Fukuoka is the central city of the Kyushu region, and its food culture also attracts foreign tourists. With a wide variety of cuisines, including Hakata ramen, and gourmet spots, you're sure to satisfy both your taste buds and your soul.

Enjoy Fukuoka's traditional dishes and local gourmet food that are popular among foreigners

Fukuoka is a fascinating city that combines historical sites, beautiful nature, and a rich food culture.

The area is dotted with a variety of tourist attractions, including Tenjin, one of Japan's leading entertainment districts, the charming streets of Nakasu and Hakata, and the historic Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

The center of Fukuoka cuisine is the area around Hakata City and Kitakyushu City, but there are also many other areas where you can enjoy local Fukuoka cuisine, so be sure to find your own favorite flavors throughout your trip.

Recommended gourmet food in Fukuoka Prefecture

From here, we will introduce some recommended gourmet foods that you definitely want to try when you visit Fukuoka Prefecture.

Hakata ramen

Hakata ramen is a local gourmet dish that represents Fukuoka, and its appeal is known throughout Japan.

It features pork bone soup and extremely thin straight noodles, and its rich flavor attracts many gourmets and tourists. The rich pork bone soup, made by slowly simmering pork bones, has a very rich and deep flavor.

The long simmering process releases collagen from the bone marrow into the soup, giving it a thick texture and flavour.

The noodles that go well with the soup are also excellent.
The extremely thin, straight noodles absorb the flavor of the soup well and have just the right amount of firmness and chewiness.

The ingredients are usually the standard ones such as pork slices and spring onions, but the Hakata style is to add toppings such as pickled ginger and takana.

You can experience the charms of Hakata ramen at many restaurants, from small ramen shops on the street corner to famous shops, so be sure to try it if you visit Fukuoka!

Mentaiko

Along with Hakata ramen, mentaiko is one of the most representative Hakata delicacies.

Mentaiko is made from pollock roe seasoned with a liquid containing chili peppers, and its spicy kick makes it a great dish to go with rice.

Mentaiko has become well established nationwide as a Hakata gourmet food, but it has not actually been a local Fukuoka dish since ancient times. It is said that the roots of Hakata mentaiko date back to when Japanese people who returned from Korea after World War II recreated the taste of mentaiko they had eaten there and spread it around the country.

Mentaiko is a popular souvenir, but in Fukuoka, where it originates, it is something truly special when served luxuriously on top of rice!

Motsunabe

Motsunabe is a hot pot dish made by simmering beef offal (inserts) in a soy sauce-based soup and enjoying it with vegetables.
Offal is a nutritious food that is high in protein, low in calories, and rich in vitamins.

Not only is it a great way to eat plenty of vegetables, it is also rich in collagen, making it a local delicacy that is extremely popular among women who are concerned about their health and beauty.

In recent years, new styles and variations of motsunabe-based dishes have appeared, and the dish has evolved to meet a wide range of needs.
Motsunabe is a gourmet dish representative of Hakata and is well-known throughout Japan, loved by many people.

Why not share the warm flavor and joy of eating it and spend a moment that warms both your body and soul?

Mizutaki

Mizutaki is a local dish that represents Fukuoka and should not be forgotten.
Mizutaki is a very simple and delicate gourmet dish among Japanese hot pot dishes.

Its defining feature is its simple cooking methods that bring out the best flavor of the ingredients.
The basic ingredients are chicken, vegetables, stock, and sauce, and they emphasize using no unnecessary seasonings to bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients. This simplicity, in turn, emphasizes the freshness and quality of the ingredients, bringing out their best qualities.

Made with chicken stock as the base, it has a refreshing taste, yet the flavor of the chicken and the umami of the vegetables blend perfectly together for a fantastic combination.

One of the joys of Mizutaki is savoring the soup down to the last drop with rice or noodles as the final dish of the hot pot.

Yakitori

Yakitori may be surprising to hear as a Fukuoka delicacy, but the Kyushu area has always had a very high consumption of chicken, and Fukuoka Prefecture is no exception.
There are many yakitori restaurants in this area, so it is no exaggeration to say that it is a highly competitive area.

A distinctive feature of Fukuoka yakitori is that it is always served with roughly cut cabbage when you order. The yakitori you order is placed on top of the cabbage on your plate, and you sometimes eat some cabbage as a palate cleanser.
You can have as much cabbage as you like, so you can eat as much as you like without hesitation.

It's also worth noting that even though it's a yakitori restaurant, pork belly is a standard menu item.
Of course you should try the tender chicken, but be sure to also try the pork belly from the yakitori restaurant, which is a must-try among locals!

Hakata Udon

When it comes to noodles in Fukuoka, Hakata ramen is the only one that stands out, but in fact, Jotenji Temple in Hakata Ward has a stone monument that reads "Birthplace of Udon and Soba," and is also said to be the birthplace of udon.

The defining feature of Fukuoka udon is its soft texture.
Sanuki udon from Kagawa, the prefecture of udon, has a firm texture, but Fukuoka udon is softer and is boiled in advance so that it can be served immediately.

The refreshing soup, made with flying fish stock and bonito flakes, goes down easy and is popular with busy Hakata residents.

Soft and fluffy udon noodles are perfect for when you want to give your stomach a break during your trip.

stall

Although it is a little different from the individual dishes, we should not forget the existence of Fukuoka's famous yatai (food stalls).

The center of Fukuoka's yatai (food stalls) is the Tenjin and Nakasu area, but there are also many stores in the Nagahama area, which is famous for ramen.

It's great to enjoy the classic food stalls like ramen and oden, but it's also fun to try new styles like steakhouses and cafes.

Many of the food stalls open in the evening, operating from 1am to 3am.
Many stores are closed on rainy days, so be sure to check before heading out!

Access from the airport

It is easy to get to the city from Fukuoka Airport, the main airport in Fukuoka. You can get to the city from Fukuoka Airport by subway or bus. The journey takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

Fukuoka city is also home to many restaurants and eateries, making it the perfect area to enjoy gourmet food.

Location of Fukuoka Prefecture

summary

Fukuoka is a treasure trove of gourmet delights that are appealing to foreign tourists. You can fully enjoy the taste of traditional cuisine, the variety of local gourmet foods, and the charms of local gourmet spots. When you visit Japan, be sure to enjoy Fukuoka's delicious cuisine to your heart's content. Delicious food that will delight your tongue and your heart is waiting for you.

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