Hakata Sanki

Hakata Sanki (株式会社博多三氣) is a Japanese ramen chain specializing in Hakata-style tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen, headquartered in Onojo, Fukuoka Prefecture. The brand traces its origins to October 2008, when founder Shiro Iwamoto opened the first Noma branch in Minami-ku, Fukuoka City, followed by the Mizuki branch in Dazaifu in November 2008. In April 2010, the business was spun off from Amenity 21 Co., Ltd. to become Hakata Sanki Co., Ltd. The company name and brand reflect Iwamoto's personal philosophy, built on three 'ki' (spirits): 'yaruki' (motivation), 'genki' (vitality), and 'makenki' (a fighting spirit). The chain is best known for two signature features. First, it offers kaedama (extra servings of noodles) for just 10 yen per portion, regardless of day or time, a service it began in November 2009. Second, it uses 100% Fukuoka Prefecture-grown 'Rar麦' (Rar麦) wheat for its house-made noodles, produced by its group company Hakata Seimensho Co., Ltd. This commitment to local wheat is relatively rare among ramen shops due to cost and supply constraints. The broth is made primarily from Kyushu pork skulls, resulting in a milky yet light tonkotsu soup. The chain also offers free green onions and spicy mustard greens (karashi takana) in-store. As of the early 2020s, Hakata Sanki operates multiple locations, primarily in Fukuoka Prefecture, including branches in Fukuoka City, Dazaifu, Shime, and Nogata, with some located in shopping mall food courts such as AEON Mall. The company has expanded through franchising and a licensed owner system since 2013. It also diversified into udon through the 2019 M&A of Udon Daimonji. The brand has a history of community engagement, such as donating kaedama proceeds to disaster relief. Its menu includes variations like Yaruki Ramen (light), Makenki Ramen (rich with burnt garlic oil), Genki Ramen (miso tonkotsu), and Sanki Ramen (spicy).

Hakata Sanki was founded by Shiro Iwamoto, with its first restaurant, the Noma branch, opening in Minami-ku, Fukuoka City in October 2008. A second location, the Mizuki branch in Dazaifu, opened in November 2008 and included a noodle-making facility. In November 2009, the company developed 100% Fukuoka-grown 'Rar麦' wheat noodles and simultaneously launched its signature 10-yen kaedama service. In April 2010, the business was spun off from Amenity 21 Co., Ltd. to become Hakata Sanki Co., Ltd. In March 2010, it began producing 100% Rar麦 noodles in its own noodle workshop. The company expanded steadily through the 2010s. In June 2011, it opened the Itazuke branch in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City. In February 2012, it opened the Fukuoka University-dori Katae branch in Jonan-ku. In March 2012, it introduced a large noodle-making machine to improve its house-made noodles, scaling from a workshop to a factory. In September 2013, it increased its capital to 10 million yen. In November 2013, it launched a franchise business and an internal independent support licensed owner system. In December 2013, it opened the Meinohama-dori Fukushige branch in Nishi-ku, Fukuoka City, and simultaneously revamped its store interiors to feature Hakata Gion Yamakasa and Hakata Dontaku festival motifs. In July 2014, its management innovation plan was certified by Fukuoka Prefecture, and it opened the Matsushima Harada branch in Higashi-ku. In August 2014, the Mizuki branch relocated and reopened on adjacent land. In September 2014, its noodle factory expansion was completed. In October 2015, it opened its first shopping center location, the AEON Fukuoka Higashi branch. In November 2015, it opened the Hakata Sanki W AEON Mall Kashihama branch, a new food-court-specific format. In March 2017, it spun off its noodle-making division to establish Hakata Seimensho Co., Ltd. In August 2018, the noodle factory was relocated and expanded. In July 2019, it acquired Udon Daimonji through M&A, entering the udon business. In August 2020, it opened a location in the AEON Mall Nogata food court. Over the years, the chain has opened and closed various branches, including some in Kumamoto and Aichi prefectures. As of the early 2020s, it operates multiple stores primarily in Fukuoka Prefecture. The company has also engaged in community support activities, such as donating kaedama proceeds to disaster relief efforts.

• First store, Noma branch, opens in Minami-ku, Fukuoka City.

• Mizuki branch opens in Dazaifu with noodle-making facility.

• Develops 100% Fukuoka-grown Rar麦 noodles and starts 10-yen kaedama service.

• Begins producing 100% Rar麦 noodles in own noodle workshop.

• Spun off from Amenity 21 Co., Ltd. to become Hakata Sanki Co., Ltd.

• Itazuke branch opens in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City.

• Fukuoka University-dori Katae branch opens in Jonan-ku.

• Introduces large noodle-making machine, scaling from workshop to factory.

• Increases capital to 10 million yen.

• Launches franchise business and internal independent support licensed owner system.

• Meinohama-dori Fukushige branch opens in Nishi-ku; store interiors revamped with Hakata festival motifs.

• Management innovation plan certified by Fukuoka Prefecture; Matsushima Harada branch opens in Higashi-ku.

• Mizuki branch relocates and reopens on adjacent land.

• Noodle factory expansion completed.

• First shopping center location, AEON Fukuoka Higashi branch, opens.

• Hakata Sanki W AEON Mall Kashihama branch opens as new food-court format.

• Noodle-making division spun off to establish Hakata Seimensho Co., Ltd.

• Noodle factory relocated and expanded.

• Acquires Udon Daimonji through M&A, entering udon business.

• Opens in AEON Mall Nogata food court.

Affordable, everyday Hakata tonkotsu ramen with a focus on local ingredients and community engagement.

• Yaruki Ramen

  The base light tonkotsu ramen.

• Makenki Ramen

  Rich ramen with burnt garlic oil (mayu) mixed into tonkotsu soup.

• Genki Ramen

  Miso tonkotsu ramen with original blended miso.

• Sanki Ramen

  Rich and spicy ramen with back fat, mayu, and special Sanki minced meat.

• Rachan

  Ramen with about 350g of fresh Kyushu vegetables; soup becomes like champon.

• Rachanpon

  Thick noodle version of Rachan using newly developed 100% Rar麦 champon noodles.

• Burnt Miso Tonkotsu Ramen

  Authentic ramen with two blended miso types lightly burnt in a wok.

• Kaedama

  Extra noodle refill for 10 yen per portion, available almost every day.

• Gyoza (5 or 7 pieces)

  Dumplings available as set or separate.

• Fried Rice / Half Fried Rice

  Fried rice available as full or half portion set.

1. 1博多三氣 公式サイトhakata-sanki.jp
2. 2博多三氣の歴史hakata-sanki.jp
3. 3会社概要hakata-sanki.jp
4. 4博多三氣 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
5. 5Hakata Sanki - Wikidatawikidata.org