5 Best Delicious Souvenirs from Fukuoka - New Year's Japan Travel Day 7

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

5 Best Delicious Souvenirs from Fukuoka - New Year's Japan Travel Day 7

        My husband and I traveled Japan during New Year's holidays. As I mentioned in my previous entry, after we purchased Starbucks You Are Here Collection Japan mug at Starbucks located nearby Fukuoka Airport, we headed toward his parents' home. We took the highway and stopped by the highway service area, the highway rest area. (By the way, Japanese highway is not free, but the road is clean and always well maintained. )

       Japanese highway service areas are not only places to stop or rest, but they also have souvenir stores and food courts, so you can enjoy delicious local foods there. Moreover, some of them have great restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, laundromats, shower rooms, hot springs and accommodation facilities! When you drive long distance, they are very helpful. :)

   When I was 17, I actually worked at a souvenir store of a highway service area in Fukuoka for weeks during a summer vacation. ;) Today, I'm going to share five best delicious souvenirs of Fukuoka prefecture with you. When you visit Fukuoka, try these ones. You can also find these at souvenir stores in Fukuoka Airport.

No.1 Hakata Torimon by Meigetsudo (明月堂博多通りもん)

Hakata Torimon

Hakata Torimon (博多通りもん) is always very popular. It has gotten the gold award of Monde Selection 18 years in a row. Indeed, it sold very well when I worked at a souvenir store in Fukuoka.

Hakata Torimon

Hakata Torimon is manju (饅頭), a traditional Japanese confection, with a filling of delicious white bean paste. Even if you don't like traditional Japanese manju, I think that you will like it. I think most people love it regardless of age and race. :) When I first ate it, I was very surprised at how delicious it was! I hope you will try it!

Hakata Torimon

No. 2 Hiyoko by Yoshinodo (吉野堂ひよ子)

Hiyoko

Hiyoko (ひよ子) is a very famous manju of Fukuoka. It was first released in Fukuoka in 1912. You can also find Hiyoko in Tokyo now.

Hiyoko

Hiyoko (ひよこ) means a chick in Japanese. It is shaped like an adorable baby chicken. It has white kidney bean paste in it. It's so cute and delicious. ;)

Hiyoko

No. 3 Menbei by Fukutaro (福太郎めんべい)

Menbei

Menbei (めんべい) is the best selling senbei, Japanese crackers, of Fukutaro (福太郎). They sell 30 billions yen of Menbei a year! There are 20 kinds of Menbei you can choose from.

Menbei

Fukutaro (福太郎) is one of the most famous manufacture companies of spicy pollack roe, karashi mentaiko (辛子明太子). I also love their high quality fresh karashi mentaiko. Menbei is made from their karashi mentaiko, squid, octopus and so on. Menbei is a little spicy, crunchy and delicious. :)

Menbei

No. 4 Hakata Burabura by Saemon (左衛門博多ぶらぶら)

Hakata Burabura

Hakata Burabura (博多ぶらぶら) is a famous mochi dessert of Fukuoka. When I was a child, I watched this unforgettable Hakata Burabura's TV commercial. If you have never lived in Fukuoka, you probably don't know this TV commercial though. I cannot forget its catchy song and funny characters. xD

Hakata Burabura

Hakata Burabura is a traditional mochi dessert of Fukuoka. The mochi is coated with a plenty of red bean paste. If you love mochi dessert, you should try it. My husband also loves it very much.

Hakata Burabura

No. 5 Yame Green Tea Gyokuro (八女茶玉露)

Yame Green Tea Gyokuro

Yame (八女) is one of the cities of Fukuoka prefecture and is known for its hillside green-tea plantations. Yame Green Tea, Yamecha (八女茶), is a type of green tea produced in Yame city and the surrounding areas. Gyokuro (玉露) is the most expensive green tea.

■Gyokuro (玉露) is shaded green tea and is the most expensive. It's perfect for a special occasion.
■Sencha (せん茶, 煎茶) is more affordable green tea. It's perfect for everyday drink.

When I lived in Fukuoka, I used to drink Yame green tea every day. My families drink Yame green tea instead of clear water. (When I lived in Fukuoka, drinking just clear water feels very cheap somehow.) My mother served green tea with every meal, so I had Yame green tea more than four times a day. After moving out from Fukuoka, I finally knew that Yame green tea was the high quality green tea brand. Yame green tea has natural umami flavor. You can also find Yame green tea outside Fukuoka. If you want to have the best green tea, choose gyokuro (玉露). (Sencha is also good, but gyokuro has superior taste. )

Yame Green Tea Farm

Some More Products You Should Check at Souvenir Stores in Fukuoka Are...

Hakata Potato by Nikakudo (二鶴堂博多ぽてと)

Hakata Potato

If you love roasted sweet potatoes, you should try it. I love Japanese confections made of Japanese sweet potatoes.

Hakata Potato

Ogi Yokan (Traditional Japanese Sweets of Saga Prefecture)

Ogi Yokan

Ogi Yokan (小城羊羹) was also pretty popular when I worked at a souvenir store. As I mentioned in my previous entry, Ogi Yokan, Traditional Japanese Sweets in Saga Prefecture, yokan (羊羹) is a thick, jellied dessert made of red bean paste, sugar and etc. Ogi (小城) is the most famous city for traditional yokan manufacture in Japan. Outside of traditional Ogi Yokan is dry and hard, and inside of it is moist and soft. :)