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Minoshima Market Street
Minoshima was once a bustling shopping area known as the Kitchen of Hakata. Today, over 50 mostly family-run shops with the nostalgic look of the Showa era remain (1920s to ‘80s). Made on the spot, you can’t find tofu any fresher than Ide Tofu’s, and a bottle of his healthy, refreshing soy milk is ¥130. Nearby, Tempura Egami Shokuhin offers still-sizzling tempura; their popular potato croquettes are just ¥43 each! Take a pleasant hour-long stroll, or, if you have more time, soak in the atmosphere with a stay at Costel Minoshima: a friendly, chic hostel with a cafe and bar. More details and photos here!
Minoshima Market Street
1-17-15 Minoshima, Hakata-ku
Opening hours vary
Pedestrians only 11:00~18:00
Umenoma
With elegant high ceilings and an Asian feel, Umenoma serves Fukuoka’s famous Yame green tea and a selection of original sweets. Try the Yame gyokuro, ranked best in Japan for 12 years running (¥700), or choose from three flavors of matcha. Either one goes great with the anko-dama, a red bean paste ball wrapped in paper-thin kanten (chewy, vegan-friendly jelly) (¥350). Another popular dessert is the anmitsu (¥800), a bowl jam-packed with fruits, kanten, mochi dumplings, anko and ice cream. Umenoma also offers seasonal delights, such as kakigori (shaved ice), and other unique treats.
Umenoma
3-1-16 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku
11:00~19:00
Closed: irregular
092-726-6119
http://umeyamateppei.com/muscat2c/
Imatomi
Soba, or buckwheat noodles, are light but filling, and there are many places where you can enjoy them— from standing counter bars, to udon shops, to refined specialty shops. This month we are pleased to introduce Imatomi—an elegant but welcoming soba restaurant run by a dedicated owner, Imatomi. Every morning, Imatomi grinds buckwheat delivered fresh from Kumamoto and makes his noodles by hand. Customers can choose from two main types of soba: seiro, cold noodles served on bamboo screens, and kakesoba, soba in hot soup. During the lunch rush, a single bowl of soba would suffice, but you may also want to try one of the trademark side-dishes, such as duck or stewed herring. In the evening, why not enjoy a tipple of sake while you wait for your meal? Not sure what to order? Try the soba set (¥1,900) that comes with three or four appetizers and a double shot (90ml) of sake (which can be substituted with a dessert).
Imatomi
1-22-9 Takasago, Chuo-ku
11:30~14:00, 18:00~19:45 (L.I.)
Closed: Sun. and Hol.
Reservations: recommended
092-526-4504
http://www.sobagui-imatomi.jp/
Menu: Seiro ¥840 (L size: +¥350; refill: ¥650), kakesoba ¥840, shrimp tempura soba ¥1,600, kamo-yaki ¥1,400, tempura plate ¥1,600, whole fried conger eel ¥1,300, stewed herring ¥900, rolled omelet ¥850, beer (Heartland M. bottle) ¥700, sake (100ml) ¥500~600
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn201, Sep. 2015)
