博多らーめんShinShin 天神本店
🍜 The Hakata street-style tonkotsu ramen "Hakata Pure Heart Ramen" is a regular feature on TV reports and has lines of locals waiting.
ShinShin is also a well-known ramen shop recognized by many people. When we arrived at about 11:15, around 20 people were already in line at the entrance. There was a sign at the door suggesting visits to the branch inside the nearby department store, but the main store still exudes a charm that naturally draws people in!
While queuing, a staff member passes around a QR code for the menu, available in multiple languages. However, you need to order with the staff after being seated. Some of the staff know a little English.
Their broth combines the traditional craftsmanship of Hakata ramen with the flavors from when the owner used to run a stall. It's carefully simmered daily to create a flavor that's "easy to consume and tempting to finish."
The chashu, made from pork belly slow-cooked to absorb all the broth's essence, is tender and melts in your mouth. The noodles are of average firmness, a bit softer compared to other places, so I recommend ordering the firmer option.
Although it's been improved and many say it's the less odorous type of Kyushu tonkotsu ramen, personally, I find it to be the most pungent among the ones I've tried 😂 The shop's aroma is generally okay, but once in your mouth, the odor is quite strong, affecting both the oral and nasal senses... I ended up adding a considerable amount of hot sauce to balance it (the hot sauce is quite fragrant! Recommended).