Kiichi
Created date: 2026/10/08,
Update date: 2026/10/08
Inducted into the S-Style Ramen Hall of Fame, Kiichi is the supreme morning ramen destination in Kitakata. Renowned for its ethereal, crystal-clear ‘Aged Salt Ramen’ and innovative ‘Kitakata Kuroshio’, experience the pinnacle of light yet profoundly deep ramen craftsmanship.
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 & Commitments
- Located in Sekishibacho, Kitakata, Kiichi commands extraordinary early-morning queues starting before its 7:00 AM opening as the crown jewel of morning ramen.
- Inducted into the Tohoku Ramen Hall of Fame after winning consecutive overall grand championships at the prestigious S-Style Ramen Awards.
- Its masterpiece “Aged Salt Ramen” features a crystal-clear broth simmered on low heat with whole chicken and pork bones, matched with an aged tare combining nutrient-rich seaweed salt and sun-dried sea salt.
- The aged high-hydration flat thick curly noodles provide a silken, glossy glide on the palate, releasing sweet wheat flavors with every chew.
- The beloved companion bowl “Kitakata Kuroshio” (aged salt soup infused with charred onion oil and roasted fish powder) and meticulously simmered tender pork cubes have earned legion followings nationwide.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 635-7 Sakaida, Kamitakagaku, Sekishibacho, Kitakata, Fukushima 966-0015 |
| Access | Approx. 8 mins by car from JR Kitakata Station |
| Phone Number | +81-241-24-2480 |
| Business Hours | 07:00 - 14:00 (Closes when soup runs out, often sold out before noon) |
| Regular Holiday | Sunday |
| Special Holidays | Announced on-site and on social media |
| Seating & Facilities | 30 seats (counter, tables, and tatami floor seating), all non-smoking |
| Smoking Policy | Non-smoking |
| Parking | Available (approx. 20 parking spaces in front) |
| Official Social Media | In-store notices and regional gourmet sites |
| Official Website | None |
| Other Food Guides | Tabelog Ramen EAST Hyakumeiten awarded |
Main Menu
| Recommended | Category | Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ | Ramen | Aged Salt Ramen (Jukusei Shio) | 700 yen |
| ★ | Ramen | Aged Salt Chashumen | 950 yen |
| ★ | Ramen | Kitakata Kuroshio (Charred Onion Salt) | 750 yen |
| - | Ramen | Aged Shoyu Ramen | 700 yen |
| - | Ramen | Akadama (Spicy Miso Ramen) | 850 yen |
Story & Background: Why This Shop Is Chosen
Heritage & Philosophy
- Hall of Fame Shio Ramen Excellence : In a town dominated by soy sauce, Kiichi astounded critics and ramen devotees with its peerless salt ramen artistry.
- Flawless Zero-Impurity Broth : Gently extracted over hours to prevent any cloudiness, yielding a shimmering golden consomme that patron drink to the very last drop.
- The Ultimate Morning Ritual : Slurping hot, soothing salt ramen in the crisp morning air of Kitakata creates an unforgettable travel memory.
Recommended Dining Guide
- Savor the golden salt broth first : Taste the gentle, round salinity and lush chicken-pork-kombu umami coating your tongue.
- Slurp the glossy curly noodles : Enjoy the smooth glide and bouncy mouthfeel of the aged high-hydration noodles.
- Melt the tender chashu : Allow the tender, mildly seasoned pork belly squares to absorb the hot broth for peak juiciness.
Mail Order & Gift Information
Official instant noodles or gift packs are currently not available on Amazon or standard e-commerce malls. Visit Kiichi in Sekishibacho early in the morning to experience this legendary salt ramen freshly made.
