Have you ever come across a picture of open-air stalls lining the banks of a river? These are known as yatai, and are an iconic symbol of Fukuoka. These stalls originated as two-wheeled wooden food push carts that date back to World War II. However, after the war ended, regulations were tightened due to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, transforming these carts into stalls.

These stalls come alive around 6pm, and can commonly be found in Hakata’s Tenjin, Nakasu, and Nagahama areas.

Nakasu, in particular, is especially popular, due to its proximity to Canal City. The stalls in Nakasu are also situated along the river, where you can take an idyllic river cruise. The food stalls stay open till around 2 or 3am in the night, making them great for a supper pitstop!

Each yatai usually seats around seven to ten people. It offers a no-frills environment, where you’ll literally be rubbing shoulders with the people sitting next to you. Common dishes found at the yatai include yakitori, Hakata ramen, and oden.

For the uninitiated, Hakata Ramen is one of the city’s local specialities, comprising thin ramen noodles in a tonkotsu (pork bone) broth. Wash it all down with a glass of beer for an utterly authentic experience.