Fukuoka Prefecture is a treasure trove of gourmet food.

But do you know about "Hakata udon," a dish that is loved by the locals? In fact, it is hardly available outside of Kyushu, and there are many restaurants that serve it independently within the prefecture.

This time, let's explore the appeal of Hakata udon, Fukuoka's soul food.

What is Fukuoka's local gourmet food "Hakata udon"? Why is it so soft?

Hakata udon is a dish characterized by its soft, fluffy noodles and elegant, light broth. Many restaurants in the city heat up boiled udon noodles only after an order is placed, but the reason for this is that Hakata was a thriving merchant town at the time, and the culture of heating pre-boiled noodles and serving them became widespread so that busy merchants could have meals quickly.

The soup stock used in Hakata udon is also unique, made with a base of kelp, bonito flakes, mackerel flakes, dried sardines, and other fish, to which light soy sauce and mirin are added. The soup stock has a light and mellow flavor and a clear golden color, and is so delicious that you'll want to drink it all up.

It is common to top it with burdock tempura or maruten (fish paste shaped into balls and deep-fried), and it is also popular to order "kashiwa-meshi," a rice dish cooked with chicken.

The history and origins of Hakata udon

According to one theory, udon is said to have originated in Hakata. As evidence of this, there is a stone monument at Jotenji Temple in front of Hakata Station that reads "Birthplace of Udon and Soba."

Long ago, Shoichi Kokushi, a monk at Jotenji Temple, visited China (then Song Dynasty) and is said to have brought back udon flour milling techniques while studying the culture of the continent. It is also said that the culture of eating udon and soba spread from Fukuoka to the rest of the country.

For that reason, udon is still popular today as a quick lunch, a final dish after drinking, or for breakfast.

How to make Hakata udon and how to make the broth

Hakata udon noodles are soft enough to bite into, but the fact that they are boiled beforehand is not the only feature. The main ingredient is wheat from Kyushu, which gives the noodles their chewy texture. Also, some restaurants make the udon by "stomping on the noodles with their feet."

The dashi stock used in Hakata udon varies from restaurant to restaurant, but most are made by adding kelp to water, removing it just before it boils, then adding bonito flakes, mackerel flakes, dried sardines, and dried sardines, and cooking on low heat to make the dashi. Light soy sauce and mirin are then added to the dashi stock, and the dashi is ready. The ingredients used are simple, but the delicate dashi stock, full of seafood flavor, goes perfectly with the soft, chewy udon noodles. Please give it a try.

How to eat Hakata udon deliciously

Hakata udon is served in a variety of styles depending on the store. Here are some examples.

First, at popular udon restaurants in Fukuoka, piping hot soup stock is served in a kettle along with the udon. As time passes, the udon absorbs the soup stock and becomes fluffy, and then more soup stock is added to it.

Also, when it comes to Hakata udon, toppings such as burdock tempura and maruten are essential. At some stores, they serve julienned burdock, at others they serve thinly sliced burdock that is coated in batter and deep-fried, and at other stores they serve a whole burdock deep-fried; the variety is varied. One popular menu item is "beef and burdock tempura udon," which is burdock tempura topped with sweet and spicy beef.

Another great thing about Hakata udon is that you can customize it however you like with a wide variety of toppings, such as tempura flakes, green onions, grated kelp, yuzu pepper, etc. Dip your udon in the elegant, fragrant broth and enjoy the taste down to the last bite.

Recommended sightseeing spots in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City

From here, we will introduce some recommended spots around Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.

If you come to Hakata, you should definitely visit Nakasu!

Nakasu is sandwiched between the Naka River and the Hakata River and is said to be the busiest shopping district in western Japan.

There are over 2,000 restaurants in the area, and many charming food stalls line the Naka River. At night, colorful neon lights shine, and the scenery reflected on the surface of the Naka River is beautiful.

It has also been used as a filming location in movies, and is one of the must-see sights when you come to Hakata.

Canal City Hakata: an entertainment space that spreads out from the canal

Canal City Hakata, a large shopping facility in Hakata Ward, is an "urban theater" where you can experience a variety of things, centered around the canal that runs north to south.

The dynamic fountain show, which utilizes 3D projection mapping, is sure to thrill visitors with its vibrant lighting and sound.

The facility also houses a hotel, a movie theater, a theater, and over 200 shops where you can enjoy shopping and dining. There is also a Ramen Stadium with eight ramen shops from all over Japan, so be sure to stop by.

Kushida Shrine, the shrine that enshrines the guardian deity of Hakata

The last shrine we would like to introduce is Kushida Shrine, which enshrines the guardian deity of Hakata.

This is a place where the decorated floats used in the summer festival "Hakata Gion Yamakasa" are on display. The floats, which stand over 10 meters tall, are so beautiful and gorgeous that you'll find yourself taking photos right away.

It is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and is definitely worth a visit.

Access to Fukuoka City

From here, we will introduce how to access Fukuoka City.

Fukuoka is easily accessible from all over the country, so if you're coming from Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka, we recommend flying.

It takes about two hours from Tokyo's Haneda or Narita International Airport to Fukuoka or Kitakyushu Airport, about one hour and 35 minutes from Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport, and about one hour and 20 minutes from Osaka's Kansai International Airport.

It is convenient to use the Shinkansen to travel from Chubu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

It takes about an hour from Hiroshima to Hakata Station, and about an hour and 45 minutes from Kagoshima.

Location of Fukuoka Prefecture

summary

This time we introduced Fukuoka's local gourmet food, "Hakata Udon."

There are many restaurants that serve ramen that offers soft, fluffy noodles, unique toppings, and mellow, flavorful broth that can only be found locally.

Be sure to check out Hakata udon, a popular dish in Fukuoka!

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