Fukuoka is known as a city with an abundance of delicious gourmet food, with tonkotsu ramen, motsunabe (offal hotpot), and mentaiko (spicy cod roe) being especially well-known nationwide.
If you want to enjoy a wide variety of local specialties, we recommend that you understand basic information about Fukuoka, its food culture, popular gourmet foods, and stores.
In this article, we will introduce 10 recommended gourmet spots and popular restaurants to enjoy in Fukuoka. We will also explain the food culture, characteristics, and transportation methods, so please use this as a reference for your travel plans.

Basic information about Fukuoka

Fukuoka Prefecture is the center of the Kyushu region, where people, things, and information gather. The prefectural capital, Fukuoka City, is the largest city in Kyushu and is the political, economic, and cultural center of the region.
Blessed with a warm climate and abundant nature, it has flourished as a gateway to Asia since ancient times. It is famous nationwide as a city with delicious gourmet food, but it also has many diverse tourist spots with a wealth of history, culture, and nature.
Understanding basic information about Fukuoka will make it easier to plan a satisfying trip. Here, we have summarized Fukuoka's status as the center of Kyushu and its food culture.

The heart of Kyushu

Fukuoka Prefecture is an important base in Kyushu, so much so that it is called the center of Kyushu. The prefecture is home to Hakata Port and Fukuoka Airport, and has played the role of a gateway to Asia both in the past and present.
The transportation network is also well-developed, with bullet trains and expressways, and access to other parts of Kyushu is good. Various forms of transportation are available within the city.
Furthermore, thanks to the area's favorable climate and natural environment, agriculture and fishing are thriving.

Fukuoka's Food Culture

Fukuoka Prefecture is blessed with abundant nature, so there is an abundance of fresh ingredients. Seafood in particular is synonymous with Fukuoka cuisine.
Fukuoka's food culture has developed independently despite being influenced by the continent, giving birth to nationally famous dishes such as tonkotsu ramen and mentaiko.
In addition, the food stall culture is deeply rooted in the area, allowing people to easily enjoy local cuisine. This unique food culture is a fascinating one that is woven together with history and the local climate.
When you go sightseeing, be sure to enjoy Fukuoka's delicious gourmet food.

10 gourmet spots and recommended restaurants to enjoy in Fukuoka

Some of the delicacies you can enjoy in Fukuoka include tonkotsu ramen, Hakata udon, motsunabe, mizutaki, yakitori, grilled curry, mentaiko, gyoza, amaou strawberries, and seafood dishes.
Here we have summarized the characteristics of each gourmet dish and recommended stores.

1. Tonkotsu Ramen

The most famous dish in Fukuoka is tonkotsu ramen. It is made by simmering tonkotsu for a long time, and the richness and flavor of the pork bones are condensed into a collagen-rich soup. It goes perfectly with the thin, straight noodles, and is so delicious that you'll want to drink up the soup.
There are many tonkotsu ramen restaurants in Fukuoka city, but one that is particularly recommended is Ramen Nijobo Hakata Main Branch.
The soup is made only from the heads and knuckles of thoroughly prepared pigs, and has a rich, mellow flavor without any particular odor. The extremely thin noodles have a wonderful wheat flavor and a good texture, making them popular even among people who don't like tonkotsu.

2. Hakata Udon

When you think of Fukuoka, you probably think of ramen, but not many people think of udon. Hakata udon is one of Fukuoka's representative soul foods. It is characterized by fluffy, soft noodles and a clear broth made with light soy sauce.
It is topped with burdock tempura and maruten. There are many famous Hakata udon restaurants in Fukuoka city, but the one we recommend the most is "Inaba Udon."
This long-established restaurant has been loved by locals for many years, and its chewy noodles and flavorful broth have attracted many repeat customers. Of course, you can also enjoy the taste of the udon to your heart's content.

3. Motsunabe

Motsunabe is also a must-try dish in Fukuoka. It is a hot pot dish made with beef and pork innards, and is known as a winter staple in Fukuoka. The typical way to eat it is to simmer plump offal and vegetables in a rich soup.
There are many motsunabe specialty restaurants in Fukuoka city, but one that we particularly recommend is "Motsuyuki."
This famous restaurant is loved by locals, and the secret sauce used is said to be unforgettable once you've tried it. The umami of the offal is also of high quality, making this a must-try restaurant for those who love offal.

4. Mizutaki

Mizutaki is a hot pot dish made with chicken, and is a seasonal dish that can be said to be a seasonal feature of winter in Fukuoka. It is characterized by a cloudy soup made by simmering chicken bones for a long time, and is full of the flavor of the chicken. Ingredients include chicken, as well as vegetables and tofu.
There are many famous Mizutaki restaurants scattered throughout Fukuoka City, but one that is particularly recommended is "Fujiyoshi." In addition to using fresh chicken, the careful preparation of the dish has earned it many repeat customers. This is a famous Mizutaki restaurant that is loved by local residents.

5. Yakitori

Yakitori is also a standard Fukuoka dish. Yakitori is a dish of grilled skewered chicken, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is a standard dish nationwide, but Fukuoka yakitori uses pork belly. You will definitely become addicted to its juicy taste once you try it.
Additionally, "torikawa," chicken skin wrapped around a skewer, is also known as a Fukuoka specialty.
One recommended restaurant in Fukuoka is Nejikemon, a vegetable-maki skewer shop. They serve yakitori made with fresh chicken and carefully grilled over charcoal, as well as vegetable rolls wrapped around pork belly.

6. Grilled curry

Yaki curry is known as a local delicacy in the Fukuoka and Kitakyushu regions. It is a dish made by pouring curry over rice, topping it with cheese and eggs, and baking it in an oven. In addition to its striking appearance, it is characterized by the rich flavor of the curry and cheese.
There are many delicious baked curry restaurants in Fukuoka Prefecture, but one that we particularly recommend is "Kari Honpo Mojiko Retro Branch."
This famous restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike, and the grilled curry, which is a perfect match of homemade curry sauce and plenty of cheese, is delicious. The restaurant is also in a great location, making it the perfect place for tourists.

7. Mentaiko

Mentaiko is a food made from pollock roe seasoned with chili peppers and other ingredients, and is one of Fukuoka's most famous souvenirs. It is usually eaten on top of pasta or rice, but it is also popular as an ingredient in onigiri and ochazuke.
There are many mentaiko specialty stores in Fukuoka Prefecture, but one in particular, "Fukuya," is known as the store where mentaiko first originated, and is a popular souvenir.
If you want to enjoy mentaiko for lunch or dinner, we recommend the "Original Hakata Mentai-ju." The signature item, "Original Hakata Mentai-ju," is a popular special bento box of pickled mentaiko wrapped in kelp and placed on rice covered with nori seaweed.

8. Gyoza

Gyoza is known as a street food in Fukuoka. It is characterized by small bite-sized gyoza, and is known for its crispy skin and delicious juicy filling.
There are many famous gyoza restaurants in Fukuoka city, but one in particular that is loved by locals is "Hakata Gion Tetsunabe." It features handmade skins and a filling full of vegetables, and goes perfectly with beer.

9. Amaou

Amaou is a variety of strawberry produced in Fukuoka Prefecture, and is characterized by its sweetness and large size. Many cafes offer sweets made with Amaou for a limited time, but these are mainly available from November to April, so be sure to check in advance.
There are many sweets shops in Fukuoka Prefecture that use Amaou strawberries, but the one we recommend is Ichigoya Cafe TANNAL's signature dish, the "Tannal Amaou Parfait with Freshly Picked Strawberries."
As this cafe is run by the Amaou farm "Isomoto Farm," you can always enjoy freshly picked strawberries. However, it is only available for a limited time, so be sure to check in advance if you plan to visit.

10. Seafood

Fukuoka is a coastal area, so there is an abundance of fresh seafood, and the seafood caught in the Genkai Sea in particular is famous for its high quality.
There are many delicious seafood restaurants in Fukuoka City, but we recommend "Nagahama Fresh Fish Wholesaler Hakata Uosuke." They serve carefully selected seafood landed at the Nagahama Fresh Fish Market. The dish is made with fresh fish purchased on the day, and goes well with local sake and shochu.
When you visit Fukuoka, we recommend trying the fresh seafood along with other gourmet foods.

Main means of transportation within Fukuoka Prefecture

There are four main means of transportation within Fukuoka Prefecture: bus, subway, train, and rental car. Each has its own unique characteristics, so it's best to understand them in advance.
Here we will explain the four modes of transportation in detail.

bus

Buses are an essential means of transportation within Fukuoka Prefecture. Nishitetsu buses run through the city and connect major tourist spots, making them ideal for sightseeing.

The Fukuoka Open Top Bus is a particularly popular sightseeing bus that connects Fukuoka Tower, Umi-no-Nakamichi Seaside Park, Nokonoshima Island, and more. It is an open-top double-decker bus that allows you to enjoy sightseeing while enjoying the views of Fukuoka.

In addition, articulated buses operate from Hakata Port International Terminal to Hakata Station and Tenjin. These buses are less affected by traffic jams and are easy to carry suitcases on, making them a convenient way to get from the airport to the city.

Among the buses that run within the prefecture, there are several vehicles that are specialized for sightseeing. Make sure to choose the bus that best suits your purpose.

subway

There are three subway lines operating within Fukuoka city.

The Airport Line connects Fukuoka Airport with Hakata Station, and is easily accessible, taking just 5 minutes to Hakata Station and 11 minutes to Tenjin Station. The Hakozaki Line is a line consisting of stations including Maidashi-Kyudai Hospital-mae Station, Hakozakimiya-mae Station, and Kaizuka Station, connecting the eastern part of Fukuoka City with the center.

The Nanakuma Line runs from Tenjin Minami Station to Hashimoto Station via Yakuin Station and Beppu Station, and crosses the western part of Fukuoka City.

All of these lines connect major tourist spots and downtown areas, making them convenient for sightseeing in the city. You can also transfer to other modes of transport at major stations such as Hakata Station, Tenjin Station, and Hakata Port Station.

We recommend that you find out more about the area from information provided in free tourist brochures.

Train

Railways operated by JR Kyushu connect major cities in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Hakata Station is the departure and arrival station for the Kyushu Shinkansen and limited express trains, and is also directly connected to Fukuoka Airport Station. From Fukuoka City to Kitakyushu City, you can travel to Kokura Station via the Kagoshima Main Line in about an hour.

You can also get from Fukuoka City to Kurume City via the Kagoshima Main Line to Kurume Station in about 30 minutes. Furthermore, you can get to Dazaifu Station, the closest station to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, in about 30 minutes from Hakata Station via the Kagoshima Main Line to Futsukaichi Station on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line.

On the other hand, the railway operated by Nishitetsu connects Fukuoka City with the Chikuho and Chikugo regions. It takes about 30 minutes to get from Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station to Dazaifu Station on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line, and about 20 minutes to get from Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station to Futsukaichi Station on the Tenjin-Omuta Line.

To get to know the trains, we recommend purchasing a map, just like with the subway. It's also a good idea to make use of any free tourist brochures available.

Rental Car

There are many offices of major rental car companies around Fukuoka Airport and Hakata Station. By renting a car, you can easily get to places that are difficult to reach by public transportation, allowing you to enjoy a flexible trip.

The Fukuoka Urban Expressway is convenient for traveling from Fukuoka City to other parts of the prefecture. In addition to having a route network in Fukuoka City and the surrounding cities, it also has 38 toll gates, allowing you to travel smoothly to your destination.

The fee is a flat rate of 630 yen for a standard car regardless of distance (discounts are available depending on the day of the week and time of day if you use ETC). However, since the roads in urban areas are complicated and parking spaces are scarce, we recommend reserving parking spaces at your destination in advance.

If you want to enjoy extensive sightseeing in Fukuoka by rental car, we recommend the rental car service "Uqey," which can be easily booked via an app.

With Uqey, you can make reservations on your smartphone, so there is no need for complicated procedures. With locations at airports and major cities, you won't have any trouble picking up or returning your car. We provide a comfortable car life to every corner of Fukuoka.

This article introduces recommended sightseeing spots and gourmet food. It also introduces transportation options, so be sure to check it out.

Summary

It is no exaggeration to say that Fukuoka is a treasure trove of delicious food. You can enjoy nationally famous dishes such as tonkotsu ramen and mentaiko. In addition, the food stall culture is deeply rooted in the city, so you can easily enjoy local flavors.

There are many options for transportation, including buses, subways, and trains. It's a good idea to choose the most convenient mode of transportation based on your destination and budget.

If you want to efficiently travel around the prefecture, which is dotted with tourist spots, we recommend the rental car service "Uqey." In addition to being easy to reserve on your smartphone, there are four locations in front of Hakata Station, so you can enjoy car life without getting lost.

Use Uqey and enjoy sightseeing in Fukuoka.