Now Reports

Welcome to Fukuoka Now! Since 1998 our team of local experts have been introducing the best of Fukuoka to the world. Here are our This Month picks for the month of March, featuring Cafe Brasileiro, Fukuoka’s oldest coffee shop; Todoroki Saketen, a hip new standing bar; and Hakata Ratanmen Marutan, who have created a brand new genre of noodles called ratanmen. Enjoy, and let us know what you think!

Cafe Brasileiro

Originally opened in 1934 by the state of São Paulo to promote Brazilian coffee, Brasileiro is the oldest cafe in Fukuoka. “Our number one priority is coffee,” says second generation owner Yoshitada Nakamura. The coffee, select blends of high quality beans, is roasted daily. Since its founding, the cafe has offered homemade Western dishes, including standards like minced cutlet (¥950) and omelet rice (¥930) and new additions like the Italian sandwich set (¥800). Preserving tradition while trying new things is what keeps customers coming year after year.

Cafe Brasileiro
• 1-20 Tenyamachi, Hakata-ku
• 10:00~20:30 (Sat.: ~19:00)
• Closed: Sun. & Hol.
• Tel.: 092-271-0021
• Full report with more pictures, here.

Todoroki Saketen Yakuin Stand

Last March, the boutique liquor shop Todoroki Saketen added a kakuuchi (standing bar) area called Yakuin Stand. The kakuuchi area is directly inside the shop, while the merchandise—100 varieties of rare sake, natural wine, craft beer and more, is in the back. Manager Ikumasa Ichiki says the shop’s focus is on showing customers the producers behind the drink. The kakuuchi offers 15~20 kinds of seasonal sake in smaller 45ml or 90ml glasses so you can sample as many as you like. You can also drink wine, beer and shochu, and the shop holds two or three events a month.

Todoroki Saketen Yakuin Stand
• 3-7-30 Yakuin, Chuo-ku
• Liquor shop: 12:00~21:00 / Standing bar: 16:00~21:00
• Closed: Sun., Hol., last Mon. of every month
• Tel.: 092-753-8311
• Full report with more pictures, here.

Hakata Ratanmen Marutan

Here, in the noodle mecca of Fukuoka, Marutan has created a brand new genre called ratanmen – an original combination of Hakata ramen and tantanmen. The first thing you notice is the aroma and flavor of sesame. Every morning, the chefs make sesame paste from fresh ground sesame seeds and vegetable oil. This is then mixed into a soup made from fragrant vegetables which pairs well with the thin Hakata-style noodles. Since the broth contains no pork bones, it does not have the trademark odor that some people dislike. The minced pork topping is stir fried in homemade ramen oil, red miso and ginger, and provides just the right amount of spice to the dish. If you prefer more spice, you can order a spicy ratanmen from the get-go or request spicy toppings such as Red Dragon sauce and spicy garlic. Since one bowl only costs ¥500, many patrons enjoy trying the different side dishes. Marutan is open until 04:00, so you can stop by anytime, day or night.

Hakata Ratanmen Marutan
• Address: 5-24-37 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku
• Open: 11:00~04:00 (L.O.: 03:30)
• Closed: Never
• Tel.: 092-715-5157
• Full report, with more pictures, here.