My heart goes out to Kumamoto and the people living in Kyushu who are deeply impacted by the earthquakes. We visited Kumamoto late October last year and it is hard to imagine that many areas of the beautiful prefecture are now
Fukuoka: Ika Sashimi At Kawataro
I ate one whole ika sashimi, with eyes, tentacles and all, for the first time at Kawataro, a well-known restaurant located in a traditional shophouse between Canal City and the yatai street. One order comes with two big ikas.
Nagasaki: The Atomic Bomb Museum
I visited the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Museum many years ago and came out of it a snivelling mess. The exhibits and audio-visual materials were so well put together, I walked out of the museum shuddering from the horror that took place
Nagasaki: Yosso Chawanmushi
Nagasaki is well-known for champon and Castella cake. Unfortunately, I did not get to try either when I was there ‘cos I ran out of time and tummy space. What I did try was the chawanmushi at Yosso, a restaurant that has
Nagasaki: Chirin Chirin Ice Cream
Known as ‘chirin chirin ice cream’, this delicious sorbet-like ice cream in a cone is sold at ice-cream carts located at tourist attractions around the city. The ice-cream seller would usually shape the ice-cream into a pretty rose design. I bought my
Nagasaki: The Spectacles Bridge
I went to Nagasaki on a day trip for two reasons – to visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and to eat chawanmushi at Yossou, a famous restaurant that was established in the city over a 100 years ago.
Fukuoka: Motsunabe At Uma Uma
When I was researching what to eat in Fukuoka, one of the things that kept popping up was ‘motsunabe‘, or cow’s intestines hotpot, a Fukuoka delicacy. I love eating offal (tripe being at the top of my beef offal list)
Fukuoka: Tenmangu Shrine In Dazaifu
Dazaifu is accessible from Fukuoka by train. Since I had the JR Pass, I took the JR train instead of the more convenient route via the Nishitetsu line. Using the JR route required me to take a train to the
Fukuoka: Oshiruko At Nakashu Zenzai
I love red bean soup. When I was a kid, red bean soup made a regular appearance at home during the weekends. My mom liked to serve this dessert because it is easy to prepare, tasty and the ingredients are
Fukuoka: A Gorgeous Starbucks At Dazaifu
This Starbucks in Dazaifu has the most visually arresting architecture in a Starbucks store that I have ever come across. Nestled between shops selling traditional sweets and handicrafts, you cannot miss it on your way from the train station
Fukuoka: Canal Punting In Yanagawa
Visiting Yanagawa, a former castle town approximately 45 minutes away from Fukuoka city by the limited express train, was not originally on my itinerary. As the lady-owner of the o-zenzai shop recommended that I visit Yanagawa to experience the canal boat tours, I
Fukuoka: Karo no Udon / The Frog Udon
Although Fukuoka is famous for its tonkotsu ramen, the most memorable noodles that I ate during my stay in Fukuoka was this delicious udon from a shop called Karo no Udon, located on Kokutai Road. A chef-friend recommended this udon
In Fukuoka
I have just spent five lovely days in Fukuoka, eating piles of yummy food, pounding the streets in perfect weather (neither cold nor windy), and making day trips to Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Dazaifu and Yanagawa. I like Fukuoka. It is a