11-Jan-2023
I've mentioned ramen a couple of times, but I haven't yet talked about the distinctiveness of the local version. It's known as tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen because the broth is made by boiling these bones for several hours; and it originated here in Fukuoka. (The picture at the top shows the characteristic cloudy-pale pork bone broth.)
The Canal City mall has a whole enclave dedicated to this delicacy. It's called the Ramen Stadium, and we had lunch there one day (gamely working out the ordering machine at the entrance, while trying not to be pressured by the queue building up behind us).
The Ramen Stadium, just before lunch-time
A few minutes later, and people are starting to queue
Aside from the ramen, Canal City has a cool decor
Here, by way of contrast, is the soy-based ramen that I had in Yanagawa
Of course, you also need to do udon while in Japan:
Great value udon noodles from Fresh Soba Udon West
Whenever we come to Japan we look for natto (fermented soya beans). Up to now we've had it served to us in diners, but this time we did a build-your-own:
This is how it comes, as sold in Lawson
And this is what we did with it: Mix the natto with the supplied condiments (soy sauce and Japanese mustard), and serve it on top of salad and eggs-and-onions
Fukuoka is a great cafe place. Digital nomads would be very happy here. In addition to the ones already featured, PPP deserves a mention in dispatches:
PPP Cafe (excellent choc-and-banana loaf)
It was a friend from the US who told us about karaage chicken:
Here's the stuff, available from good old Lawson
Cute pack
And finally, on cleaning day you need something quick:
Instant noodles have really moved on... These were pretty good...