屋台ともちゃん (Yatai Tomochan in Tenjin, Fukuoka)

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屋台ともちゃん

Fukuoka = yatai. That’s what many people will tell you. There are hundreds of these stalls that set up each night. They serve oden, yakitori, beef offal, and more. And of course, many of them serve ramen. Tomochan was on a TV show if I remember correctly, and that put it on my radar.

Bonus (this month only). I could use the digital GOTO Travel coupon from my hotel to pay for the ramen. What a time we live in when an old man rolls out a portable restaurant and whips out an iPad to accept digital coupons.

It’s funny, but when I talk to local ramen hunters, they more or less dismiss the yatai scene when it comes to ramen. They don’t hate it, but they don’t consider any of these stands to be worthy of much praise. You’re walking around town with friends, you might have had a few to drink, and you want a quick bite of tasty food. That’s yatai to them.

Personally, I’ve never been blown away by a yatai’s bowl of ramen, but I’ve always had a great time. I wish the same could be said for brick-and-mortar ramen shops. Often you wait in line, sit in silence, crush a bowl, and leave. Yatais are a party. Booze, snacks, and friendly strangers jammed in next to you. It’s a recipe for fun.

Yakitori is on the menu as well. Most ramen yatai serve a few things. Eat some ramen, drink some beers, and savor some sticks of grilled chicken.

Great after a day of driving around the nearby beaches of Fukuoka.

If it isn’t obvious, I really love my annual trips to Kyushu.

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