What to Eat in Fukuoka

Eating My Way Through Fukuoka

If you’ve ever wandered around Fukuoka, Japan, you know the food here is something special. Whether you're a big foodie or just someone like me who enjoys trying new things, Fukuoka has a way of surprising you. The food is simple, comforting, and packed with flavor—some of the best you’ll ever have.

During my trip to Fukuoka, I got into the habit of hunting down the best places to eat—or just looking for something new to try. It could be as simple as grabbing street food or soaking in the local culture. I mean, that’s what traveling is about, right? Eating?

Let me be straight with you—if you're here for the best sightseeing spots, amusement parks, or thrill rides, this might not be the blog for you. For me, it’s all about experiences, food, and drinks. And as a bartender, you already know I’m not skipping out on the cocktails.

So, if that sounds like your kind of trip, stick around! I’ll share the dishes and drinks I fell in love with, plus a few spots that are definitely worth checking out. Now, let’s dive into Fukuoka!

Hakata Ramen: Where It All Began

Let’s start with the one thing Fukuoka is famous for—Hakata ramen. This city is the birthplace of rich, creamy tonkotsu (pork bone) broth, a flavor so good it’s made its way into ramen bowls around the world.

If you’ve read my previous blog, you’ll know that the first time I tried it, I was blown away by how flavorful it was. And as you can probably guess, in the city where tonkotsu ramen was born, there’s no shortage of ramen shops to try. Some of the most well-known ones include Ichiran and Ippudo, but trust me—there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Ramen spots I was recommended but didn’t get to try:

• Shin Shin Ramen – Light yet flavorful broth.

• Hakata Daruma – Constantly refilled broth, making the flavors stack over time.

• Ganso Akanoren Setchan Ramen – One of the oldest ramen shops with excellent deals, rich and creamy broth.

• Ganso Nagahamaya – Another long-lasting ramen shops, simple and affordable with just one type of ramen.

There are just so many ramen spots worth trying, but I won’t dive too deep into that for now. If you’re really into ramen, I might do a full guide later! For now, let’s move on to the next dish.

A Comforting Hotpot for Cold Nights: Motsunabe

Next on the list is something a bit heavier but absolutely delicious—motsunabe. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry! It’s a hotpot made with beef or pork offal, veggies, and a simple yet rich broth packed with comforting flavors. A sip of that warm, creamy broth on a cold night? Pure magic.

This is definitely a dinner-time dish, so we only had it once on this trip, but I’m already planning to come back and try more spots. We went to Motsunabe Rakutenti, one of the first places to introduce adding noodles at the end of the meal, letting them soak up all the leftover broth for a final burst of flavor.

Shin Shin

Hakata Daruma

Ganso Akanoren Setchan

Ganso Nagahamaya

Motsunabe is best enjoyed with a group, so if you can, grab some friends and make a night of it! And if you’ve got a favorite motsunabe spot, let me know—I’m always adding to my “must-try” list.

Here are a couple more places that popped up in my search or were recommended by friends:

• Motsunabe Ichifuji (Great for solo diners)

• Motsunabe Yamanaka (One of the oldest spots, serving very traditional flavors)

Motsunabe Ichifuji

Hakata Motsunabe Yamanaka

Motsunabe Rakutenti

Fukuoka’s Street Food Culture: Yatai Stalls

If you want to experience Fukuoka like a local, you’ve gotta check out the Yatai stalls. These little street food stands are a must-try, serving up everything from yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) to tempura, and plenty more. The best part? The atmosphere—it’s casual, social, and a great place to chat with locals or fellow travelers while grabbing some of the best street food around.

My go-to spot is Tenjin Yatai, but there are plenty more scattered across the city that I still need to try. Personally, I tend to skip things I can easily find elsewhere—like tonkotsu ramen—but hey, you never know, it might just hit differently at a Yatai!

One thing to keep in mind: these stalls are usually for a quick bite since seating is super limited. So, instead of sticking to one spot, think of it as Yatai-hopping! If you find something amazing, let me know—I’m always up for new recommendations.

Seafood Heaven: Fukuoka’s Best Izakayas & Seafood Bowls

I can’t wrap this up without talking about Fukuoka’s seafood—after all, the city is surrounded by water! There were two spots that came highly recommended to me.

The first one is Doigaki, an oyster izakaya. As an oyster lover, this place was a dream. You get to taste and compare different oysters, each with its own unique flavor. They even have oyster tempura! I’m sure there are other great oyster spots out there, but until I find another, this one’s staying at the top of my list.

The second spot was a bit trickier to get into because of its popularity—Maguro to Gohan Kuroda Han (The location can be a bit tricky to find on Google Maps, so I’ve linked their website here. You can check it out for the address and more details!). It took us a while to get through the line, but it was worth it. They’re famous for their Negitoro Donburi—a bowl of rice topped with fatty tuna, green onion, and a raw egg. Mix it up with some soy sauce, and it’s next-level good. While I enjoy seafood in general, my dad LOVES tuna, so this place was pretty much heaven for him.

Doigaki

Maguro to Gohan Kuroda Han

Fukuoka’s Food Scene: A Delicious Adventure

Fukuoka’s food scene is all about comfort and local flavors. Whether you're slurping up a bowl of rich tonkotsu ramen or grabbing a late-night bite at a Yatai stall, there’s something about the food here that always feels like a warm welcome. Every meal is an experience, and the best way to enjoy it is to dive in and try something new. So, if you ever find yourself in Fukuoka, don’t hold back—you might just discover a new favorite dish along the way!

Have a favorite spot in Fukuoka? Drop a comment and let me know! And if you enjoyed this guide, don’t forget to follow for more food and travel adventures. Got a recommendation for my next trip? I’d love to hear it!

While Ichiran is now worldwide, it all started in Fukuoka. Their unique booth-style setup lets solo diners enjoy ramen without distractions—just fill out an order sheet, and your ramen appears through a small window, no interaction needed.

Hakata Ippudo offers a more traditional dining experience. Some say these chains are overhyped, but honestly, ramen tastes different in Japan, so I’d say they’re worth trying.

I also got plenty of recommendations, like Shin Shin Ramen, but since I was traveling with my parents, I couldn’t eat as much as I wanted (no way I could try them all solo, right?). If you get to check them out, let me know what you think!

Since these are chain spots, just search for them on Google Maps near Hakata Station or Tenjin Station—both areas are also great for shopping.