Hakata Gion Tetsunabe | Review by 楊雅雯

When you come to Fukuoka, besides tonkotsu ramen, you definitely can’t miss the local soul food—udon. Of all the udon restaurants I’ve tried, Makino Udon is definitely my favorite. I can’t stop thinking about it every time I visit Fukuoka!

The udon here is known for its thick noodles, with a firm texture and distinctive chewiness. Paired with a light, savory-sweet broth made from kombu and bonito, it’s simple but never gets old. Every bite is full of happiness.

The most interesting thing is that the noodles soak up a lot of broth, so as you eat, there’s less and less of it. The restaurant thoughtfully provides extra broth, so you can add as much as you like. Top it with plenty of chopped green onions, and the whole bowl tastes even better!

The restaurant is also near Hakata Bus Terminal, so whether you’re planning a day around Fukuoka or want a quick meal before catching a bus, it’s very convenient.

Some foods are just like this—they don’t need fancy presentation or complicated seasoning, but you fall in love after one bite and even miss the flavor after returning home!

Hakata Ikkousha Main Store is known for its signature “foamy tonkotsu broth.” When you arrive, first order from the ticket machine at the entrance, then take a seat and enjoy your meal. The restaurant is really popular and filled up in no time. The air was also filled with the rich aroma of pork bones, something tonkotsu ramen lovers will definitely appreciate!

It looked appetizing as soon as it arrived! The surface of the broth was covered in fine, creamy foam, paired with an eye-catching soft-boiled egg. Just looking at it made me eager to dig in. With the first sip, the rich, full-bodied tonkotsu broth was truly appealing. Although it had a noticeable pork-bone smell, it wasn’t as hard to handle as I had imagined. Instead, it became smoother and easier to drink with every sip, making it hard to stop.

However, the broth was slightly too salty for me. Halfway through, you can add the spicy pickled mustard greens and shredded ginger provided by the restaurant. They add different layers of flavor and give the bowl more variety.

Overall, this was a bowl of Hakata tonkotsu ramen with a rich broth and distinctive character! Although the flavor was on the heavy side and a little too salty, it suited my taste, and I personally liked it quite a bit.

When visiting Fukuoka, you absolutely can’t miss Hakata’s traditional hot pot dish, mizutaki! This time, I visited Tori Den Hakata Main Store, a well-known mizutaki restaurant famous for its flavorful chicken and rich chicken broth. The overall dining experience was truly excellent!

The broth was rich, and the chicken was tender but still had a nice texture! The broth concentrated all the essence of the chicken, giving it a savory, full-bodied flavor that became even more enjoyable with every sip. The chicken also had a great texture. It wasn’t stewed until overly soft, so you could still taste the chicken’s natural flavor and satisfying firmness. It was really delicious!

Besides the delicious food, the service was also very attentive, making the whole dining experience even more enjoyable. The only minor downside was that the chicken broth rice porridge served at the end was a little salty for me, but that didn’t affect my positive opinion of the restaurant at all!

I sincerely recommend this place to anyone visiting Fukuoka! If you like chicken soup dishes, be sure to add it to your food itinerary. Mizutaki isn’t just about eating chicken—it’s also about savoring the delicious broth concentrated with the essence of chicken. I definitely recommend making a reservation early! It’s safer to reserve ahead at a popular restaurant so you don’t arrive only to find that you can’t get a table.