Fukuoka is one of places where many “foodies” go visit and enjoy food. You can enjoy not only its taste, and also cheapness!
I would introduce popular and signature food such as Tonkotsu Ramen (Hakata Ramen and Nagahama Ramen), Motsu Nabe, Mizutaki, Mentaiko (Cod roe), Umegae mochi (Japanese sweet), Amaou Ichigo (Strawberry), etc. in Fukuoka that you should try!
Origin of Tonkotsu Ramen
Fukuoka is the origin of Tonkotsu Ramen. You might know “Ichiran” which is also from Fukuoka too.
There is a ton of Ramen shops including food vender there, and you can have it for about 500 – 700 yen.
Kurume Ramen
Kurume Ramen was invented in Kurume City, Fukuoka in 1937 and it was called “Shina soba“(noodle) and soup was clear made by pork broth which is the origin of Tonkotsu ramen. They accidently put fire on strongly and the soup became not clear that is now standard tonkotsu ramen soup that we eat.
Hakata Ramen
Hakata Ramen is one of 3 big ramens in Japan with Kitakata Ramen and Sapporo Ramen, also very known in anywhere in the world. It is Tonkotsu Ramen (broth from pork bone), with thin noodle.
Ippudo, Ichiran, Hakata Ikkosha are going to other countries and making many fans all over the world.
Hakata Ramen was found in 1940, it was not thin noodle with soy sauce + pork broth soup, and called “Soba” instead of Ramen at the time. In 1946, Mr. Yamamura who ran Udon noodle shop and Mr. Tsuda who had Tempura shop created current style Tonkotsu Ramen.
Nagahama Ramen
Nagahama ramen was started at Ganso Nagahama Ya in 1952. They had opened shops in town but it didn’t go well, but it became popular at the store at Fish Market in Ohama. In 1955 the fish market was moved to Nagahama, many stores were opened there.
They started using thin noodle to cook and serve faster for their busy customers who is working at fish market. And they started Kaedama (noodle refill) because thin noodle is easy to get soggy. They started serving a small amount of thin noodle and a system of Kaedama which is very normal system for Hakata Ramen today.
Ichiran Ramen
Ichiran is one of most famous ramen restaurants in Japan from Fukuoka, I have taken my friends who are from Germany, Taiwan, France, USA, and so on and all of them loved it 😉
Motsu Nabe
Motsu Nabe is hotpot with offal, leek, tofu, mushroom, green onion, cabbage and so on.
In general, they put noodle into soup after you eat them and offal and simmer it well.
It is very greasy but much collagen so it’s loved by many people!
Mizutaki
Mizutaki is also a kind of Hotpot. The feature of Mizutaki in Hakata is made with chicken broth soup. People say it is good for your skin because you can get much collagen from Mizutaki.
Tetsunabe Gyoza
In Fukuoka, you can find Gyoza on iron pan which means it’s served hot. Be careful for burning your tongue, and enjoy golden brown crispy Gyoza!!
Tetsu = Iron
Nabe = pot (in this case, more like “pan”)
Mentaiko
Mentaiko is spicy-seasoned Pollock roe, which is very famous and Japanese people eat it with rice. You can also find it in Onigiri (Rice ball), too.
Toshio Kawahara found a company named “Fukuya” which is the oldest Mentaiko company in 1948. There are many Mentaiko company, but i would recommend you to try Fukuya, Yamaya or Kanefuku.
Here is the rate of spiciness if you like/dislike spicy food.
[Spiciness] Karashi Mentaiko > Mentaiko > Tarako
I personally like Tarako, just saying,
Also, Menbei is famous souvenir from Fukuoka. Menbei is short for “Mentaiko” + “Senbei”(Rice cracker).
Umegae mochi
It’s a mochi sweet that you often see around Dazaifu Tenmangu.
Outside is made by rice, and there is red bean paste inside. You can buy it for a couple of dollars!
Amaou Ichigo – Strawberry
The strawberry named Amaou is from Fukuoka and very popular in Japan. It is not only delicious but also shiny and beautiful red.
Its sweetness is perfect which absolutely satisfied you well 🍓
Ichigo = strawberry
How many dishes/food did you know? 😉
I would recommend you to have Tonkotsu Ramen for sure!
