11-[Tips for campervan travel] Go dive into Japanese Ramen!

Tips for Campervan Travel from Expert Taishi Kawanami/川南　大士

　

１．What is Ippudo Ramen?

Japanese ramen comes in four main flavors: miso, soy sauce, salt, and tonkotsu. Today, we’d like to introduce “tonkotsu ramen.”

Tonkotsu ramen is characterized by its milky, creamy broth, created by simmering pork bones over high heat for a long time to emulsify the umami and fat extracted from the bone marrow. Believed to have originated in Kurume, Kyushu, it boasts a rich yet deep flavor, and there are many famous shops in areas like Hakata in Fukuoka and Kumamoto.

And you can enjoy this tonkotsu ramen right here in Hokkaido!

Noriko, our interpreter who absolutely loves ramen, sees dining out as part of the fun of traveling in a camper van, so she drove her camper van to Ippudo to treat herself.

　　

　

２．How to Order

To order at this Ippudo Ramen restaurant, scan the QR code located at each table with your smartphone. This will bring up the online ordering page, where you can place your order.

The two most famous types of ramen at Ippudo are,

• Shiromaru Original Flavor: The original taste from when the restaurant first opened in 1985. It features a smooth tonkotsu broth and thin noodles.
• Akamaru New Flavor: A rich and deep bowl of ramen made by adding homemade aromatic oil and spicy miso to the Shiromaru broth.

In addition to the above,

Miso Akamaru (Chitose Branch): A bowl featuring a rich blend of miso and pork bone broth, served with medium-thick curly noodles.

Side dishes include

Hakata Hito-kuchi（bite-sized ) gyoza and fried rice.

This time, we ordered the Shiro-maru Original, the Akamaru New Style, and gyoza.

　

Additionally, you can choose the firmness of the noodles.

Ippudo’s noodle firmness (from soft to firm)

1. Bariyawa :Very Soft
2. Futsu: Standard
3. Katame (Kata): Firm texture (Most Popular)
4. Barikata: Extra Firm
5. Harigane: Very firm, crunchy texture

If this is your first time, we recommend choosing option 2 (Standard).　

　

　

３．Things to Do While Waiting

Once you’ve placed your order, head to the self-service station to select your complimentary toppings.

1. Red pickled ginger: This bright red pickle is made by marinating ginger root in plum vinegar (infused with red shiso), and it adds a refreshing twist to the ramen’s bold flavor.
2. Spicy Bean Sprouts: Features the crisp texture and spicy kick of bean sprouts (young shoots from sprouted soybeans).
3. Spicy Takana: Salted takana (a type of mustard greens) with added spice; it enhances the richness of the tonkotsu broth (if spice is not your thing, use just a little).

Serve the above on a small plate and take it back to your table.

In addition, rooibos tea is provided at each table to refresh your mouth.

Rooibos tea pairs well with the rich tonkotsu broth and leaves a clean, refreshing aftertaste. It’s caffeine-free and healthy, and its distinctive reddish-brown color stimulates the appetite.

　

　

　　　

　

４．dive into Ramen!

The ramen has finally arrived!

Mmm, it looks and smells amazing!

First, I take a sip of the broth—the rich flavor of the pork bone soup really gets into you—delicious!

Next, I sprinkle some of the ground sesame seeds available on each table over the ramen, and the nutty aroma fills the bowl.

The noodles are thin and straight, perfect for slurping. Yum!

Next, try adding the pickled ginger topping—it transforms the rich tonkotsu broth into a more refreshing flavor.

The fun part of this Ippudo ramen is that as you eat, you can keep experimenting with flavors by adding spicy bean sprouts and spicy pickled mustard greens to your bowl one after another.

Finally, ask for fresh garlic, then crush a clove with a garlic press and add it to your bowl!!

The garlic gave it a real kick, making me finish every last drop of the soup.

I can feel the power surging through my body—that’s exactly why Ippudo Ramen is so popular.

　

　

　

　

Just so you know, the bite-sized gyoza are delicious too!

　　

５．Location of Ippudo Ramen in Hokkaido

• Ippudo Sapporo Hiraoka branch（Free Parking）
• Ippudo KAY Chitose Branch（Free Parking）

　

　　

Hokkaido ramen is known for its “Three Great Ramen” styles: Sapporo’s miso, Asahikawa’s soy sauce, and Hakodate’s salt ramen, each distinguished by its rich, double-broth, or savory lightness. When combined with Kushiro’s soy sauce ramen and Muroran’s curry ramen, these form the famous “Five Great Local Ramen” styles, showcasing regional flavors and noodles that highlight the essence of wheat.

That wraps up our feature on tonkotsu ramen!

Up next, I’d like to feature soft-serve ice cream made with Hokkaido milk!

The Taste of Camper Trip continues—stay tuned!!

　

取材編集：範子

　

Hokkaido Campervan Rental

“with DO CAMPER”

the expert on campervan travel Taishi Kawaminami /川南　大士