If you find it, you definitely want to try it! Local Fukuoka gourmet Food recommended by Takayuki YAMADA
Takayuki YAMADA is an illustrator who tweets comics about his walks and travels in Fukuoka, Kyushu, with the theme of "Interesting and unusual things found by Takayuki YAMADA " He is supported by many people for his trivia that makes you say "huh" out loud, as well as Food and city information cut from his own humorous perspective. He has been in charge of a Serials in Fukuripa since 2021. This time, we will introduce local gourmet Food in Fukuoka that Takayuki YAMADA recommends.
Table of contents of this article
Hot tempura served directly to you! "Tempura Hirao" is so delicious
Tempura restaurant "Tempura Hirao" is very popular among Fukuoka residents. There are seven stores in Fukuoka prefecture, and each store is so popular that there is always a line .
The reason for its popularity is undoubtedly the system in which freshly fried tempura is served in order on a tray placed in front of you. Not only does this mean that you can always eat piping hot tempura, but the pace at which it is served is just right .
I was surprised when I tried it, it was delicious! Besides the tempura sauce, there are several kinds of mysterious powders (lol) on the table, so I recommend trying those.
This is the "Okonomiyaki Teishoku" set menu with shrimp, squid, pork, white fish, and three kinds of vegetables. Takayuki YAMADA always ends up ordering this after much deliberation. It's great to be able to eat this kind of high-class restaurant-quality tempura for less than 1,000 yen .
*Normally, tempura is served individually, but this photo shows all the tempura together.
Furthermore , the tables are lined with salted squid, namul (Korean seasoned vegetables), and spicy pickled mustard greens, all of which are free . The salted squid is especially popular. It goes perfectly with rice, so you might end up eating too much while waiting for your tempura... (Be careful not to overeat!).
*Currently, one plate of salted squid is free per person (additional plates are available for 50 yen each).
>> Check out this article for more details
[Tempura Restaurant Hirao Main Branch]
■Address: 2-4-1 Higashihirao, Hakata ku , Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-611-1666
■Business hours: 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM
■Closed: New Year's holidays (December 31st to January 2nd)
■ parking: Yes ■Other store information: https://www.hirao-foods.net/shop/
Fukuoka is actually a hotbed of gyoza! The quality of gyoza restaurants in the city is high!
When you think of Fukuoka's Food, many people probably think of ramen. But actually, it's also a city with delicious gyoza!
Fukuoka City is a fierce battleground for gyoza restaurants, ranking second among all municipalities nationwide in the number of gyoza restaurants per 100,000 people (*).
Moreover, many of these places are inexpensive and delicious, making them popular not only with Tourism but also with locals.
*From the Fukuoka City website "Data on the Best of Fukuoka"
The distinctive feature of Fukuoka gyoza is that they are smaller than regular gyoza..
They're so delicious you can eat them one after another like a snack! This time, we'll introduce five gyoza restaurants selected by Takayuki YAMADA from among the many available!
>> Check out this article for more details
"Hakata Gion (Hakata Old Town) Iron Pot" comes in an iron pot and stays hot until the very end
At "Tetsunabe," a chain with several locations in Fukuoka City, you can enjoy bite-sized dumplings served piping hot on a sizzling iron plate. The wrappers are thick and chewy, and the filling is juicy and absolutely delicious.
[Tetsunabe Nakasu Main Store]
■Address: 1-5 Nishinakasu , Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
■ Phone number: 092-725-4688
■Business Hours:
17:00-24:00 ( LO 23:30)/
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM , 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM ( Last order 11:30 PM)
■Regular closing day: Tuesdays (Open if Tuesday is a public holiday)
■ parking: None
■Click here for Others store details
Happy hour at Gyoza-ya Ninoni
Ninoni is incredibly popular with young people because of its amazing value for money. From opening until 6:30 PM, dumplings are half price, so you can enjoy a plate for around 140 yen . They are characterized by their crispy skin.
[Ni-no-Ni Daimyo Store]
■Address: 1-14-28 Daimyo , Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-732-9122
■Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Last order 11:30 PM)
■Closed days: None ■ parking: None
■Click here for Others store details
Hountei, a long-established restaurant that has been in business since 1949
Hōuntei is said to be the oldest gyoza restaurant in Fukuoka. It is the restaurant that is considered the origin of Fukuoka's bite-sized gyoza .
Despite not using garlic, these dumplings are surprisingly satisfying. This is a must-visit restaurant when talking about Fukuoka's dumplings!
[Hōuntei Nakasu Main Store]
■Address: 2-4-20 Nakasu, Hakata ku, Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-281-7452
■Opening hours: 17:30 - 23:00 (Last order 22:30)
*Friday/Saturday ~ 24:00 (LO 23:30)
*Ends when sold out ■Closed: None ■ parking: None
■Click here for Others store details
Small but packed with bean paste! "Asahiken"
The gyoza at Asahiken are so addictive you'll want to eat them again and again. This gyoza restaurant also has a long history, having been founded in 1954 (Showa 29).
While these dumplings are among the smallest in Fukuoka Prefecture, they are packed with filling and are incredibly satisfying!
[Asahiken Ekimae Main Store]
■Address: 2-15-22 Hakata, Hakata ku , Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-451-7896
■Business hours: 15:00 - 24:00
■Closed on Sundays ■ parking: None
■Click here for Others store details
Gyoza Li, the favorite of Softbank's Chairman Wang
Conversely, Gyoza Ri defies the common perception of Fukuoka's gyoza with its enormous size . It's so impressive that it spills off the plate, and it's surprising to learn that this is just one serving.
With just one bite, the hot, juicy meat juices overflow, and you'll be completely captivated by the taste. This is a famous restaurant with many fans who travel from outside the prefecture to visit.
[Gyoza Lee]
■Address: 1F Fukukai Building, 3-1-11 Yakuin , Chuo-ku , Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-531-9356
■Opening hours: 11:30 AM - Last Order 2:30 PM / 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Last Order 9:50 PM)
■Closed on Tuesdays
■Store information is available here
This is the quality of a stand-up restaurant!? The stand-up restaurants inside Hakata Station are delicious!
Fukuoka has a wealth of standing bars and restaurants compared to other prefectures, including many standing-only eateries. In particular, Hakata Station—and even within the station itself—offers a surprisingly high-quality selection of standing-only Food food that you can easily enjoy .
>> Check out this article for more details
[1.2 platform] Tonkotsu ramen shop
At this restaurant, Takayuki YAMADA recommends the "Ajitama Ramen" (ramen with seasoned egg). It features a rich tonkotsu (pork bone) broth topped with a seasoned egg, large slices of char siu (roast pork), and wood ear mushrooms. Just looking at the picture makes your mouth water!
As for the all-important taste...it's surprisingly delicious —you'll be amazed that this is the taste of a stand-up noodle shop inside a train station! Adding toppings like spicy pickled mustard greens or pickled ginger to your liking will make it even tastier!
[Hakata Ramen Station Branch]
■ 1-1 Hakata Station Hakata -gai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, JR Hakata Station Platforms 1 & 2
[Platform 3 and 4] Stand-up udon restaurant
The chicken udon here features sweetly seasoned chicken that pairs perfectly with the soup! Even if you're not hungry, the aroma of the broth will surely make you want to eat it...
[Hakata Home Udon]
■ 1-1 Hakata Station Chuo-gai , Hakata ku, Fukuoka City , JR Hakata Station Platforms 3 & 4
[Platform 5 and 6] Stand-up eateries that change for a limited time
Additionally, there are stand-up eateries on platforms 5 and 6 that change for a limited time , which is sure to be an added fun thing to do when visiting Hakata Station!
The employee cafeteria in Shintencho, "Shintencho Club," is open to the public
Did you know that there's an employee cafeteria for people working in the Shintencho arcade shopping street in Tenjin , Chuo Chuo-ku , Fukuoka City ?
What's more , it's open to the general public! And apparently, it even displays works by a certain artist? Let me introduce you to Shintencho Club, the employee cafeteria in Shintencho!
As a long-established arcade street, Shintencho is an attractive spot with many Food restaurants and other establishments.
Actually, deep inside the shopping street, there's an employee cafeteria for the people who work there. Even though it's called an employee cafeteria, it's open to the public. The food is of high quality, and it's a hidden gem known only to those in the know.
At Shintencho Club, their specialties are omelet rice and beef stew. They are made only after an order is placed, so you can enjoy them piping hot at any time.
Takayuki YAMADA ordered omurice. The soft-boiled egg and rich sauce blended together perfectly, making it exquisite. It's amazing that it comes with a salad and soup for only 680 yen .
By the way, there are paintings by Taro Okamoto hanging on the walls, so be sure to take a look.
>> Check out this article for more details
[Shintencho Club]
Address: 2-7-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
Phone number: 092-731-4102
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Last order 3:30 PM)
Closed on: Sundays and New Year's Day parking: None
■Click here for store details
A tour of restaurants in Nakasu, Fukuoka that you can visit without drinking alcohol
Nakasu is the most popular shopping district in Western Japan. There are many bars in this area, but even people who don't drink alcohol can enjoy themselves! Let's take a look around Nakasu's restaurants that are casual and easy to enter even if you don't drink alcohol!
>> Check out this article for more details
Taichaya: A restaurant specializing in sea bream chazuke, perfect for finishing off a night of drinking
At Taichaya, you can easily enjoy delicious Hakata fish . First, you can enjoy it as sashimi, then you can put the sea bream on rice and pour the broth over it. It's the perfect dish to finish off a night of drinking!
[Hakata Tai Chaya Nakasu Meiji- Meiji-dori Avenue ]
■Address: 1F Matsui Ichibankan Building, 5-2-3 Nakasu, Hakata -ku , Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-283-8800
■Business Hours:
Monday and Tuesday 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM the following day.
Wednesday to Saturday: Lunch 11:00-14:00 / Dinner 20:00-3:00 the next day
■Closed on Sundays
■Click here for store details
A famous soba restaurant frequented by famous sumo wrestlers! "Hakata "
Of course, the soba is excellent, but the most famous dish at this restaurant is the katsudon ! The crispy batter and fluffy egg combine to create the perfect harmony. It's quite filling, but you'll eat it in no time! The Showa-era atmosphere inside the restaurant is also a fun addition.
Hakata Yabu
■Address: 4-2-2 Nakasu, Hakata ku, Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-281-1253
■Business hours: 19:30 - 2:00 the following day
■Regular closing days: Irregular
■Click here for store details
Not ramen but somen!? "Original Nakasu Somen Omiya"
This isn't a ramen shop in Fukuoka, but rather a surprising somen noodle shop! They do have the typical cold somen, but Takayuki YAMADA personally recommends the hot somen .
The thin somen noodles are said to be incredibly delicious, as they are perfectly coated in the chicken broth-based soup. You can also enjoy a different flavor by dissolving the spicy pickled mustard greens and mentaiko (spicy cod roe) on top of the noodles into the soup.
[Original Nakasu Somen Noodles: Jinya]
■Address: Space Nakasu Building 1F, 4-1-30-2 Nakasu, Hakata ku, Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-409-1302
■Business Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 7:00 PM - 4:00 AM the next day / Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:00 PM - 5:00 AM the next day
■Closed on Sundays
■Click here for store details
Fukuoka's local Chinese restaurants! A tour of some very chic Chinese restaurants in the city
If you take a walk around the city of Fukuoka, you will find many high-quality, everyday Chinese restaurants here and there. This time, we will introduce four of the best Chinese restaurants in the area!
>> Check out this article for more details
The liver and chives are simply delicious! "Chinman 21"
Chinman 21 is famous for its liver and chives stir-fry. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you can hear people ordering liver and chives from all directions.
It's packed with vegetables, making it healthy and easy to eat. The liver's distinctive flavor is mild , so even people who don't like liver might enjoy it!
[Chinese Restaurant Chinman 21]
■Address: 2-10-10 Minato , Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-751-7072
■Business Hours: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
■Closed on Wednesdays
■Click here for store details
Speaking of local Chinese food in Fukuoka, this is the place to go! "Gyoza Li"
Earlier, I mentioned that Li is a famous gyoza restaurant, but it's also known as a top-notch Chinese restaurant. That's because their other menu items are also of a very high standard! "I think their fried rice, in particular, is among the best in Fukuoka City!" says Takayuki YAMADA
It's a simple and standard fried rice, so you can eat it all the way to the end without getting tired of it .
[Gyoza Lee]
■Address: 1F Fukukai Building, 3-1-11 Yakuin , Chuo-ku , Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-531-9356
■Business Hours:
11:30-O.S.14:30/17:00-23:00 (L.O.21:50)
■Closed on Tuesdays
■Store information is available here
Take-out fried chicken wings are delicious! "Touen"
Located right in the heart of Nakasu is "Momozono," famous for its fried chicken (chicken wings). Many people eat in, but just as many take their food to go . It seems to be a favorite spot for hostesses .
The fried chicken is crispy on the outside and seasoned well with salt and pepper, making it delicious. It's tasty on its own, but needless to say, it's also perfect as a snack with beer!
[Chinese Restaurant Taoyuan]
■Address: 4-5 Nakasu, Hakata ku, Fukuoka City , 1F
■TEL: 092-291-7921
■Business hours: 18:00 - 3:00 the following day
■Closed: Sundays and public holidays
■Click here for store details
Nagasakitei is famous for its vegetable-packed champon
As the name "Nagasaki" suggests, this restaurant serves delicious champon noodles. It's topped with a huge amount of vegetables; it's almost like the noodles are hidden beneath a stir-fry of vegetables.
The soup and noodles are incredibly flavorful, yet it's surprising that you don't feel heavy after eating . Their other dishes, like the dumplings, are also delicious, so be sure to try them!
[Nagasaki-tei]
■Address: 1-7-1 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
■Phone number: 092-791-7115
■Business hours: 11:00 - 24:00
■Regular closing days: Irregular
■Click here for store details
A seasonal winter tradition in Fukuoka! Enjoying an oyster hut in Itoshima!
Oyster huts open in Itoshima, Fukuoka in the winter. We will introduce the system of oyster huts and how to enjoy them.
Inside the spacious building, there are many tables where you can grill and eat oysters yourself. The system varies slightly from shop to shop, but basically, oysters and other seafood are displayed next to the cash register, and you buy them and grill them yourself.
You can borrow all the necessary equipment, so you can come empty-handed! You can even borrow a jacket to protect your clothes from getting holes or stains .
Oysters generally cost around 1000 yen per kilogram. Most oyster huts also offer a variety of other items besides oysters, such as turban shells, scallops, shrimp, sausages, gratin, and rice dishes like oyster rice .
Even if you eat and drink to your heart's content, it only costs around 2000-3000 yen per person!
There are plenty of cafes and other establishments around the oyster huts, so you're sure to have a great day! If you haven't been yet, be sure to go this year!
>> Check out this article for more details
[Itoshima Oyster Hut Area]
■Kafuri Fishing Port [MAP]
■Funakoshi Fishing Port [MAP]
■Kishi Fishing Port [MAP]
■ Fukuyoshi Fishing Port [MAP]
*Oyster huts are only open during the cold season from October to April.
[Extra Edition] Isn't this a nationwide favorite? Fukuoka's local ice cream is delicious!
It seems that many people from Kyushu have grown up thinking that the ice cream they were familiar with from childhood is ice cream that is popular all over Japan. So what is the local ice cream of Kyushu?
>> Check out this article for more details
"Black Mont Blanc" is a representative local ice cream of Kyushu
Vanilla ice cream coated with crunchy chocolate makes for a fun texture. However, surprisingly, many people don't know that it's a Fukuoka specialty, and there are many people who only realize it's a Fukuoka specialty after moving to another prefecture.
Kagoshima's specialty shaved ice "Shirokuma"
Kagoshima's specialty "Shirokuma" is one of the ice creams you'll want to eat in the summer. Shirokuma is a luxurious ice cream made of shaved ice with condensed milk and topped with various fruits. In Kagoshima, where it originated, it can be found in coffee shops, but if you want to eat it outside of Kagoshima, it is also sold at convenience stores.
If you're from Kyushu, you're probably familiar with "mousse" from school lunches.
And here is "mousse," a familiar dessert for Fukuoka residents in school lunches. This product is a reproduction of the popular cup mousse dessert served in school lunches in Kyushu, in an easy-to-eat standing pouch. It's a mysterious ice cream that doesn't melt , with a milky flavor and a very unique texture.
Eat directly from the bag "Fukurokori Strawberry"
And let's not forget the bagged shaved ice. Many people in Kyushu probably think that shaved ice is sold in bags. But in fact, this is only available in Kyushu! How do you eat it?
That's right! You eat it directly from the bag! In the past, it was sold at sweet shops, and I'm sure many people feel nostalgic when they see the packaging.
All of the ice creams introduced in this article can be easily purchased at supermarkets or convenience stores, so be sure to give them a try!
[Extra Edition] You might think it's nationwide, but it's actually local! Tasting local Kyushu bread
Kyushu has a lot of delicious local breads. We will introduce the appeal of Kyushu's local breads, focusing on products that can be easily purchased at convenience stores and supermarkets.
A typical local bread! Ryoyu Pan's "Manhattan"
Manhattan is so famous that it's practically a must-try for anyone from Kyushu!
These chocolate-flavored donuts have a uniquely crunchy texture, unlike the fluffy texture of typical donuts. They have an addictive flavor.
"Oikika Gin Choco" has a very impactful package
This one is clearly a Kyushu local specialty! Its gold and silver packaging makes it stand out on the shelves. It's a bread roll filled with cream and then coated in chocolate.
Sometimes I get a little happy when I find a thick layer of chocolate (lol).
When it comes to volume, nothing beats it! "Milk Sandwich"
It's a fluffy bread with milk-flavored cream filling, but it's so big it's probably the size of two regular loaves!
They're sometimes sold for around 90 yen, so they're incredibly cost-effective, and I'm sure many people remember eating them often during their student days!
"Castella Sandwich" with a strange and fun texture
For something a little different, there is the cutely colored "Castella Sandwich." The contrast between the crispy wafer and the soft sponge makes this a unique dish.
Actually, there is no apple in it (lol) "Yaki Ringo"
Takayuki YAMADA also loves this "Baked Apple" bread. Actually, it doesn't contain any apples. It's a simple bread with a cake-like dough and butter cream filling.
Apparently, when this bread was first developed, it came in a bag labeled "Baked Apple," and they started selling it in that bag as a temporary solution, which is how the name stuck (laughs).
If you are from Kyushu, these breads are surely ones that bring back fond memories and that you still love today!
So far, we have been introducing Fukuoka's local Food at length, but all of them are restaurants that you should definitely stop by and foods that you should definitely try! If you come across them, be sure to check them out!
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