Hakata Restaurant Guide
Hakata is a charming business district in the heart of Fukuoka Prefecture, and is one of the oldest cities in Japan. It started out as a base for Chinese and Korean trade ships doing business with local merchants and expanded into a hub for cruise ship tourism as well. With so many tourists in the area, restaurants serving local delicacies began to flourish. Here are a number of dishes you must try on your next visit to Hakata.
The most popular dish is Hakata ramen, made with savory tonkotsu broth (pork bone broth). The cloudy pork broth soup is rich in flavor packed into every bite of noodles. Another must-try side is motsunabe, a chewy and savory hotpot dish made with tripe and green onions. Mizutaki is a delectable chicken hotpot dish to sample, and Hakata mentaiko, or pollock roe, is popular also as omiyage (souvenirs). Hakata’s night markets are teeming with life—selling goods as well as local delicacies in food stalls in the street. Visit the Tenjin, Nakasu, and Nagahama areas for a taste of all Hakata has to offer.
If you’re around Hakata Station looking for a bit of dessert or a souvenir to bring back for your friends and family, then you must try Hakata torimon cake. These sugary manju (fluffy rice buns) filled with white bean paste are the perfect take-away for tourists with a sweet-tooth.