As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband visited Japan to enjoy hanami (花見), the cherished tradition of cherry blossom viewing, with his parents, who live in Fukuoka, Japan. During his stay, he indulged in a variety of Japanese dishes and shared many memorable meals with them. Today, I’m excited to share what he ate during his trip.
1. Tonkotsu Ramen (とんこつラーメン)
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| Kyushuchikuhou Ramen Yamagoya (九州筑豊ラーメン山小屋) |
During his stay in Japan, he enjoyed ramen at several local restaurants, especially since Fukuoka Prefecture is renowned for its tonkotsu ramen. With countless ramen shops throughout the region, he had plenty of opportunities to savor this rich and flavorful dish.
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| Kyushuchikuhou Ramen Yamagoya (九州筑豊ラーメン山小屋) |
My husband and my mother-in-law visited Kyushu Chikuho Ramen Yamagoya (九州筑豊ラーメン山小屋), a ramen restaurant originally founded in Fukuoka. It is known for its signature tonkotsu ramen, featuring a rich and flavorful pork bone broth. The meal was reasonably priced, costing under 1,000 yen—about $7.
Kyushuchikuhou Ramen Yamagoya (九州筑豊ラーメン山小屋) Official Website
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| Dairyu Ichiban (大龍一番) |
My husband visited Dairyu Ichiban (大龍一番) to enjoy Kurume-style tonkotsu ramen, known for its rich and intensely flavored pork bone broth. Originating in Kurume, this ramen style is considered the foundation of Hakata ramen, offering a deeper, more concentrated broth. He ordered a set meal featuring ramen and a char siu bowl for 950 yen, along with gyoza for 450 yen. His lunch totaled 1,400 yen—equivalent to just under $10.
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| Dairyu Ichiban (大龍一番) |
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| Dairyu Ichiban (大龍一番) |
Dairyu Ichiban (大龍一番) Official Website
2. Japanese Curry (カレー)
My husband visited Curry House CoCo Ichibanya (カレーハウスCoCo壱番屋) for the first time in over a decade. CoCo Ichibanya, established in 1978, is Japan’s largest curry chain, known for its customizable Japanese-style curry rice. He ordered Chicken Curry with Spinach and Deep-Fried Squid for 1,192 yen—equivalent to about $8.
Curry House Coco Ichibanya (カレーハウスCoCo壱番屋) Official Website
3. Udon Noodle (うどん)
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| Dairiki Udon (大力うどん) |
My husband and my parents-in-law visited Dairiki Udon (大力うどん), a well-loved local udon restaurant in Miyama City, Fukuoka. Famous for its fast service, generous portions, and incredibly affordable prices, Dairiki Udon has earned a loyal following, often drawing long lines during peak hours. The restaurant serves delicious udon noodles quickly, making it a favorite among locals looking for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.
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| Dairiki Udon (大力うどん) |
He was able to visit before the price increase in April 2025. Now, meal prices have risen by 30 to 70 yen, but Dairiki Udon remains an incredibly affordable udon restaurant, offering great value for its quality and service.
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| Dairiki Udon (大力うどん) |
He ordered Ebiten Udon (えび天うどん) for 390 yen—equivalent to about $2.70. Ebiten refers to shrimp tempura, which adds a crispy texture and rich flavor to the warm udon broth.
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| Dairiki Udon (大力うどん) |
My parents-in-law ordered Nikuudon (肉うどん) for 390 yen and added Goboten (ごぼう天) as a topping for 130 yen, bringing the total to 520 yen—equivalent to about $3.50. Goboten is burdock root tempura, known for its crispy texture and earthy flavor, making it a popular addition to udon dishes.
4. Matcha Soft Serve (抹茶ソフトクリーム)
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| Yame Tourism Bussankan Tokimeki (八女観光物産館 ときめき) |
Yame Green Tea is a renowned variety produced in Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, known for its exceptional quality and rich flavor. Yame is particularly famous for its Gyokuro, a high-grade green tea cultivated using traditional shading techniques to enhance its sweetness and umami. While in Japan, my husband enjoyed Yame Matcha soft serve many times.
My husband and my mother-in-law visited Yame Tourism Bussankan Tokimeki (八女観光物産館 ときめき) and enjoyed Yame Green Tea soft serve for 350 yen—equivalent to about $2.40. This local specialty shop offers a variety of Yame’s finest products, including tea, sake, and traditional sweets, making it a great stop for those looking to experience the region’s flavors.
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| Yame Tourism Bussankan Tokimeki (八女観光物産館 ときめき) |
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| Okuyame Chanohado (奥八女 茶の葉堂) |
My mother-in-law took my husband to Okuyame Chanohado (奥八女 茶の葉堂), a specialty green tea store. Known for its high-quality Yame green tea and traditional sweets, Okuyame Chanohado has been serving locally sourced tea for decades. He enjoyed a matcha soft serve for just 300 yen—equivalent to about $2. They generously offered Yame green tea for free, adding to the experience. He told me it was the best matcha soft serve he had ever tasted.
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| Hide Burger (秀バーガー) at Michinoeki Tachibana (道の駅たちばな) |
My husband and my mother-in-law visited Hide Burger (秀バーガー) at Michinoeki Tachibana (道の駅たちばな) to enjoy Yame Matcha soft serve. Hide Burger, located within Michinoeki Tachibana, is known for its handmade burgers and locally sourced ingredients. It also offers a variety of desserts, including its popular matcha soft serve. Each serving was 400 yen—equivalent to about $2.70.
Hide Burger (秀バーガー) at Michinoeki Tachibana on Tabelog
5. Bento (弁当)
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| (Hokka Hokka Tei) ほっかほっか亭 |
My husband purchased Kaisen Tendon (海鮮天丼) for 700 yen at Hokka Hokka Tei (ほっかほっか亭), a well-known bento takeout chain with over 2,000 locations across Japan. Hokka Hokka Tei specializes in freshly made, affordable bento meals, offering a variety of dishes served over rice.
6. Teishoku (定食)
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| Ryokan Zenya (旅館 善屋) |
My husband and my mother-in-law visited Ryokan Zenya (旅館 善屋) to enjoy Hirayama Onsen (平山温泉), a natural hot spring in Kumamoto Prefecture. Hirayama Onsen is known for its silky, mineral-rich waters, which are said to enhance skin health and relaxation. Ryokan Zenya offers both overnight stays and day-use options, allowing visitors to experience its rejuvenating baths and locally inspired cuisine. After their visit, they went to Gohanya Meguminoeki (ごはん屋 恵の駅), a teishoku restaurant located just 12 minutes away by car. Gohanya Meguminoeki serves homestyle teishoku (定食), offering balanced combo meals at an affordable price. They enjoyed a teishoku meal for 700 yen—equivalent to about $4.80.
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| Gohanya Meguminoeki (ごはん屋 恵の駅) |
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| Gohanya Meguminoeki (ごはん屋 恵の駅) |
He ordered Karaage Teishoku (からあげ定食), a deep-fried chicken combo meal. This set included crispy karaage, small side dishes, miso soup, and a serving of fluffy white rice, making for a satisfying and well-balanced meal.
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| Gohanya Meguminoeki (ごはん屋 恵の駅) |
My mother-in-law ordered Aji Fry Teishoku (アジフライ定食), a deep-fried horse mackerel combo. Aji fry is known for its crispy golden coating and tender, flavorful fish, making it a popular teishoku choice in Japan. My husband mentioned that the aji fry were larger than they appeared in the photo, exceeding his expectations.
Gohanya Meguminoeki (ごはん屋 恵の駅) on Tabelog
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