Ajisen Ramen Honten

Ajisen Ramen Honten in Kumamoto is the flagship of what became one of the world's largest ramen chains, but this original shop still feels like a local noodle house. It is credited with popularizing Kumamoto-style ramen: a rich pork bone broth milder and slightly sweeter than Hakata's intense tonkotsu, enriched with garlic chips and ma-yu, a burnt garlic oil that gives the broth a distinctive dark color and savory depth. Firm straight noodles hold the broth well, and generous chashu pork, pickled ginger, and green onions complete the bowl. Eating at the source of a global chain carries its own novelty, and the original recipe noticeably outperforms the franchise.