"Mizutaki" is a local B-class gourmet food in Fukuoka. With its deep chicken flavor and simple taste, "Mizutaki" is loved by locals all year round.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of mizutaki.

Characteristics of Mizutaki

"Mizutaki" is a simple yet attractive hot pot dish that has a deep flavor. Unlike other hot pot dishes, it does not rely on seasonings, but instead brings out the flavor of the chicken to the fullest. By slowly simmering bone-in chicken in water, the clear soup gradually turns cloudy, and a rich flavor spreads throughout.

The ingredients used in mizutaki are also one of the charms of this dish. While Chinese cabbage is often used in regular hot pot dishes, Fukuoka mizutaki uses cabbage. The use of cabbage brings out the sweetness of the soup, allowing you to enjoy a rich flavor until the very end. Furthermore, by simmering vegetables such as shiitake mushrooms and green onions together, the flavor of the ingredients blends into the soup, creating an excellent balance with the umami of the chicken.

The soup in Fukuoka's mizutaki is so flavorful that it can be eaten without any dipping sauce. First, try the soup, which is packed with the delicious flavor of chicken, and experience the simple charm of mizutaki. Another great part of the dish is enjoying it with ponzu sauce, which has been seasoned with condiments, halfway through.

A popular way to finish off a meal of mizutaki is to add some egg and spring onion to the rice porridge. This rice porridge is infused with the delicious flavor of the chicken, making it especially delicious. By adding egg and spring onion, you can enjoy a richer flavor. Some restaurants add champon noodles to finish off the meal, allowing you to enjoy a variety of different arrangements.

Mizutaki is said to be good for your health and beauty. The collagen from the chicken in the soup moisturizes your skin and supports your health from the inside out. Another great thing about it is that you can enjoy a nutritious, low-calorie meal while also getting some beauty benefits.

The History of Mizutaki

The history of Fukuoka's "Mizutaki" dates back to the Meiji period.

The birthplace of Mizutaki is the long-established restaurant "Suigetsu" in Hirao, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. The restaurant's founder, Heizaburo Hayashida, is originally from Nagasaki and traveled to Hong Kong to study cooking at the age of 15. There, he lived with an English family and learned how to make Western consommé and Chinese chicken simmered in water.

Using those techniques, he adapted the dish to suit Japanese tastes, and this was the birth of "Hakata Mizutaki." Hayashida perfected the current flavor through a process of trial and error, combining chickens raised deep in the mountains with those raised near the coast. This commitment is still carried on today, and you can enjoy the dish at many Mizutaki restaurants in Fukuoka.

Mizutaki also developed as a home-cooking dish by Hakata's "gorion-san" (the landlady of a merchant's house). The original simple dish was improved to become more nutritious by adding vegetables and tofu. In this way, the flavor beloved in households spread to traditional Japanese restaurants as well, and became established as a part of Hakata's food culture.

Mizutaki is not only a hot pot dish to stave off the cold in winter, but is also an essential dish in the spring when early cabbage is in season and after the summer Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival. After the festival, it is customary for men to eat mizutaki to build up their strength, and for this reason it has long been a beloved part of Fukuoka's food culture.

Fukuoka Tourist Information

There are many tourist spots in Fukuoka where you can eat mizutaki. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.

Fukuoka Tower

Fukuoka Tower is the tallest seaside tower in Japan, boasting a total length of 234m, and is loved by many people as a symbol of Fukuoka. From the observation deck 123m above ground, you can get a 360-degree view of the beautiful scenery of Fukuoka city and its surroundings, and at night the lights of the downtown area create a fantastic view.

There are restaurants and cafes inside the tower, and dinner while watching the glittering night view is exceptional. In addition, the seasonal illuminations show new charms every time you visit. Fukuoka Tower is a popular tourist spot that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, day or night.

Canal City Hakata

Canal City Hakata is a large-scale commercial complex that has something for everyone. You can enjoy shopping at a wide range of items such as food, miscellaneous goods, and fashion. Restaurants and cafes offer cuisine from around the world and local flavors, making it the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family.

In addition, there are free shows held every day where you can enjoy various performances such as musicals, dance, and magic. Many artworks are also exhibited inside the building, making it a popular spot for taking great photos on social media.

Jotenji Temple

Jotenji is a historic temple known as the birthplace of Hakata's summer festival, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. The festival is said to have begun when, during an epidemic, monks rode on a platform for offerings to the dead and sprinkled water all over the town while being carried, praying for the plague to go away. It is also said to be the place where the methods of making udon, soba, and manju were first introduced in Japan, and is deeply connected to food culture.

One of the highlights is the Washito Garden, a rock garden with a beautiful wave pattern. In particular, during the autumn foliage season in November, the garden turns red and yellow, further enhancing the beauty of the dry landscape. During this time, the Hakata Old Town Light Up Walk Sennen Koya is also held, allowing you to enjoy the fantastic illuminated scenery.

How to get to Fukuoka

Fukuoka, an attractive city for both gourmet food and sightseeing, has a variety of ways to access it.

Fukuoka Prefecture is easily accessible by air and land. If you are traveling from Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka, it is convenient to fly to Fukuoka Airport or Kitakyushu Airport.

If you take the subway from Fukuoka Airport, you will arrive at Hakata Station in about 5 minutes. From Kitakyushu Airport to Kokura Station, it will take about 35 minutes by bus. If you are traveling within the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, or Kyushu, we recommend using the Shinkansen. It will take about 1 hour from Hiroshima, and about 1 hour and 50 minutes from Kagoshima.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive there by car. Try finding the best way to get there.

Location of Fukuoka Prefecture

summary

Mizutaki is a simple yet flavorful dish that features a soup that brings out the delicious flavor of chicken and is balanced with seasonal vegetables.

If you visit Fukuoka, be sure to try Mizutaki.

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