Fukuoka is located in southern Japan, not as bustling as Tokyo at night, nor is it tinged with time like the ancient capital with many temples and pagodas, Kyoto.

As a long-standing street food culture in Japan, yatai still attracts both residents and tourists today.

What is Yatai?

Yatai is the Japanese way of calling street food carts. This street food culture has been widely popular since the Meiji period (mid-1800s).

Visitors will see yatai lined up on the sidewalk every time dusk falls.

Yatai buses only operate from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. the next morning. On bad weather days or Sundays, some shops may be closed.

Street food stalls only open at midnight in Japan

Tourists experience yatai in Fukuoka.

What to eat at yatai?

The dishes at yatai are very diverse, from yakitori grilled chicken skewers, oden vegetable hotpot, gyoza fried dumplings, udon noodles, ramen, tempura, salted fish marinated with mentaiko chili, takoyaki octopus cakes… Special

Today’s yatai attract not only locals but also foreign tourists, so many places have bilingual menus.

Where to find yatai?

More than 100 yatai vehicles in Fukuoka are mainly concentrated in two main areas: Nakasu Island and Tenjin District.

Tenjin is a commercial district in the west of Nakasu. Just walk along Showa-dori street towards Tenjin building and Tenjin station and turn left at Kego park and diners will see dozens of traditional sidewalk restaurants.

In addition to these two yatai crowded spots, some restaurants that are also popular with diners are Chez Remy, Telas&mico, Jonetsu in front of Loft supermarket, behind Canal City Hakata shopping center, outside Fukuoka fish market…

A row of modern yatai.