Wonderful Shiro or white hakata style ramen at Ippudo (Photo: Bonson Lam)

Ippudo Ramen Sanjo

Manhattan meets Fukuoka in Kyoto

Bonson Lam   - 1 min read

"Take a look at yourself, take a look at yourself Take one big look, take a look at yourself, you dig?" written by Keith Elam.

What has Keith Elam's hip song got to do with Hakata Ramen? In this uber trendy temple to this Japanese staple, it is Fukuoka meets Manhattan with well-dressed party goers of all ages, most having a great time chatting, eating and drinking.

Forget your preconceptions of cheap dives or 300 yen ramen fast food highway pit-stops where the door never stops swinging from truck drivers coming in and out, the Ippudo Ramen eatery is filled with style, Manhattan style. From rap music to mood lighting, this is an eatery with a sense of occasion, where people celebrate anything from farewells to get togethers with no excuse at all.

There are no cheesy folk music, kimono clad waitresses here. Even Guru from Jazzamattaz would feel at home here. He can even sing to his own song over the loudspeakers.

Bonson Lam

Bonson Lam @bonson.lam

I knew my future was destined to be with Japan the moment I flew from Sydney to experience the atmospheric laneways of Kyoto last century.  I am humbled to have met many distinguished people during this time, especially the national living treasures of Japan, such as the doll maker to the Imperia...