10 Best Local Restaurants in Fukuoka

Ichiran Sohonten is the flagship restaurant and tourist attraction of Ichiran, a ramen franchise famous for its tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen. Its flashy exterior and Showa-era standing counter are features not found at other branches. Partitioned single-diner seating is also available upstairs.

Ichiran fans will want to order the ten-nen tonkotsu ramen (natural tonkotsu ramen), which is the dish with the signature taste of Ichiran. Ichiran’s spicy hot chilli pepper sauce is highly addictive, so watch out. This is also a great place to try Hakata's unique culture of ordering kaedama (noodle refills) using the "call" button at your table.

Hakata’s famous Yoshizuka Unagiya eel restaurant has been popular with the locals for a very long time. The kabayaki eel (dipped and broiled in a soy-based sauce) is exquisite, crispy and fragrant on the outside and tender on the inside, thanks to the sweet sauce passed down through generations since the restaurant’s establishment in 1873 as well as its unique cooking method.

Aside from the unaju (eel served over rice in a lacquered box) and unadon (bowl of rice topped with eel), there’s a rich selection of à la carte dishes to order, including popular choices such as umaki (rolled omelette with eel), uzaku (grilled eel and cucumber in vinegar dressing), and koi no arai (slices of carp washed in cold water). You could also try makunouchi, a selection of bite-sized items, or kaiseki, a full course of eel dishes.

Tempuradokoro Hirao Honten is the home of a very famous restaurant chain loved by Fukuoka locals. The 54 seats at the counter quickly fill up, with a long queue forming every day. The tempura is served hot, crispy, and freshly fried from the cooking area right in front of you. The tempura here is so delicious that the only problem is how to stop ordering.

Along with the reasonably priced tempura set meal, the ika no shiokara (salted squid) and other side-dishes provide great value. The fresh seafood from the Genkainada Sea, which can only be found in Fukuoka, is an obvious highlight.

ShinShin Tenjin Honten is the main store of a large chain of ramen restaurants in Fukuoka Prefecture, and is known as a favourite stop for a number of celebrities. Its soup is more delicate than the soups used in most Hakata tonkotsu ramen, and it goes well with the popular yakimeshi (fried rice).

Other types of Hakata noodles are also served here. Hakata Mocchan, a special dish that tastes like the famous Hakata motsunabe (miso hot pot), is another delicious option. Also check out the yaki ramen (fried ramen), which offers a taste of Hakata's food stalls.

Chikae Fukuoka is an old-fashioned ryotei (luxury) restaurant that offers a wide range of Kyushu's delicacies. Try the live fish from the huge fish tank or the beautiful kaiseki cuisine for a meal to remember. The karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe) is especially famous.

Renovated from the house of the King Colliery of Fukuoka, this restaurant has luxurious tatami rooms and private rooms. For the best value, try the popular set lunch with items such as sashimi, tempura and warabi-mochi (bracken-starch dumpling).

Daichi no Udon Hakata Eki Chikaten is a Hakata Station branch store of an udon restaurant franchise in Fukuoka. Here you can quickly get a meal before catching the bullet train. The freshly fried extra-large burdock tempura is the standout dish.

Whether as a topping for udon noodles or as a standalone dish, this type of tempura is one of the distinctive flavours of Fukuoka. The thin udon noodles and excellent dashi broth are delicious, and you can eat like a king or queen for just ¥1,000.

Hakata Motsunabe Yamanaka Akasaka Store is a well-known restaurant in its neighbourhood, operating on a strict reservation-only policy. The luxurious interior is a sight to behold, and the business district location attracts many customers who come to the restaurant for hospitality or business meetings. It’s not suitable for families, as children aren’t allowed in, but its reasonable prices and relaxed atmosphere make it a great option for grown-ups.

Besides motsunabe, another speciality here is karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe). Yamanaka also offers a variety of special à la carte dishes. This is one of Fukuoka's top restaurants and well worth a visit.

Kappō Yoshida is one of Fukuoka’s most highly renowned restaurant for fugu (blowfish). The "Fugu Kaiseki" course includes fugu sashimi, fugu karaage (fried fugu), fuguchiri (hot pot), zosui (porridge), and fin sake (sake with fin).

The restaurant is also known for its delicious squid sashimi, and tai-cha (rice with sea bream and broth poured over it) is another delicacy to try here. In addition to the kaiseki (course dinner) menu, reasonable set lunch options are also available. The tempura is particularly popular. Visit and you’ll quickly understand why this long-running restaurant is so popular.

Tan'ya HAKATA Hakata Ichibangai Store is a beef tongue restaurant located at Hakata Station. The morning set meal is especially popular. This restaurant is popular thanks to its simplicity and the cheap, quick meals you people can enjoy here before sightseeing, going to work, or while waiting for the bullet train home.

You can also take advantage of free refills of rice and coffee. Check out the healthy and delicious set menus featuring delicacies such as mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and tororo (grated yam). Just be careful not to overeat!

At Sanbikino Kurobuta, you can feast on dishes made with fresh Kurobuta pork shipped directly from Nanshu Farms in Kagoshima Prefecture. The signature item on the menu, Kurobuta Tonkatsu, is a generous portion of portion of tonkatsu with a high-quality meaty texture.

This a great place savour the taste of Kagoshima with in everything from rice to pork soup with Kurobuta pork and niku-miso (meat in soybean paste). The shabu shabu, menchikatsu (pork cutlet), and shogayaki (pork fried with ginger) are all worth trying.