The large island of Kyushu located in the south of Japan is also a popular area among travelers from other areas of Asia.
Kyushu’s seven prefectures are Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima.
This article introduces some local gourmet specialties for each prefecture of Kyushu that is also well known among Japanese people for having many delicious foods.
First, let’s look at Fukuoka Prefecture in the heart of Kyushu.
Udon (thick white noodles made from wheat flour) is perhaps the most popular food among local people, although ramen, motsu nabe (organ meat hotpot), and mentaiko (seasoned cod roe) are also popular.
Fukuoka’s soul food is udon that consists of soft noodles in a broth made from kelp and dried bonito flakes.
One of the most common topping on udon is goboten (tenpura made from burdock root).
Next is Saga Prefecture.
Squid is famous in Saga Prefecture, and one famous local specialty is ika shumai (a squid steamed dumpling) made of this squid.
They are made of minced squid full of flavor, wrapped by finely cut wonton strips, and then steamed.
They taste delicious when eaten with vinegar and soy sauce.
Nagasaki Prefecture was an active area for trade between China and the West in the past.
There are several local specialties that reflect this history.
One of the most important ones is Castella, which means sponge cake.
This sweet is said to be an adaptation of sweets brought in trade with the Netherlands.
These sponge cakes full of eggs are sweets that go well with tea or coffee.
A famous local specialty for Kumamoto Prefecture where Mount Aso is located is basashi, which is raw horse meat.
It is said that Kiyomasa Kato, a feudal warlord in the age of provincial wars, ate it during a war in the past, and that it spread from that point.
It is also rich in nutrients and eaten as a health supplement.
There are several horse meat restaurants in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Oita Prefecture that is famous for hot springs is said to be the prefecture in Japan with the highest level of chicken consumption.
Toriten is the local specialty.
It consists of chicken coated in a batter made of eggs and flour that is fried in oil, and it is eaten after dipping in condiments such as ponzu (a citrus juice-based sauce).
Other local specialties include fried chicken that use flour or starch as a batter.
A famous local specialty from Miyazaki Prefecture is chicken nanban, which is also famous throughout Japan.
This hearty dish consists of chicken battered in flour and eggs and then fried that is topped with a tarter sauce including hard boiled eggs, vegetables, and mayonnaise.
A famous local specialty for Kumamoto Prefecture where Mount Aso is located is basashi, which is raw horse meat.
It is said that Kiyomasa Kato, a feudal warlord in the age of provincial wars, ate it during a war in the past, and that it spread from that point.
It is also rich in nutrients and eaten as a health supplement.
There are several horse meat restaurants in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Oita Prefecture that is famous for hot springs is said to be the prefecture in Japan with the highest level of chicken consumption.
Toriten is the local specialty.
It consists of chicken coated in a batter made of eggs and flour that is fried in oil, and it is eaten after dipping in condiments such as ponzu (a citrus juice-based sauce).
Other local specialties include fried chicken that use flour or starch as a batter.
A famous local specialty from Miyazaki Prefecture is chicken nanban, which is also famous throughout Japan.
This hearty dish consists of chicken battered in flour and eggs and then fried that is topped with a tarter sauce including hard boiled eggs, vegetables, and mayonnaise.
While you can have chicken nanban anywhere in Japan, the original chicken nanban from Miyazaki is of course somewhat unique.
Satsuma-age is one of the specialties of Kagoshima Prefecture.
It is fried minced fish.
While it is a simple dish, popular variations include satsuma-age with cheese or with vegetables such as lotus root, sweet potato, or burdock root.
Because it is a light finger food, it is also a perfect snack to take with you on a walk.
We hope that you are able to try the various local specialties from each prefecture if you ever visit Kyushu.
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