Fukuoka Prefecture is also known for its gastronomic variety and quality. At the top of the list of famous dishes is “Hakata Ramen”. The characteristics that give Hakata Ramen its special taste are the broth made from pork meat and bones and the firm texture of the noodles, with a very strong smell. It is recommended to eat the noodles before they become too soft. In addition to the basic toppings of roast pork slice and chopped scallions, you can choose additional toppings like ginger, sesame, and pepper. In many restaurants, after eating all the noodles, you can order a new portion of just the noodles as if it were a refill to eat with the remaining delicious soup. After discovering the taste of Hakata Ramen, I think I'm going to miss it when I return to Brazil and I won't see any fun in instant noodle type ramen .
Hakata Ramen – typical Fukuoka dish.
Another typical Fukuoka food is Mentaiko. Mentaiko is fish roe cooked in pepper sauce. It is quite popular and has a characteristic spicy taste and granular texture. People in Fukuoka like to enjoy it with hot rice, the staple food of Japan. It is also used in preparing pasta dishes and can be found in the form of Mentaiko snacks . Mentaiko originated in Korean cuisine and was introduced to Japan after World War II and was adapted to Japanese tastes in Fukuoka in 1950. The seasoning and flavor are slightly different in Korea and a common variety is spicy Mentaiko ( karashi mentaiko ). Mentaiko is made in a variety of flavors and colors and is available in airports, stores and train stations.
The most famous sweet in Fukuoka is Hakata Torimon, which has won the Monde Selection gold medal for consecutive years since 2001. Monde Selection is considered the “Oscar” of edible products, in which thousands of products from manufacturers around the world are enjoyed annually whole, being held in Brussels, Belgium, since 1961. Hakata Torimon is a cupcake filled with cream and butter. It is a mix of traditional Japanese and Western flavors. The texture of the outside and the soft filling make a delicious combination. This sweet is referred to as Fukuoka's omiyage 2 .
Also famous is the Chidori Manju, which is another sweet baked dumpling with a characteristic marking of a bird called a plover . It was known by people for a long time as one of the best sweets in Fukuoka. The moist outside and the sophisticated sweetness of the white bean filling also result in a great balance of flavor.
Motsunabe is a hot pot containing pork or beef offal ( motsu ) cooked in a soup with cabbage and chives. The dish is prepared in front of the customer, from start to finish. People often ask to add rice or noodles to the leftover soup, which can be enjoyed on its own as it is very tasty. It is known as a nutritious and low-calorie dish and perhaps for that reason, it is very popular among women.
Motsunabe.
In addition to the dishes that can be found year-round, there are seasonal ones. Oden, for example, is a Japanese dish most commonly consumed in winter, which consists of a Japanese stew that makes use of popular ingredients such as konnyaku (a type of gelatin made from potatoes), daikon (Japanese turnip), tofu (soy cheese) , whole boiled eggs and cooked fish paste called chikuwa immersed in a broth made from soy sauce ( shoyu ) and fish. Ingredients may vary according to custom and local availability.
Oden.
Food sales at open-air stalls are also characteristic of Fukuoka. They are called Yatai and are known as a symbol of the city. There are more than 150 Yatai throughout the city, with a greater concentration in the central region and districts of Tenjin.
Typical dishes that can be enjoyed at Yatai are Oden, Hakata Ramen (both mentioned above), grilled chicken skewers ( yakitori ) and gyozas (pasties of Chinese origin). Various alcoholic beverages are also available and make the Yatai places to come into contact with locals, although some of the patrons are Japanese tourists from other parts of Japan. The Yatai typically begin operating around 6 p.m., except when the weather it is very bad. Many stalls only open on weekends and family work is common. However, you can't expect as much from the quality of service. Closing times vary from stand to stand and some of them are open until mid-morning.
Japanese barbecue is very different from Brazilian barbecue. With the help of tongs and chopsticks 3, very thinly sliced meats, sausages and chicken wings are prepared. There is no comparison, much less meat is eaten than at Brazilian barbecues. While the meats are served, whole fish are also prepared with very light seasoning, wrapped in aluminum foil. 4 traditional onigiris accompany the barbecue. Then it's time for vegetables: cabbage, onions, pumpkin, peppers. To our surprise, at the end, yakisoba noodles are added to the remaining vegetables. Beer is also one of the drinks served, as in Brazilian barbecue.
Of course, other provinces in Japan also have delicious dishes and sweets, which I've already tried, but I preferred to reveal this month what's great about Fukuoka!
Notes:
1. Ramen ( ramen ) is a Japanese food of Chinese origin made up of long strands of dough with herbs and vegetables seasoned with pork or fish.
2. Omiyage means souvenir . In Japan, it is common to buy omiyages to be shared with work colleagues and family. Omiyage sales have become big business in Japan's tourist attractions. They are also sold at train stations and airports, so that tourists can buy last-minute omiyage before returning home.
3. Hashi are the chopsticks in Japanese cuisine.
4. Onigiri is a Japanese rice dumpling usually in the shape of a triangle or oval wrapped in a sheet of nori .
© 2009 Silvia Lumy Akioka
