Japanese¥¥¥¥hakata
Hanamidori at Hakata Station sits in JR Hakata City, within walking distance of the shinkansen gate. Same kitchen as Imaizumi flagship, faster turnover.
Signature: Mizutaki chicken hotpot, Yakitori starter platter, Zosui rice porridge
Order: Mizutaki course with the rice-porridge zosui finish.
Tip: Reserve through Savor Japan; weekday lunches are easier than weekend dinners.
Japanese Yakitori¥¥¥yakuin
Hachibei's Shoninbashi-dori branch is the original yakitori counter that grew into a Tokyo chain. Hardwood charcoal, long counter, packed every night.
Signature: Charcoal-grilled chicken skewers, Tsukune meatball, Daikon salad
Order: Omakase yakitori platter plus the daikon salad.
Tip: Reserve through Tabelog or the operator's site. Walk-ins fill the counter from 18:00.
Japanese Ramen¥¥hakata
Ichiran's Canal City branch runs the silent solo-booth tonkotsu with the customisable spicy red sauce, the booth-and-slip format Ichiran codified.
Signature: Solo-booth tonkotsu ramen, Signature spicy red sauce, Kaedama refill
Order: Classic tonkotsu with red sauce at level two, plus kaedama refill.
Tip: Open 24 hours. Vending-machine ticketing in English; pick firmness and richness on the slip.
Japanese Ramen¥¥hakata
Hide-Chan first generation runs the Ramen Stadium counter on the fifth floor of Canal City. A lighter Hakata tonkotsu, the late-night drinking close.
Signature: Hakata tonkotsu ramen, Spicy karaka-men, Chashu rice bowl
Order: Standard tonkotsu with kaedama, then karaka-men for the spicy version.
Tip: Open with the Ramen Stadium, 11:00-23:00. Vending-machine tickets in English.
Japanese¥hakata
Ebisuya's flat Hakata-style udon won the 2014 Japan Udon Championship runner-up. The Kalbi Bukkake bowl with chewy noodles and a Mihoran egg is the signature.
Signature: Kalbi bukkake udon, Hakata-style flat noodles, Burdock tempura side
Order: Kalbi bukkake udon at 780 yen, raw egg on top.
Tip: Open 11:10-18:00, closed Wednesdays. Lunch queues clear by 13:30.
Japanese Ramen¥¥hakata
Ippudo's Hakata Station branch sits on the 10F of KOOTEN inside JR Hakata City, two minutes from the shinkansen gate. Kitchen leans japanese ramen.
Signature: Shiromaru classic tonkotsu, Akamaru shin-aji, Karaka-men spicy
Order: Shiromaru classic tonkotsu with the bun-set add-on at lunchtime.
Tip: Open 11:00-22:00 most days. English menu, vending-machine ticket order at lunch.