Ippudo is the global ramen chain founded in Fukuoka in 1985 and known for its red-and-white tonkotsu ramen branding. The company began in Fukuoka’s Daimyo district, a city strongly associated with Hakata-style ramen and rich pork-bone broth.
Ippudo was started by Shigemi Kawahara through the Chikaranomoto company. The name Ippudo can be translated roughly as “one wind hall,” reflecting the founder’s idea of bringing a fresh wind to Kyushu’s ramen scene. Its signature bowls, including the red Akamaru and white Shiromaru styles, helped turn Hakata-inspired tonkotsu ramen into an internationally recognized restaurant concept.
Tonkotsu refers to broth made by simmering pork bones until the liquid becomes rich and opaque. Hakata-style ramen generally pairs that broth with thin, straight, resilient noodles, and diners often customize noodle firmness. Ippudo’s international restaurants preserve those associations while adapting menus and operations for local markets.
A common mix-up is Ichiran, another famous Fukuoka ramen chain also known for tonkotsu ramen. Santouka and Afuri are likewise major Japanese ramen brands, but the 1985 Fukuoka origin and red-and-white Ippudo identity point specifically to Ippudo.