Fukuoka
Behind a geometric lattice facade, this shop specialises in mentaijū – mentaiko (spicy cod roe, a Fukuoka delicacy), wrapped with savoury kelp and served…
Must-see restaurants in Kyūshū
Nagasaki
Patrons have been ordering the hito-kuchi gyōza (¥380 for 10) at this rustic hole-in-the-wall place since the 1970s. Also try butaniratoji (pork and…
Fukuoka
The IMS Building has prime skyline views from its 12th- and 13th-floor restaurants, including No No Budo. This busy self-serve gourmet buffet has about 80…
Kyūshū
Even tiny Ibusuki has its own ramen style. This polished shop won a prefectural ramen competition for its Kaimon-dake ramen (¥950), filled with local…
Katsuretsutei Shinshigai Honten
Kumamoto
Come hungry to this busy local favorite for tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) in filling Zen set meals (with shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup, pickles and…
Kumamoto
On a lovely courtyard behind a Swiss pastry shop on Kamitōri Arcade, this glossy restaurant has a varied menu of Chinese dumplings and noodles, but pretty…
Kyūshū
Cute roadhouse known for dangojiru (miso soup with thick-cut noodles) and takana ryōri (dishes using mustard greens), served à la carte or in hearty set…
Beppu
Local favourite Toyotsune nails the Beppu specialities: toriten (chicken tempura), Bungō-gyū (local beef), soy-marinated Ryukyu fish, plus tempura and…
Kyūshū
Yōkan (sweet bean-paste gelatin) is the speciality of this lovely corner shop. It comes in different colours and flavours (traditional red bean, apple,…
Kagoshima
Yatai-mura means 'food-stall village', and some two dozen stalls near Kagoshima-Chūō Station offer a taste of Kagoshima of old. Follow your nose to your…
Kyūshū
Tsutaya has been making gorgeous tea-ceremony sweets since 1502, as a supplier to Hirado's ruling Matsuura clan. Nowadays it reproduces those historic…
Beppu
This friendly shop has been serving simple fugu (pufferfish) since 1958. Sit on hori-kotatsu seating and sample sashimi, karaage (fried fugu) and hirezake…
Kyūshū
Just off the samurai street, Taki-An is a lovely restaurant in another traditional house where you can sit on tatami and admire the garden over hot or…
Nagasaki
Dating to 1642, this sky-high shippoku-ryōri restaurant started life as a high-class brothel. Japanese skills or a chaperone, and a love of food, will…
Kyūshū
A minute's walk left from the station, this cheery shop serves a satisfying and varied menu of local specialities like katsuo-donburi (bonito on a bowl of…
Kyūshū
There are less expensive soba shops in town, but at this classy place with a view of Kinrin-ko you can often watch the noodles being made in the window…
Kyūshū
This branch of the famed Karatsu Bāgā can be found near Karatsu Station. The menu items are the same as at the original, with the 'Special' – with cheese,…
Nagasaki
Come for the buffet, stay for the view at the new Nagasaki branch of this much-loved casual buffet chain. Dozens of savoury and dessert offerings…
Nagasaki
In the Dutch Slopes a quirky 'World Foods Restaurant' operates most weekends; each week a different chef comes to prepare inexpensive meals from their…
Kyūshū
In business since 1948, the Kimura family makes such sought-after udon noodles that this tiny eight-seat shop closes whenever it runs out. Arrive early or…
Kyūshū
Local Hirado-gyū, marvellously marbled and tender, is highly prized. This place on Hirado's main shopping street does it yakiniku style: in a private room…
Kyūshū
Overlooking the port, and owned and run by the local fishermen's collective, this take-your-shoes-off spot offers some of the finest and freshest seafood…
Kumamoto
This ramen joint is next to Yoshinoya at the northern end of the Kamitōri Arcade. The signature 'king ramen' (¥700) is garlicky, cloudy Kumamoto-style…
Kyūshū
Overlooking the harbour with views to Shimonoseki on Honshū, this microbrewery makes a half-dozen award-winning beers and serves them with yaki-curry …
Kyūshū
This lovable, cool organic cafe, in a converted storehouse from the late Edo period, serves daily-changing lunch set menus: curry, pasta etc. It's about a…
Kyūshū
Get your fill of local specialities at this delightful old wooden house across from a river: toriten (chicken tempura), fried chicken with yuzu (citron)…
Kyūshū
At this retro cafe you can sample coffees, cakes, smoothies and Aso-made ice creams while sitting on designy mid-century furniture (kagu in Japanese)…
Kyūshū
By Obi-jō, this old-school shop makes and sells a local version of Satsuma-age (fried cakes of fish paste and vegetables, here called tempura). The…
Fukuoka
If the original Tenjin Nobunaga on Tenjin Nishi-dōri is full, head to this location at the south end of the block, diagonally across from the Apple Store…
Kyūshū
If you're going to sample fugu (pufferfish), this is a renowned place to try it: with just three tables, it must be good! There are also non-fugu options,…
Kyūshū
At the base of the gorge (though, sadly, with no water views), this simple building serves nagashi-sōmen (flowing noodles) – have fun catching them with…
Kyūshū
This homely shop serves jidori (local chicken), full of flavour but tougher and cooked rarer than you may be used to. The standard is momoyaki (grilled…
Kyūshū
Operated by a local agriculture cooperative, this informal restaurant and produce market nails regional standards such as toriten (chicken tempura),…
Fukuoka
Curry rice is ubiquitous comfort food throughout Japan, and this shop does it in the style famous in nearby Mojikō: yaki-curry (baked with egg and cheese…
Fukuoka
Locally popular for its home-grown Kagoshima beef, served from behind the counter on sizzling teppan (iron hotplates). A great bargain at lunchtime. There…
Kyūshū
The walls of this gallery-cafe are lined with more than 2000 cup-and-saucer sets from hundreds of Arita-yaki potters; choose your favourite set, and staff…
Nagasaki
People have flocking to this place, behind a traditional shop front festooned with red lanterns, for chawanmushi (savoury egg custard) since 1866. The…
Kyūshū
No Kyūshū tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen here. This cute, whitewashed-wood place in a mini-shopping centre uses local jidori (chicken) for a light yet…
Nagasaki
This huge Chinese restaurant (look for the giant red pillars) near Glover Garden is credited as the creator of champon and has been in operation since…
Nagasaki
Despite the name Toruko (Turkish) rice, there's nothing much Turkish about the hearty Nagasaki signature dish of this retro kissaten (coffee shop): pork…
