Fukuoka #5.6

So we walked towards this tourist attraction, near Canal City Hakata. Also known to be the ‘Newton’ of Hakata, where the whole lane is filled with street side stalls selling variations of yakitoris and other cooked food. Nakasu, (中州)、literally meaning “sandbank,” Nakasu is Kyushu’s largest entertainment district.We walked a while before settling down . It was a good experience but we felt like it was such a tourist trap – we probably were overcharged for food that we could get at cheaper and better prices.

at a glance

street stalls

Mixed Oden

Gyoza

Assorted Yakitori as arranged by the waiter

I must admit, I do love how they incoporate mochi into the oden – although I dont think my family thoroughly enjoyed eating mochi in salty based soups.

Nakasu
6 min from Hakata to Tenjin Station by subway.

Because they were so unsatisfied with this meal, we walked on and we saw MOS burger! so all the hungry ones ordered drinks and a burger to share

Yakiniku rice burger

Needless to say, it tastes so awesome in its own country!!! If only we all settled for Mos Burger instead -_-

we were making our way back and we saw how pretty the lightings were to celebrate such a festive and big event in Japan! Despite all that had happened earlier on in the year, they push forward their celebration perhaps as a form of encouragement and way to make the environment less tense and send ‘genki-ness’ across the state.

nicely lit up

Fukuoka #5.5

On the way to finding the ramen place, we walked through the huge Hakata Station and found people queuing up for croissant!! We decided we should also have a pre-dinner snack

iL FORNO del MIGNON (credits to http://www.fukuokadreaming.com/?p=1335) for this picture

There are 3 main flavours, Chocolate, plain and sweet potato. Sweet potato was a little too much of a double carb combo, we loved the chocolate and the plain ones 🙂

Plain

iL FORNO del MIGNON
博多駅中央街1-1 (JR博多駅構内),
[Fukuoka Hakata Station]
福岡市博多区, 福岡県

Fukuoka #5.4

We finally arrived in the City!! Finally I see civilisation!!! and shopping malls! and buildings!!! I saw a big Tokyu Hands! Can’t wait to get in there!!!
So we checked in, and started exploring the city – in search of the best ramen!
one very kind local brought us to the reccomended one that I found off the internet! IchiRan Ramen!!!

Ichi ran ramen

so i listed out in step form an easy way to go about ordering your Ramen.

Step 1. Tell the person for how many people. Most importantly, ask for an English Order Sheet. Select accordingly to the flavours that you want.

English Order sheet

Step 2. Press Accordingly on the Vending Machine what additional toppings/ how you want your Ramen done. Ask the person to assist you if you cannot understand the Japanese.

Vending Machine

Step 3. Hang your Coat/Jacket behind you with the Hanger Provided. Sit according to the Booth that is designated to you

Hang your coats to avoid getting it dirtied

My Booth

Step 4: Help yourself to hot tea/ drinks

Step 5: Do not be alarmed by the bamboo ‘curtain’ behind. This is where the servers will serve you your ramen and toppings. Read the accompanied instructions on how to peel your egg.

EGG!

Instructions on How to Crack Eggs

Step 6: Wait for the arrival of your Ramen and enjoy it!

Ramen!!

Close up

My mum ordered the spicy version of it

Spicy Version

This place totally rocks socks! One of the best Ramen I ever had on the trip!!! The ramen is to be accompanied with their vinegar – which I thought was weird at first, but upon trying it, just enhanced the taste of the Ramen! The egg was enjoyable, and so was the char siew – melt in the mouth! Totally enjoyed this dinning experience! I think its a pretty considerate concept in terms of, although its pretty sad case to be eating behind a booth, but probably for clients that come alone, they won’t feel so awkward.

Ichiran (蘭),
5-3-2 Nakasugawa,
Hakata-ku (2 min from subway Nakasu-kawabata exit 2; five other outlets around town),
☎ +81 92 262-0433, [18].

Fukuoka #5.3

So on the way to the city, we broke our journey up, so we could all take turns to drive as well .. and we made a pit stop at yama da（山田）

yama da Stop

So of course, pit stop = more eating!

Tako Pachi - not bad

Milk Ice cream = YUMMERS

This ice-cream is so creamily awesome!

Tori karage (Fried Chicken)

Fishcake with Cheese ❤

Charcoal cooked chicken - bleagh

Now that All the eating is done , we embarked on our journey to the city! In search for a good ramen!! 🙂

Fukuoka #5.2

So, because our friend’s car broke down halfway while trying to meet us to head towards the city together, we had some time to spare to walk and explore around this Onsen city. As the shops were slowly opening, We chanced upon this famous Croquette shop that prided itself in delivering the best croquette around. Celebrities also patronize them!

Famous Croquette Shop

so we went ahead and ordered 2 to try. I ordered a lobster, Kani(crab) croquette and curry Beef one for my sister to try.

Lobster croquette

Kani cream

Beef Croquette

It lived up to its name! and being one of the first customer of the day, probably added to the punch. I love croquette and I think the croquettes were fried very well – it doesnt have that left over oil kind of taste and its very crispy.

We walked around and sighted a few more interesting sights and quaint shops with their own characteristics

Love the way this shop is decorated

This shop sold mainly self hand painted items. I bought a couple of souvenirs from here for my friends, a super cute handmade paperweight in the shape of a Japanese doll! its was just awesome browsing through the things that were crafted there!

Cuteness

Saw this out side this shop that, the whole first level sold all types of glass ornaments, from crystal bracelets to display ornaments. The second level, sold music boxes! Different types of music boxes galore!!!

OK.. too much shopping .. time to set off towards the city!!!
Bye Yu Fuin!
till next time

Fukuoka #5.1

What a bitter sweet day .. Today is like the last meal we can have at the ryokan 😦

Overview

Pickles

Sunny Side up

Toufu in soy sauce and ginger on top

Simmered Chicken

Mackerel, plum and seaweed.

May I say this seaweed when accompanied with rice is like .. you just can’t stop eating the rice .. Do not underestimate this small pile of seaweed!

Simmered Lotus root and burdock

yup our sad last day breakfast, in comparison to the past few days – seem to also reflect our sadness to leave the place ..

the ryokan lady was really sweet in giving us this special new year’s sake (dai jin jo) and wished us well before we headed off ..

To the city we go!

Fukuoka #4.3

So we rushed back for dinner almost couldnt make it in time – thankfully for my dad who sped back all the way worried that the roads would get slippery when all the ice formed. The ryokan woman was also very worried for us because we came back so late. We were comforted with good dinner!

dish #1 anchovies, picked raddish, black sweet beans

dish #2 : magurou and tai sashimi
love the plate

dish #3 - chayamushi

with ginger ontop

inside hidden a doubled layer toufu - egg and toufu chawamushi! alot of work indeed!!

Dish #4: Surprise soup

dish #4 : toufu soup with toufu on mustard ♥

dish #5: grilled fish

dish #6 : ponzu salad

dish no#7 : Beef!

Dish no #8: chicken wing stew

dish #9 : tempura shitake mushrooms and snow pea

dish #10: baked apple

We were quite sad to leave.. this is like our last dinner here before we go into the city to celebrate New Year! It was a really good experience staying at a ryokan. I am not a mountain and scenary person, neither are my siblings. Thus, from our unappreciative of such sights backgrounds, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience here and look forward to coming back here to stay again!

We caused quite a bulk of trouble for the ryokan woman, when we accidentally threw the car key on the roof, but she was ever so patient in helping us call the roof man to get it down for us .. as well as trying to provide mops and sticks to try to get the key down.

Fukuoka#4.2

After the ever heavy breakfast, we headed towards Mt Aso ..
on the way there we made a pit stop because we got lost.

a station for battery operated cars to charge their batteries

and seeing that theres a souvenier shop selling all the different kinds of japanese Sweets, We loaded up the car with them!! Then, we continued on

almost there

Spot the bear

and finally!!!!

阿蘇山 - active for that day we couldnt go up

Horse meat skewers 🙂 YUMM

we bought a stick to try .. and surprisingly, it tastes like beef and lamb mixed together (if i really had to describe it). Slightly grainer version of the two combined together .

sweet potato mochi?

battery operated car recharging

We decided to head off somewhere else for lunch, since the whole area and museum seemed so touristy. So we just headed around found a ramen place. But sadly, this is one of the suckiest ramen that I ever had in the whole Japan trip. The broth sucked, and everything was just average ..

Sauces to add to ramen

sucky ramen : only the egg and char siew is nice

This was one of the better option – We all liked this better than the ramen

charsiew rice

We (my family) eat innards .. like we go for bah kuet teh and we do order innards .. but .. this one was just mushy all the way .. and just had a weird smell to it ..

fried intestines - ordered by mistake

we were disappointed our first ramen of the trip turned out like that ..but because we were always caught up with the attractions and lose track of time, we always don’t make it in time for lunch .. so beggars can’t be choosers ;/

then we headed to the Takachiho [canyon Segawa Goka]

”]”]Really awesome! although do be warned to drive in and out of the place, the road is so narrow that only 1 car can pass at each time!! the turns are very very sharp! so do becareful!

awesome

Spot the Stalk!!

Huge!! long fish!

We think they keep these fishes for like freeing purposes

after the years of erosion

All crowding around the stall for warmth

and of course, to end off the journey before heading back to dinner:

Homemade doughnuts

Fukuoka Day #4.1

We have been enjoying ourselves in soaking in the onsen (I love the outside one, its like soaking in your own backyard. Especially at night, there are so many stars that light up the beautiful night sky! and as much as i hate to admit it, but the countryside air is really fresh!)

Overview of breakfast #3

dish #1 : raw egg'

plate just to throw the egg shells! Brilliant Japanese!!!

ta daa the result of the raw egg mixed with soy sauce - totally takes away the eggy taste of raw eggs

dish #2: seaweed mixed with carrots, konyaku

dish #3: grilled smoked mackerel

dish #4: salad with raw onions and funny vegetables

dish #5: hot toufu with red miso dipping sauce

dish #6: pickles

dsh #7 beef!!!

dish # 8 nua nua ikan bilis

dish #9 : slimy wildmushrooms with miso soup

and then we set off towards the Volcano, Mt Aso …

Fukuoka #3.3

We had such a full lunch! we didn’t want to spoil our dinner! So we continued exploring around Beippu City and walk off some of our lunch so we can enjoy our dinner!