A Day and a bit in Fukuoka City

by Sonali Dutta

Passing between Okayama and Nagasaki last year, I decided to make a trip of my stopover in Fukuoka city. The capital of the prefecture (state) of the same name, this is the largest city on the island of Kyushu (and the sixth most populated in Japan). Fukuoka also some of Japan’s first international exposure through trade with other countries, being one of the closest cities to the Asian mainland. Modern Fukuoka is a merge of castle town Fukuoka and port city Hakata, although the latter remains a distinct part of the area.  

Although I’d only spend a day and a half there, I made the most of the city’s highlights in my brief time and stayed mostly in the Hakata district. What did I get up to in my whirlwind tour of Fukuoka?   

Fukuoka City Museum

Bone Daddies restaurant review

by Sonali Dutta

A few years ago it seems like there was a ramen explosion in London. Ramen is essentially a noodle and stock soup with various toppings, but that is underselling it. From its native Japan, ramen has a cult following among those who crave a warm and filling meal. Chains popped up seemingly overnight in London offering creative interpretations of noodle soups. Bone Daddies is well known around London for Asian-fusion bowls of noodles in broth. With a new opening in Victoria, I had to try their latest venue. The restaurant itself is a short walk from Victoria station inside the Nova complex.

 

Top Ten Japanese Eats

by Sonali Dutta

There’s so much more to Japanese cuisine than sushi. Of course I did eat a lot of this during my trip but it was also interesting to sample local and seasonal foods. In the name of serious research (ahem), I took it on myself to try out a typical dish in each area of Japan I visited. I was in Japan during the Autumn, and due to allergies I am a soya-dodger (so no tofu or miso). Here is a list of the ten most delicious things I ate in no particular order, strictly for informational purposes. Chopsticks at the ready!

1. Sushi

I had to start with sushi. I am a huge fan and regularly enjoy eating nigri, maki and temaki in the UK. However, this pales in comparison to the superb and fresh sushi available in Japan. In Kyoto and Tokyo I went to a tradition kaitenzushi conveyor belt restaurant. These are cheap, quick and easy – just pick up the plates you like and pay at the end. I opted for fish dishes and some more unique offering included horse meat and fugu (which gave Homer Simpson so much trouble). I’ll always regret not getting up at 5.00am to visit the Tokyo fish market, but there’s a great excuse to go back!