Hakata is a city in Fukuoka Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. The city is renowned for its traditional foods, which have been enjoyed by local people for centuries. In recent years, Hakata’s culinary offerings have become increasingly popular with visitors from all over the world.
Hakata-style ramen is arguably the most famous dish associated with the city. This type of ramen consists of a deeply flavorful pork bone broth, thin noodles and a variety of toppings such as pork slices, boiled egg and scallion. The dish has become so popular that many restaurants around Japan serve their own version.
Another iconic Hakata dish is mentaiko, which are marinated roe from pollack or codfish. The marinade includes ingredients like soy sauce, mirin and sake, giving the mentaiko a salty-sweet flavor. It can be eaten as is or used as an ingredient in dishes such as spaghetti and omelette.
Hakata is also known for its unique take on karaage (fried chicken). This version uses larger pieces of chicken and is served with a thick sauce made from soy sauce, sugar and spices. The result is an incredibly flavorful chicken dish that has gained popularity not only in Japan but also abroad.
Mizutaki, or chicken hotpot, is another delicacy hailing from Hakata. The soup base for this dish consists of clear chicken broth flavored with ingredients like Japanese leek, ginger and mushrooms. Chicken meat and vegetables are added to the broth before being cooked at the table by diners.
No discussion about Hakata cuisine would be complete without mentioning tonkotsu ramen. This type of ramen uses a creamy pork bone broth that has been boiled for hours to extract all its flavor. It’s usually served with thin noodles and topped with ingredients like chashu (roast pork) and scallions.
From ramen to mentaiko to fried chicken to mizutaki hotpot – these are just some of the dishes that make Hakata famous around the world for its delicious food. Whether you’re visiting or living in Hakata, it’s worth taking some time to explore its unique culinary scene.
In conclusion, Hakata is most famous for its distinctive food offerings such as ramen, mentaiko, karaage fried chicken and mizutaki hotpot.