What to Eat in Fukuoka Japan – The Ultimate Food Guide

I’ve been living in Fukuoka for over 4 years, and one of the things I can’t get tired of? The wonderful food scene! 

Here are some dishes and dining experiences you should try when visiting Fukuoka – recommended by a local who has visited over 700 restaurants, cafes, and bars in Japan!

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This list includes classic Fukuoka specialties like mizutaki, motsunabe, and ramen, as well as other delicious dishes.

Welcome to Fukuoka, let’s eat!

What to Eat in Fukuoka, Japan

Note that this is a bite-sized list to get you started. For the complete list of restaurants and dishes to try, you’ll want to see the Foodie’s Guide to Fukuoka, Japan.

• Hakata Ramen (博多ラーメン)
• Other Ramen / Noodles
• Yatai Food Stalls (屋台)
• Mizutaki (水炊き)
• Unagi Seiro Mushi – Steamed Eel (うなぎのせいろ蒸し)
• Kakigoya Oyster Huts -Winter (カキ小屋)
• Tachinomi Stand Bars (立ち飲み)
• Pastries (パン屋)
• A Foodie’s Guide to Fukuoka, Japan – Digital Guide
• Things to Know About Dining in Japan

Hakata Ramen (博多ラーメン)　

Fukuoka’s iconic dish is a steaming bowl of Hakata Ramen. Characterized by a thick tonkotsu (pork bone) broth, this soup is slowly simmered for hours and comes topped with thin, straight noodles. 

For a place with a variety of ramen shops, check out Ramen Stadium in Canal City or Ramen Alley in Hakata Station. Other places to try this staple dish include:

• Shin Shin – A solid chain store for Hakata Ramen. I recommend the noodles al dente or “hard style” called “katamen” in Japanese. There are multiple stores around the city, so search Google for one near you.
• Ichiran – Founded in 1960 in Fukuoka, this store has gained popularity and fans worldwide. Visit one of the many shops around the city, and enjoy eating your own bowl of customized ramen at a private counter seat.
• BUGORO ALL VEGAN – Vegan travelers, you’re in luck! I recently found this completely vegan restaurant that serves a great bowl of Hakata Ramen. I was so surprised by how much flavor it had! They also serve Vegan Karaage and Vegan Gyoza, both worth trying!

Other Ramen / Noodles

While Hakata Ramen is the most famous type of ramen in Fukuoka, there are many other delicious soup bases and eating styles to try.

• Mengekijou Gen-ei – Enter this shop and experience a ramen “theater performance”. The layout of this restaurant is like a theater with all the seats facing the front. The chef prepares the food at center stage. Specialty flavors include shrimp and tantan men.
• Ramen Kanetora – Try the standard style of tsukemen dipping noodles here! The fish flake and pork bone broth is thicker and more heavily seasoned than normal ramen. Dip in the noodles and enjoy the rich flavors. Spice lovers can challenge the spicy version as well. There is a branch in the PARCO Shopping mall too.  

Yatai Food Stalls　(屋台)　

For a fun evening experience, head to a yatai! Yatais are outdoor food stalls that pop up in the evening and are taken down each night. Each stall offers a unique, intimate experience where you can see the chefs cooking up close and mingle with other customers. Want to know some of my favorite yatais? Check out the Foodie’s Guide to Fukuoka, Japan.

And if you want to explore yatais with a local, I recommend joining a tour! This tour on byFood was great fun and even I, who has been in Japan for years, had a great time visiting new places and trying new dishes. Bruce and his team are wonderful!

Here is a map of the yatais around the city (updated as of August 2023). 

Many yatais are located along the Nakasu River. While this is a good area to walk through to feel the buzz of the atmosphere, I prefer eating at the yatais in other areas around the city. 

Mizutaki (水炊き)

Mizutaki is a rich soup dish made from premium chicken. The birds are cooked for many hours to create a delicate broth that can be seasoned with a pinch of salt and green onion. Mizutaki meals are typically on the more expensive side.

• Mizutaki Nagano – This place offers course meals that feature a delicate soup broth that changes flavor as ingredients are cooked in it. Read the full post here.

Unagi Seiro Mushi – Steamed Eel (うなぎのせいろ蒸し)

Another luxury dish that is popular in Fukuoka is unagi, or freshwater eel. Yanagawa is one of the top places to taste Seiro Mushi, a steamed unagi and rice dish. Learn more about Yanagawa and Seiro Mushi.

• Ganso Motoyoshiya– A 12-minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station, this restaurant provides an extremely elegant dining experience with a view of a Japanese garden.
• Saraya Fukuryu– An unagi specialty restaurant located in a small shopping square near the end of the canal punting route. Full and mini-size seiro mushi sets are available, as are steamed unagi onigiris.

Kakigoya Oyster Huts -Winter (カキ小屋)

Oyster huts or kakigoya are mainly found in Itoshima and are a winter treat you won’t want to miss. Order oysters by the kilo and enjoy grilling them over hot coals. Learn more about oyster huts here!

Tachinomi Standing Bars (立ち飲み)

Stand bars are fun places to enjoy small plates along with a drink or two. Many locals usually hop from one place to another during the night. 

• Wine & Tempura ARAKI –  Located under the fancy Miyako Hotel by Hakata Station, this place serves small tempura plates and wine. 
• Some other places where you can enjoy standing and drinking include: Neo Megusta, SPICEMEGUSTA and Stand by Me – Café & Stand
• There are also fun stand-bars inside Hakata Station! 

Pastries (パン屋)

For breakfast or a snack during the day, here are some places for an assortment of baked goods.

• Dacomecca (ダコメッカ) – This bakery is close to Hakata Station and has a large selection of items, including savory sandwiches and sweet baked goods. It can get very busy, so get there early or plan to wait.  
• il FORNO del MIGNON – Also inside Hakata Station, the smell of the fresh croissants from here will make you want to stop and try! Sold by weight.
• Antique – This cafe has Alice in Wonderland Vibes. They have cat-shaped bread loaves and other baked goods with cute faces. There is a new branch that opened in Hakata. 

A Foodie’s Guide to Fukuoka, Japan – Digital Guide

Want to learn more about Fukouka’s food scene? This is just a sample of the information and restaurant recommendations included in the complete digital guide. If you want to learn more about Yakitori, One-Bite Gyoza, Motsunabe, Mentaiko, Sushi, Yakiniku, Soba, Udon, and more, check out the guide!

A comprehensive guide to discovering Fukuoka’s vibrant food scene. Created with travelers in mind by someone who has explored hundreds of restaurants and bars in Japan.

The 40+ pages are packed with pictures that might make you drool, as well as access to a custom Google Map with clickable location pins. Save the map to your Google account and use it to plan your next Fukuoka adventure! (Map access requires an internet connection.) A detailed list of over 50 restaurants in Fukuoka city and beyond. Tips on how to enjoy dining in Japan, an area overview, and insight into the region’s top dishes.

Things to Know About Dining in Japan

Here are some things to keep in mind to help you have a smooth time eating out in Japan!

• Credit Cards are not always accepted! It’s always good to bring cash to pay if needed. 
• Some places serve “otoshi,” which is a small dish that comes when you sit down. It is similar to a table charge and will be added to the bill at the end (even if you don’t eat it).  
• The operating hours listed on Google might not always be correct. It’s best to double-check the most recent information, usually on a restaurant’s Instagram Story or homepage. 
• Some places have a “one drink order” policy, meaning each person needs to order at least one drink. Non-alcoholic drinks are okay to order. 
• Tipping is not required or expected. If you are at a bar and would like to show your appreciation, order a drink for the bartender or staff instead. 
• Some places do not have English menus. In this case, try using the photo function on Google Translate to help translate, or point out a picture you are interested in from a review that is posted on Google Maps. 

Want More Fukuoka Recommendations?

Want to learn more about daily life and recommended places to visit in Fukuoka? Follow me on Instagram and YouTube, where I post more about living abroad in Japan.

Want to learn about more things to do in Fukuoka? Check out: What to Do in Fukuoka – 20 Local Recs to Add To Your Itinerary

For more food-related content:

• What to Do in Itoshima, Fukuoka – Activity and Food Guide
• Best Food to Eat on Itsukushima Island (Miyajima)