While Tokyo often takes the spotlight as Japan’s bustling metropolis, the sixth-largest city in the country, Fukuoka, boasts a remarkable claim to fame – it plays host to more open-air food stalls than the rest of Japan combined.
These enchanting food stalls, known as “yatais,” form an integral part of Fukuoka’s culinary landscape, endowing the city with a unique gastronomic charm.
Picture them as the culinary Cinderellas of the night.
Yatais are allocated specific and highly sought-after locations along major pedestrian routes, enhancing the vibrancy of the city’s culinary scene. There is, however, a fascinating twist – they are only permitted to operate during the nighttime hours and must be entirely dismantled or removed before the dawn chorus of morning commuters takes over the sidewalks. The sole hint of a forthcoming yatai’s presence is the presence of ground-level water spigots.
As night descends upon the city, Fukuoka undergoes a magical transformation. Carts and vans materialize seemingly out of thin air, offering an enticing array of culinary delights. From gyoza (miniature, bite-sized dumplings, a Fukuoka specialty) to steaming bowls of ramen, succulent meat skewers, and the local favorite, a chicken hotpot stew named “oden,” these yatais cater to a broad spectrum of tastes. Accompanied by ice-cold Asahi or Sapporo beers, Fukuoka’s yatais create an enchanting nocturnal food scene that sets the city apart.
