3 Must-Try Dishes in Fukuoka, Kyushu: Offal Hot Pot, Mizutaki, and Hakata Ramen

▲Offal hot pot topped with a generous amount of leeks. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Reporter Huang Shiyuan / Fukuoka Report

Thanks to the recent sharp depreciation of the Japanese yen, traveling to Japan has become relatively more affordable. Beyond the popular Kanto and Kansai regions, more Taiwanese travelers are now visiting Kyushu. As the largest city in Kyushu, Fukuoka is often chosen as the first stop for a Kyushu trip, and here you absolutely must try the three local delicacies—offal hot pot, mizutaki, and Hakata ramen.

▲Beef offal. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Offal Hot Pot
Offal hot pot is made by simmering beef offal (either large or small intestine) in a broth prepared from katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) and kelp. It’s seasoned with soy sauce, miso, and a bit of chili (sprinkled on the leeks), and served with cabbage and a generous topping of leeks. While beef offal may look greasy, it actually has only a mild beef flavor and offers two distinct textures. After finishing the ingredients in the pot, the restaurant will usually add ramen for you. Even if you’re feeling quite full by then, the ramen, soaked in the rich broth, is irresistible.

Mizutaki
Mizutaki is a traditional Fukuoka-style hot pot dish, also known as chicken hot pot. It uses bone-in chicken to create a milky-white, sweet, and refreshing broth. There are four ways to enjoy mizutaki: First, eat the chicken and savor its fresh, sweet taste; second, have the chicken meatballs; third, enjoy the vegetables that have absorbed the chicken broth, which become even sweeter; and fourth, finish with a hearty ochazuke-like porridge made by adding rice to the leftover broth, creating a flavorful and comforting finale.

▲Ichiran Ramen’s head restaurant is located right in Fukuoka City. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Hakata Ramen
When it comes to Hakata district in Fukuoka City, one can’t miss Hakata ramen. Its most distinctive features are the milky-white pork bone broth and thin noodles. Along with Sapporo ramen and Kitakata ramen, it’s considered one of Japan’s top three ramens. Because the noodles are thin, it’s best to eat them quickly to avoid them getting too soft. Taiwan’s beloved Ichiran Ramen also falls under the Hakata ramen category, so if you’re a big fan of Ichiran,be sure to visit the Ichiran Ramen Head Store in Fukuoka’s Chuo Ward.。