FUKUOKA - Yatai are traditional food stalls or mobile street vendors that can be found in various cities throughout Japan. These compact and portable stalls are typically set up in the evening and offer a wide range of street foods, snacks, and beverages.
Yatai are illuminated by colorful lanterns, serving up iconic dishes like tonkotsu ramen, yakitori, and takoyaki. What makes yatai special is the food and communal experience; sharing close quarters with other diners fosters conversation and connection, making it a quintessential part of Hakata culture.
Today’s food adventure takes Shizuka to Hakata City in Fukuoka, where yatai culture reigns supreme and transforms the city streets into a culinary wonderland. After diving into the history of yatai in Japan, Shizuka meets up with Bruce, a Fukuoka-based guide and food expert.
Their first stop is Barakamon, a popular yatai serving Hakata street foods, where our host and special guest feast on flying fish and pork bone broth ramen plus fried ramen. Their second stop is Kagoshima Yocky, a yatai serving Kagoshima-style street food, where they order Kagoshima pork fried ramen and an orange whisky and soda. Their third and final stop is Yatai Takachan, a family-run yatai serving authentic Hakata street foods. To round off their evening, Shizuka and Bruce order yamaimo steak and a spicy cod roe omelet.
