Favorite Ramen in Okayama: Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen Bari
Ni hao ma! It’s Mr. Wada back on duty. I would like to share one of our food trips at a Tonkotsu ramen restaurant in Okayama this time.
Contents
About Tonkotsu Ramen
As mentioned in the previous entry, Tonkotsu ramen is known that it is from Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture.
By the way, many people think Hakata is a capital of Fukuoka. Actually, it’s the other way around. Just like Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture. Confusing, right? If people think Toronto and New York are the capital cities….OK, better stop before I go too far. Anyway, as the store’s name is “Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen Bari,” it sounds quite promising for me. Let’s take a look.
Enter the Bari Restaurant
Cool Wadaiko (Japanese drums) and Shamisen (Japanese guitar) music welcome you as you enter. It would remind me of Naruto for some reason (you may understand why if you have watched it).
Welcome to Bari!
Order Your Ramen
I recommend regular Bari Tonkotsu Ramen (680 yen), Bari Kaori-Men looks good too though (with different spices, I think). I normally get the regular one.
And here’s another thing you need to consider – hardness of the noodles.
(From left) raw, super hard, very hard (Bari kata), hard, normal, soft
“What the hell?” Well, it’s nothing serious. Get futsu (normal), if you aren’t sure. I prefer very hard, so I’d say “Bari Kata.” Now you are getting an idea what Bari is right? Most probably Bari is a word from Hakata dialect which means “very” (I just realized it actually sounds like VERY…). However, it is used in other directs as well today. Anyway, my choice of Bari-Kata is “very hard” but it won’t be too hard after being soaked in soup for a minute.
Grab the Side Dishes!
Alright, while waiting shall we grab side dishes? Free stuff! I love this bean sprouts. Spicy but yummy. BUT I feel it gets spicier and spicier every time we come here. I kinda sense that it’s because we’ve had it too much…(sometimes we finish two bowls! Hehe). Oh c’mon! It’s only bean sprouts.
Very addictive.
Other side dishes.
Finally, Ramen has come
Here comes, my Ramen. Bon appetit. To be frank I’m not good at having food while it’s super hot. I rather sip little by little so I don’t get my tongue burned….not manly? Shut up. I don’t like to or can’t do the way other Japanese have noodles anyway.
A pic of a woman behind is a little disturbing but never mind…
Would you like to have a Kaedama?
This place offers a free Kaedama for each customer. Kaedama means extra noodles. Normally kaedama costs you like 100 yen at other ramen places. How to get one is the same way as we order food. Tell the staff, “Kaedama kudasai” and he/she will ask you for hardness (again!). I’d say Bari-Kata, he/she soon will bring you extra noodles on a plate. Now I’ve got another ramen to go!
Kaedama please!
Lastly
Burp. I’m totally done. Ramen isn’t the healthiest food ever, though we should treat ourselves once in a while. It shouldn’t be bad right?
By the way, Bari has such a cool website. On the top page you can play with ramen and toppings! Hehe.
Hataka Tonkotsu Bari Official Website (In Japanese only)
Hakata Tonkotsu Bari (Nakasendou, Okayama city)
Hakata Tonkotsu Bari (downtown, Okayama)
Alright, we will keep updating and introduce you more foods.
See you around!
Mrs. Wada had this Bari shio ramen.
I like soft noodles.
It seems to be delicious.
I’ve missed this.