Oki Shokudo
Created date: 2026/10/08,
Update date: 2026/10/08
Established in 1955 (Showa 30), Oki Shokudo is a legendary ramen shop revered as the pinnacle of “Jimi-kei” (naturally savory and gentle) Kurume ramen. Its milky, mild, cloudy tonkotsu broth, adorned with sliced hard-boiled eggs, is a cherished soul food beloved by locals. Discover the full story behind this iconic eatery.
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
- Established in 1955 (Showa 30). While Kurume ramen often evokes images of rich, heavy broths, Oki Shokudo has perfected a light, gentle, and refreshing style known as “Jimi-kei Kurume Ramen,” earning national renown as its finest exponent.
- Its greatest charm lies in a milky broth that, despite being cloudy, boasts astonishing clarity and mild umami, crafted by gently extracting the pure essence of pork bones over low to medium heat. Completely devoid of the characteristic pork bone odor or greasiness, every last drop is drinkable.
- Signature toppings include thinly sliced hard-boiled eggs (nibuki tamago), julienned menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), delicate slices of pork belly chashu (tender braised pork belly slices), nori (seaweed), and green onions. The nostalgic presentation evokes a heartwarming sense of Showa-era charm.
- The noodles are Kurume’s traditional medium-thin straight craft noodles, boiled to a soft consistency, seamlessly integrating with the gentle broth for a comforting culinary experience.
- This beloved local institution, deeply rooted in the daily lives of Kurume residents, fills with a diverse clientele from seniors to youngsters right at its 10:00 AM opening, often selling out of soup by early afternoon.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 330 Shinoyama-cho, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka |
| Access | Approx. 15-minute walk from Nishitetsu-Kurume Station (Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line) or Kurume Station (JR Line) (near Kurume Castle Ruins and Arima Memorial Museum) |
| Phone Number | 0942-32-7508 |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (or until soup runs out) |
| Closed | Sundays, National Holidays |
| Special/Temporary Closures | Announced in-store |
| Seating & Facilities | 30 seats (counter, table seats), all non-smoking |
| Smoking Policy | Entirely Non-Smoking |
| Parking | Available (in front of the shop and surrounding dedicated lots, 10+ spaces total) |
| Official SNS | Information available in-store |
| Official Website | None |
| Other Gourmet Sites | Selected as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Ramen Shops in West Japan |
Main Menu
| Recommendation | Category | Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ | Ramen | Ramen (Regular) | 650円 |
| ★ | Ramen | Large Ramen (Extra Noodles & Toppings) | 750円 |
| - | Rice | Peas Onigiri (Rice balls with green peas, 2 pcs) | 200円 |
| - | Rice | Plain Onigiri (2 pcs) | 180円 |
| - | Noodle Refill | Kaedama (Noodle Refill) | 130円 |
Story & Background: Why This Shop is Chosen
Roots & Philosophy
- The Heart of a Warm, Homely ‘Shokudo’ : Founded by Takeo Oki in the post-war recovery period, this small eatery near Kurume Castle Ruins started with a vision: to create a gentle flavor that could be enjoyed every day without tiring. This pursuit led to the perfection of their unique Jimi-kei tonkotsu style.
- The Iconic Pairing with ‘Peas Onigiri’ : Another beloved specialty of Oki Shokudo is the ‘Peas Onigiri’ – vibrant green peas cooked into fluffy rice balls. The tradition for regulars, unchanged since the shop’s founding, is to savor these onigiri while enjoying the mild tonkotsu broth.
- Meticulous Preparation and Temperature Control : Through thorough pre-treatment of pork bones, carefully removing blood and impurities, they achieve a pure, crystal-clear broth—even while cloudy—that is completely free of any unwanted flavors.
Recommended Way to Enjoy
- Order Ramen with ‘Peas Onigiri’ : Upon being seated, start by ordering your ramen along with the famous Peas Onigiri set.
- Savor the Gentle Sweetness of the Broth : A spoonful of soup reveals the subtle umami of pure pork bones, subtly complemented by a faint sweetness from the soy sauce tare, gently spreading across your palate.
- Combine Sliced Egg with the Broth : Allow the broth to soak into the firm, sliced hard-boiled egg. As you eat, the richness of the yolk blends with the milky soup, creating an exceptional flavor experience.
Important Notes for Your Visit
- Mind the Business Hours : The shop is open for lunch only (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM), and closes once the soup sells out. Especially on weekends and days before holidays, they may sell out by 1:00 PM, so an early visit is essential.
- Closed on Sundays and National Holidays : If you’re traveling from afar, please note their regular closing days.
Why It’s So Appealing: Summary
Oki Shokudo is a venerable establishment that perfectly embodies the “depth” and “gentleness” of Kurume tonkotsu, proving that it’s not all about richness. With its milky, impurity-free broth, iconic sliced hard-boiled eggs, and signature Peas Onigiri, this comforting bowl—unchanged for over half a century—warms and nourishes the soul of every diner.
Online Ordering/Mail Order Information
Currently, Oki Shokudo does not offer official year-round nationwide shipping or online mail order services. The exceptionally fresh, gentle “Jimi-kei” soup, prepared exclusively on-site, along with the famous Peas Onigiri, is a combination best experienced directly at their shop in Kurume’s Shinoyama-cho.
