オススメ度
外国語対応
About Yatai
Fukuoka is the only city in Japan where yatai culture (street food stalls) is still firmly rooted in the community.
Currently, there are about 100 yatai stalls in operation, accounting for about 40% of the total number of yatai stalls in Japan.
This is far fewer than in other countries in Southeast Asia, where there are tens of thousands of yatai stalls.
Fukuoka’s yatai are not mobile vendors, but rather each store is fixed to the same spot (on the sidewalk or on the street) where it operates every day.
The stalls are mostly assembled structures converted from bicycle drawn cars or other vehicles.
They are set up in the evening when business begins, and are dismantled and returned to nearby parking lots when business ends.
The menu used to be dominated by tonkotsu ramen, but now includes yakitori, tempura, oden, motsunabe, and other Fukuoka specialties, as well as Chinese, French, and Italian cuisine.
The atmosphere is friendly and open, and the interaction with the staff and neighboring customers is enjoyable.
Most Hakata people are warm and friendly.
The food is of a high quality, so if you have a chance, please give it a try.
At its peak in the 1970s, there were 400 yatai stalls in Fukuoka, but the number is decreasing every year.
It would be sad to see them go, as they are a wonderful part of the culture, and a great loss for Japan.
Only if Fukuoka’s yatai could be listed as an endangered species!
Recommendation
Read the below first and you will likely have a deeper appreciation for the street food in Fukuoka.
Yatai Ticket
The ticket (1,100 yen per ticket) includes one drink and one item from the restaurant’s recommended menu.
As long as you order a drink food will be served, so you don’t need to be able to speak Japanese. It is cheaper than ordering a drink and a dish separately, and it is also a “clear-cut” bill, so it is highly recommended.
This yatai ticket can be used at 13 restaurants in the Tenjin and Nakasu areas. The following is the official website, which shows what kind of stores you can use it at.
Below are the places the tickets are sold.
- Fukuoka City Tourist Information (Hakata Station + Tenjin)
- Travel Recommend: Fukuoka Airport International Arrival Gate (1F)
- Ticket Port Fukuoka Parco: Fukuoka PARCO main building 5th floor, 2-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
- Hakata Excel Hotel Tokyu: 4-6-7 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Hotel New Otani Hakata: 1-1-2 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Henna Hotel Fukuoka Hakata：5-4-19 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Things to keep in mind
Menu
The standard menu at yatai stalls includes ramen, yaki-ramen, oden, yakitori, and other cooked dishes.
- Japanese law prohibits the serving of raw food (sashimi, salad, etc.) at yatai stalls.
Ordering
Although foreign languages are not widely spoken at yatai stalls, about 60% of the stalls now offer multilingual menus, so you can point to what you want and place your order.
Closed
Most stores are open on Wednesdays and other weekdays, but it varies from store to store.
If there is a restaurant you want to visit, it is best to call before stepping out to make sure it is open after 3:00 pm.
Also, if the weather is very bad, such as during a typhoon, the store will be closed.
Open
Most stalls are open from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. the next day.
The busiest time for yatai is from 8 to 10 p.m., when locals come after work; visit outside these hours and there is no waiting time.
Resesrvations
Most of the stalls do not accept reservations, but some of them do.
If you decide on a place you want to go, it is a good idea to check in advance whether or not reservations can be made.
- Having said that,since reservations are basically made by phone call in Japanese, it may be a bit difficult for foreigners such as yourself to get a reservation.
Cost
For 2 people, ordering a drink each and two or three dishes comes out to about 2,000 yen per person.
Not much different from restaurants in town, or even a bit more expensive.
This is the biggest difference from street stalls in Southeast Asia, where prices are sgnificantly lower than in restaurants.
Payment
Be aware that most stores accept cash only and credit cards are not accepted.
Also, paying with 10,000 yen bills is also frowned upon because the store often does not have enough change and it takes a lot of time and effort to make the change, so be sure to bring more than enough 1,000-yen bills with you.
Bathrooms
The shops do not have any; however, there are public restrooms and convenience stores near most vendors, so ask the staff for the location. It is better to use the restroom beforehand.
Shop Rules
Some restaurants charge a cover charge including a small appetizer, and some require you to order one dish.
If you are concerned, check before entering .
Overcharging
It may be hard to believe, but in the Nakasu area there are sadly a few shops that will target and take advantage of tourists like yourself and overcharge you.
If you follow the following guidelines you will be safe.
- Choose shops that display their prices.
- Don’t order items not on the menu.
- Don’t stay a long time.
- Don’t go super drunk.
See It
Currently, there are about 100 yatai stalls in Fukuoka City, but they are largely concentrated in three areas: Tenjin, Nakasu, and Nagahama.
Tenjin
Tenjin is Kyushu’s busiest shopping area.
Of the approximately 100 food stalls in Hakata, about half are located in the Tenjin area.
Numerous commercial facilities line the street, and about 20 stalls are concentrated along Watanabe-dori Street, which runs north-south through Tenjin, and about 20 stalls are concentrated on the north side of Tenjin subway station and around Showa-dori Street.
The yatai in the Tenjin area are more for novices than those in the neighboring Nakasu area.
The yatai in Nakasu are close to the entertainment district, making them difficult to approach, especially for women going alone.
The yatai in the Tenjin area are located on the same streets as department stores, so they are well-lit and crowded.
Access is great.
Pricing is cheaper in the Tenjin area.
Most of the stores participating in the mentioned Yatai Ticket (see recommended section) are also located in Tenjin.
| Address | 1-4 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture; 4 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Access: (Nearest station) | 9 min. walk from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, Tenjin Station on the Fukuoka Municipal Subway Kuko Line and Tenjin Minami Station on the Fukuoka Municipal Subway Nanakuma Line. |
| Holidays | Varies from store to store |
| Hours | 6:00 pm to 3:00 am (depends on the store) |
Nakasu
Nakasu is one of the three major nightlife districts in Japan.
- The other two are Kabukicho in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district and Susukino in Sapporo.
The neon lights of the entertainment district and the sight of yatai stalls on Nakasu, surrounded by the Naka River, make for a photogenic scene that will make you think “Ah, yes. This is Fukuoka yatai.”
There are about 15 yatai stalls mainly along Naka River across Kokutai Road, with local customers on the north side and tourists on the south side. Prices are higher than in the Tenjin area.
| Address | 1-5 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
| Access (the nearest station) | Gion or Nakasu Kawabata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line |
| Holidays | Varies from store to store |
| Hours | 6:00 pm to 3:00 am (depends on the store) |
Nagahama
The Nagahama area used to be crowded with ramen stalls, but now only a few remain.
In fact, the Nagahama area is the “holy land” of ramen, where the current Hakata ramen style and system of pork bone soup, second serving of noodles, and thin noodles was born.
Lovers of ramen must not forget to make a pilgrimage here.
Drop some knowledge on your friends and to the world on social media, “THIS place is the birthplace of Tonkotsu Ramen!”
| Address | 2-3 Nagahama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Access (the nearest station) | Akasaka Station on Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line |
| Holidays | Varies from store to store |
| 時間 | 6:00 pm to 3:00 am (depends on the store) |
Must try Yatai
Kokin-chan
This is a very popular restaurant that invented “Yaki-Ramen”. The yaki-ramen here is made by coating boiled ultra-thin noodles with pork bone broth and a thick special sauce, then stir-frying them on a griddle. It is savory, sticky, and delicious, and goes great with beer or sake! Another recommended dish is the Mentaiko Tamagoyaki, which […]
[ See details ]
| Address | In front of "Hotel Monterey La Soeur Fukuoka", 2 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 min. walk from Nishitetsu F[…] |
| Tel | 090-3072-4304 |
| URL |
Yatai Mami-chan
In addition to the standard menu items such as oden and tonkotsu ramen, the restaurant offers a wide variety of a la carte dishes that can be served as snacks for alcoholic beverages. The most popular menu item is the “Mentaiko Tamago”, a tender omelette with Japanese soup stock, filled with mentaiko and green onions. […]
[ See details ]
| Address | On the side of Fukuoka Bank Head Office on Showa-dori, 2 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 3 min. walk from "Nishitetsu […] |
| Tel | 090-1921-0389 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Yatai Okamoto
A very popular food stall. The signature dish of this restaurant is Tonkotsu Ramen. The soup is rich but without any odor or off-taste, and the sharp flavor of pork bone broth goes well with the thin noodles. Toppings include a generous amount of green onions. Another popular dish is “Champon,” a spicy dish made […]
[ See details ]
| Address | In front of BiVi Fukuoka, 4 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 min. walk from Nishitetsu F[…] |
| Tel | 090-3798-7347 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Yatai Chez Rémy
This French food stall is popular with a daily lineup of customers. Run by Frenchman Rémy, you can enjoy casual yet delicious French cuisine that goes well with wine or beer. Rémy and his sociable French staff are always ready to serve you. Popular dishes include “escargot” with the aroma of fresh butter and garlic, […]
[ See details ]
| Address | In front of Tenjin Loft, 4-9 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 2-minute walk from Nishitetsu[…] |
| Tel | 092-986-2117 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
