Adding Color to Hakata Nightlife: The Yatai of the River Front Area
As night descends upon Fukuoka’s bustling downtown, throngs of bike-drawn yatai food stalls set-up shop. As the sky finally quenches the last rays of sunlight, the yatai then respond by turning on their own lights, a signal to locals and visitors alike that night has officially begun.
Yatai are a fixture of Fukuoka’s culinary scene and are popular with both tourists and natives. As a result of this organic mingling of neighborhood regulars and out-of-towners, these unassuming purveyors of delectable street food transform into rousing chambers of conversation and fun times for all. After checking for potential closures on account of inclement weather, we hope that you will come by and dine in the heart and soul of Fukuoka’s gastronomic scene.
Tonkichi
Yatai are a fixture of Fukuoka’s culinary scene and are popular with both tourists and natives. As a result of this organic mingling of neighborhood regulars and out-of-towners, these unassuming purveyors of delectable street food transform into rousing chambers of conversation and fun times for all. After checking for potential closures on account of inclement weather, we hope that you will come by and dine in the heart and soul of Fukuoka’s gastronomic scene.
Plump pieces of fatty meat come together with a thick and sweet sauce in savory matrimony for their teppan offal specialty, and more delicately and in their slow-cooked oden. Throw in a beer for good measure and you’ve just partaken of one of Fukuoka’s beloved culinary pastimes.
Tonkichi
Address: 1 Nakasu-Nakajima-machi, Nakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City
Tel: 090-1875-6948
Business hours: 18:00~24:00
Holidays: 18:00-24:00
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Yamachan
Located close to Seiryu Park, Yamachan is a yatai where laughter and lively conversation are always in abundance.
They place great pride in the quality of their ramen which features a thick broth that you will want to drink down to the last drop. Meaty morsels of beef tongue lightly grilled with naught but salt for seasoning, and a variety of skewer-grilled classics such as tender pork ribs, chewy gizzard meat, enoki mushroom wrapped in thinly sliced meat, and small sausages round out the menu.
They also serve yakiramen, so for those interested in trying this Hakata specialty please inquire!
Yamachan
Address: Seiryu Park (upper), Nakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
Tel: 090-4587-7771
Hours: 18:00~02:30
Holidays: None
Nakasu Yatai Urutora C
The two yatai we will introduce now are actually yatai that joined the existing yatai crew in 2023. First, we will introduce our readers to Urutora C, thankfully quite easy to spot due to its vivid neon sign.
This yatai specializes in kushikatsu, or deep-fried skewered items, using ingredients such as pork ribs, unzen ham, fishcake, squid, and eggplant, which are all either primarily sourced from or made in Kyushu.
With its lively atmosphere Urutora C are not only specialists in flavor, but fun as well. If kushikatsu skewers are not your thing, then we recommend other items such as the deep-fried corn and wagyu beef offal stew. Take note that during the winter season they offer oden instead of kushikatsu.
Nakasu Yatai Urutora C
Address: 1-1, Nakajima-cho, Nakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City
Hours: 18:00~01:00
Holidays: None
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Hakata Yatai TsunaTsuna
Including pre-existing yatai, the owner and operator of Hakata Yatai TsunaTsuna is the youngest proprietor of all yatai currently in operation. On the tasteful noren curtain one can find art expressing the essence of Japan’s four seasons on a colorful woodblock print.
When he was still a student the owner worked at a yatai part-time, an experience that ignited a desire to have his own. The name of the yatai, TsunaTsuna, refers to the Japanese word to connect, or join people, things, or ideas together. His desire was fundamentally to create a place where people, experiences, location, and circumstance could similarly ‘join together’ in a unique way.
Specialties here include teppanyaki of wagyu beef as well as tonpeiyaki, a kind of pork and vegetable omelet served with sauce and mayonnaise. The plump and tender offal goes together superbly with alcohol, so please consider grabbing a drink while you dine!
Hakata Yatai TsunaTsuna
Address: 1 Nakajima-cho, Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
Tel: 080-8585-7849
Hours: 16:00~01:00
Holidays: None
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