Foods

Mentaiko ／ Chikae (FUKUOKA)

https://chikae.co.jp/

Chikae’s commitment lies in the grains of tarako, which determine the flavor and texture. Chikae’s karashi mentaiko is made from evenly sized grains that retain the egg’s original round, beautiful shape, elasticity, and delicious taste.
It is a representative mentaiko of Hakata.

Oshukubai ／ Mangyoku (FUKUOKA)

https://www.mangyoku.jp/

A delicacy named “Ōshukubai” can be found at “Mangyoku,” a shop located in Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City.
This shop began as a traditional Japanese restaurant in 1956, where the flesh of pickled plums called “Ōshukubai” was originally served as a small appetizer with sake. It became popular and eventually turned into a signature item known throughout Japan. This “Ōshukubai” is made by pickling Nanko-ume plums from Kishu-Tanabe using a secret method to reduce the salt content, then removing only the flesh and seasoning it with tea-infused kelp from Hokkaido, creating a plum paste-like product. It is delivered in acid-resistant ceramic jars, each one handmade on a potter’s wheel.

Yoshiisomen ／ Nagaoseimen (FUKUOKA)

The secret to the deliciousness of “Yoshii Somen”
Oil is generally used in hand-stretched somen to knead wheat and stretch it into thin noodle form. However, at Nagao Seimen, they do not use oil, based on the belief that coating the noodles with oil prevents water from penetrating, which reduces the flavor. In addition, to bring out the original taste of the wheat flour, ample time is given for maturation, requiring three days to complete the process. Even now, the noodles are stretched by hand, and production is carried out through methods researched to be as close as possible to those used in the Edo period.

Japanese Tea ／ Iriechaen (FUKUOKA)

https://www.irie-chaen.com

“Irie Tea Plantation” is located at the summit of Mt. Kugiyama, approximately 450 meters above sea level, on the border between Kurogi Town in Fukuoka Prefecture and Kahoku Town in Kumamoto Prefecture. For over 40 years, they have been cultivating tea in this area using completely pesticide-free methods. Without using any pesticides, they carefully cut the grass by hand. The tea, grown with great care, flourishes freely and vigorously in the clean air and natural surroundings, nurtured by the love of each member of the tea plantation.