Monday, July 17, 2017

Hakata Ramen at Marufuku Ramen in San Francisco, Northern California


Hakata skinny ramen noodle, a style of ramen originated from the ward of Hakata, Fukuoka Province of Japan
Marufuku Ramen just opened 4 months ago, and it's been pretty popular since its grand opening inside San Francisco Japantown. They specialized in Hakata-style ramen, which is a Tonkotsu (pork bone soup) based ramen. Its noodle is rather skinny and whiter than the typical ramen noodles you see. Overall, this ramen spot is not bad if you want a slight taste of Japanese ramen. I would say they are trying to make it as authentic as they can with the ingredients available in the Bay Area. So if you are a Tonkotsu fan, don't forget to try out Marufuku! (See menu at the bottom of this post)

Interior Seating
The restaurant is located inside Japantown's west building second floor. If you know where the Purikura shop (Japanese photo booth) and Sophie's Crepe are located at, it's in the same area. 

Once you are inside, seating pattern is quite interesting. It has these communal seating in the center, which people has to climb over to sit. (See the guy at the photo above?) Anyway, those seats are lighted up which is pretty cool. 
Ramen menu (See full menu at bottom)
Since we are at a ramen shop, let's focus on their specialty: Hakata ramen. After choosing the ramen type, you need to tell them how spicy you want your ramen as well. Extra toppings are available too.


Hakata Tonkotsu, Mild


Hakata DX, Spicy
Pork

The main difference between regular Hakata ramen vs. the DX is simmered pork vs. braised pork. Both are very tender and pretty good. I would say the braised pork has a bit more flavor than the simmered ones.

Other Toppings

As you can see, there are many other toppings in one bowl: pork slices, green onions, kikurage mushroom (wood ear mushroom), corn, soft boiled egg (inside the soup), bean sprouts (inside the soup), and red ginger pickles.

I love the variety of vegetables in this bowl of tonkotsu. They are all great with the broth. The soft boiled egg is delicious too, flavorful and half-way cooked with a semi-liquid yolk.

Spiciness

To me, the spiciness from this ramen goes very well with the red ginger pickles. Although the broth is not super thick, I actually kind of like it this way. (It might be better for my health this way... :P)

Noodle

And I have to say, skinny ramen noodles with tonkotsu soup is just perfect together. The texture is good too, nor too hard or overcooked.

CONCLUSION

I am glad there is a good Hakata ramen spot in the Bay Area. (There are more ramen types in South Cal) If I am nearby Japantown, I guess I will come back again. 

For that price in the Bay Area, $10.99 for a bowl of good Tonkotsu ramen, it's really not bad! I am sure they will increase their price in a month or two, just like Mensho Tokyo and Ramen Shop in Oakland. Please visit this spot as soon as possible! 

Marufuku Ramen


 

Phone: (415) 872-9786

Hours: 


Monday: Closed

Tuesday-Saturday: 11:30AM–2PM, 5:30–9:30PM
Sunday: 11:30AM–3PM, 5:30–9PM

Website:

https://www.marufukuramen.com/

Menu

15 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting all this delicious looking food ^^

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  2. I wish we had such a great place in Edmonton, Alberta

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  3. This looks great! we have lots of similar places here in down town Vancouver

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  4. I'll def check this out the next time I'm in San Francisco!

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  5. Spicy one(DX) looks delicious.

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  6. I didn't know there was a Japantown in San Francisco, I'm shocked! The menu is so various I'd have difficulties in choosing just one dish...I'm not a spicy lover, so I'd try the normal ones

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