Ramen served in the Nagahama district of Fukuoka City is known as Nagahama ramen or Hakata-Nagahama ramen. Its origins are closely connected with the relocation of a fish market that was formerly located in Hakata Ward to the Nagahama area. Several ramen shops and food stalls moved to Nagahama along with the market, and this is said to have helped establish the area’s ramen culture.
Nagahama ramen follows the tradition of Hakata ramen and shares its defining characteristics: a pork bone broth and straight, extra-thin noodles. However, one theory holds that Nagahama ramen was the origin of the extra-thin noodles themselves.
The noodles are believed to have developed to meet the needs of fish-market workers, who had to eat quickly between auction activities. Because extra-thin noodles require less time to boil, they allowed workers to enjoy a hot bowl of ramen without spending too long away from their duties.
The combination of a flavorful pork bone broth and straight, extra-thin noodles remains central to Nagahama ramen. Its history reflects the practical needs of the market and the food culture that grew around it.