasts from across Japan.
Basic Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 福岡県久留米市野中町1357-15 |
| Access | Approx. 12-minute walk from Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line “Hanabatake Station,” approx. 6-minute drive from Nishitetsu Kurume Station. |
| Phone Number | 0942-22-3886 |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:30 PM) |
| Regular Holiday | Tuesdays (or the next weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday) |
| Special & Temporary Closures | Announced in-store |
| Seating & Facilities | 22 seats (counter, table, tatami-style raised seating), all seats non-smoking. |
| Smoking Policy | Entirely non-smoking |
| Parking | Available (approx. 8 spots on premises) |
| Official SNS | In-store information |
| Official Website | None |
| Other Gourmet Sites | Selected for Tabelog Ramen WEST Hyakumeiten (Top 100 Restaurants) |
Main Menu
| Recommendation | Category | Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ | Ramen | Ramen (Original Tonkotsu) | 650円 |
| ★ | Ramen | Chashu-men (Ramen with extra chashu) | 850円 |
| ★ | Ramen | Wonton-men (Ramen with wontons) | 800円 |
| - | Ramen | Large Ramen | 750円 |
| - | A La Carte | Gyoza (8 pieces) | 450円 |
| - | Rice Dish | Yakimeshi (Fried Rice) | 650円 |
Story & Background: Why This Shop Is Chosen
Roots & Philosophy
- The Dawn of Kyushu Tonkotsu : The journey began in 1937 when founder Tokuo Miyamoto, in a Kurume food stall, innovatively combined the pork bone-based broth of his hometown’s Nagasaki Champon with the refined Chuka Soba (Chinese noodles) he mastered during his training in Yokohama and Tokyo. This fusion birthed the very first tonkotsu ramen in Kyushu.
- The “Translucent Tonkotsu” Before the White Cloud : The characteristic cloudy white tonkotsu, achieved by vigorously boiling pork bones, was actually an accidental discovery by “Sankyu” in 1947. Nankin Senryo, however, meticulously preserves the earlier “clear tonkotsu broth.” This refined, amber-hued soup, devoid of greasiness yet brimming with the rich umami of pork bones, is a culinary heritage found nowhere else.
- The Tradition of Curly Noodles : While medium-thin straight craft noodles have become synonymous with Kyushu tonkotsu, Nankin Senryo steadfastly maintains its tradition of using hand-kneaded curly wavy noodles to this day.
Recommended Way to Enjoy
- First, Savor the Amber Broth : When your bowl arrives, take a moment to sip the golden-hued soup, distinctively different from typical tonkotsu. Experience the rich umami of pork bones, the crispness of the shoyu tare, and subtle notes of seafood and vegetables that unfold on your palate.
- Delight in the Texture of Hand-Kneaded Curly Noodles : As you slurp the house-made curly wavy noodles, they generously carry the soup, allowing you to fully appreciate their springy chewiness and the fragrant aroma of wheat.
- Drink to History, Down to the Last Drop : The ultimate pleasure at Nankin Senryo is to finish every last drop, reflecting on the prototype tonkotsu soup that first emerged in Kyushu over 80 years ago.
Points to Note When Visiting
- Distinct from Modern Cloudy Tonkotsu : Visitors arriving with a preconceived notion of “Kurume = rich, cloudy tonkotsu” might be surprised. To truly appreciate its historical significance, understand that this is the light, flavorful Chuka Soba, representing the “origin and prototype of Kyushu Tonkotsu.”
- Regarding the Food Stall : In addition to the main shop, the “Nankin Senryo Yatai” (food stall) may also operate at night along Meiji-dori near Nishitetsu Kurume Station (please confirm weather and operating days).
Summary: What Makes It Special
Nankin Senryo Honten stands as an indispensable “Mother of Kyushu Tonkotsu Ramen” in the annals of Japanese ramen history. With its clear tonkotsu broth and hand-kneaded curly wavy noodles, born in 1937, this is the historical origin that every tonkotsu ramen enthusiast must experience with all five senses.
Online Ordering / Mail Order Information
Nankin Senryo Honten does not offer official year-round direct online ordering or mail-order services. To savor the historic original translucent tonkotsu broth and house-made curly wavy noodles, please enjoy them directly at the shop in Nonaka-machi, Kurume.
