When Japanese people think about Fukuoka, Many people come up with Yatai, food stalls appear during night time. Those vendors are considered as one of the city’s best-known symbol and there are over 150 yatai appears across the city at night. Most famous district is Nakasu, an Island located in the middle of the city. If you want to blend into the locals, yatai is the place to enjoy meals and have a close communication with locals. Common street dishes we can find at those yatai are yakitori, oden and Hakata tonkotsu ramen. Alcoholic drinks are also available in each yatai.

Yatai is usually open from around 6pm to around 2am and most of the yatai closes once a week though the day varies depending on each yatai. If you are not familiar to Fukuoka, you might have hard time to find which one is good and loved by locals. If you are visiting Fukuoka sometime soon, here is 6 food stalls to cherish your night there. 

1. やまちゃん, Yamachan in Nakasu


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The most popular menu at Yamachan is Nagahama Tonkotsu Ramen. One of the most outstanding ramen in yatai is made with thin string noodles with thick tonkotsu broth.  



You should also try their oden and yakitori while you wait for the ramen. Clear fish broth of oden will warm up your body and each items go perfect with cold beer.

2. 司, Tsukasa in Nakasu


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If you want to try something different, go Tsukasa in the Nakasu district. Not like other yatais that serve common menu like ramen and yakitori, they serve tempura and sashimi as well.  Their significant item on their menu is, Karashi-mentaiko no Tempura, spicy cod-roe tempura. They cook it with medium rare with crispy tempura batter outside. If you order this, you cannot stop yourself having with cold shochu! They usually have long line so go there at six when they open.

3. ともちゃん, Tomochan in Nagahama


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Nagahama is famous for their ramen. Nagahama ramen is known as silky tonkotsu broth with think noodles. Owner of Tomochan has been in the yatai business for 20 years and he is the master of yatai in the Nagahama district. They serves the traditional Nagahama style ramen although you should try other stuff as well. If you go there, you must try “Gyu-sagari” grilled beef with their signature spice.

4. 小金ちゃん, Kokinchan in Tenjin


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Kokinchan in Tenjin is famous for yaki-ramen, pan fried ramen. There are many places to serve yaki-ramen all over Japan now though Kokinchan is the birthplace for yaki-ramen. Pan fry thin noodles with vegetables and add tonkotsu soup as a seasoning source,they are like yakisoba though have more deep and thick taste. They also have oden and yakitori.

5. おかもと, Okamoto in Watanabedori


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Okamoto serves tasty and filly ramen. The perfect harmony of umami taste of tonkotsu broth that goes fantastic with thin noodles will bring you to the universe. Also the best part of Okamoto, you can take out their ramen. Many people are in love with their “wagyu sagari steak.” Some people go there only to have this steak. This goes well with ice cold beer.

6. あほたれーの, Ahotaleeno in Tenjin


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Ahotaleeno is a vendor in Tenjin with unique name. Ahotaleeno means fool with Italian-ish sound. Unlike other yatais. hey serve unique menu that infused mexican taste. With typical yatai menu like ramen and yakitori, you can also get taco and tortilla.