Japan 2024 Trip Part 17: Nanzoin Temple, Fukuoka

Previously:

Japan 2024 Trip Part 16: A Day Trip to Nagasaki

Starting the day with a filling breakfast is very important, a filling food yet healthy and delicious is a bonus.  That morning, we had our first meal of the day in the foodcourt underneath JR Hakata Station, in level B1of Hankyu Mall to be exact.  Though I have been staying in Fukuoka for a few days, but I haven't got a chance to try their popular ingredient which is Mentaiko or pollock roe.  

I found this one shop where they sell mentaiko as a condiment that comes with a set meal.  So, I ordered this deep-fried fish set dish from Kaisendon Tempura Hakata Kisuimaru shop.  The best thing eating in food court is that everyone can be pleased under just one roof.  Each of us ordered a different dish yet we can eat on a same table.   

Kaisendon Tempura Hakata Kisuimaru

Deep-fried aji (horse mackerel fish) set meal 1,320yen

I ordered the deep-fried horse mackerel fish set meal, it comes with some sashimi and tiny bit of that mentaiko.  Mentaiko tastes slightly salty and the texture is soft and slightly creamy.  It enhanced the flavour of my steamed rice when I put them over the top of my hot rice.  That was one problem though, it was not enough mentaiko.  I need more!!!!!  For the fish itself, it was very crispy with light and thin panko breadcrumb on the outside and juicy fillet in the inside.  It was a satisfying meal overall.

Fresh salmon and ikura don 1,200yen - their salmon was super fresh

Seafood don 1,430yen (L)

Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) with rice 990yen from Ossys's Kitchen

Takoyaki 616yen

The food in this food court was overall delicious and those fresh seafood dons were no doubt fresh.  As they weren't my dishes, but judging from a piece of sashimi that I stole from my husband and my son's bowl.  The price is definitely for the locals, they are pretty standard not overpriced at all.  Finished with the meal, we needed to clean up after ourselves.  We have to return the bowls and cutlery to the shelf provided.  Each tray has to be returned back to the right shop.  

Done with our breakfast, we then headed to Nanzoin temple to visit the famous reclining Buddha.  From Hakata, you can catch Sasaguri JR line direct to Kidonanzoin-mae station that only take around half an hour train journey.  From the station, you'll then need to walk up hill that would take around 5-10 minutes passing through the Xylophone or Melody bridge before arriving the statue.  There should be a little mallet hanging in one end of the bridge for passer-by to use to hit iron bars above the handrails and you can hear some tunes.  Unfortunately, on that day, I couldn't find that little mallet and it was sprinkling and a wet day, so I won't be bothered looking for it.  But still, I did try it with my hands and I could hear a very soft soft tunes out of those iron bars.

On the top of the hill, you'll find what is claimed to be the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world.  Not only that, but there are also other nice spots to visit like other deity statues and unique shrines in this area.     

Outside the station, there is this small shop selling fried snacks like deep-fried chicken drums, kawa or crispy chicken skins and also sweet potato fries.  While we're waiting to get our food, I noticed this guy was holding the hot iron-handle of the fryer with his bare hands.  Like another master of Osaka's flamethrower.   

Kaisendon Tempura Hakata Kisuimaru

Level B1, Hankyu Department Store, next to JR Hakata station

Ph: +81 92 419 5107

Nanzoin temple

Open: daily from 10:00 - 16:30

Entrance: Free

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Fukuoka:

Japan 2024 Trip Part 18: Miscellaneous Things in Fukuoka City

Japan 2024 Trip Part 16: A Day Trip to Nagasaki

Previously:

Japan 2024 Trip Part 15: Yatai Food Stalls, Nakasu

The train journey from Hakata to Nagasaki takes approximately one and half hours and this trip is covered by JR Pass.  If you have more time, I suggest staying overnight in Nagasaki as there are plenty things to explore and food to try here.  As we only had limited time, we did a short-day trip here.

When I looked at the timetable, it said that we needed to change train at Takeonsen station to go to Nagasaki from Fukuoka.  But we only had three minutes until the next train departs.  I was a little worried if in case that we need to change platform.  Luckily, the train was just right across on the same platform.   

Getting around Nagasaki city, the most convenient way is by catching a streetcar.  You can buy a one-way ticket for 140yen or if you spend like a day trip here and would visit many places like I did, get the day pass for 600yen.  You can buy this ticket from the information centre at Nagasaki Station.  The streetcar covers most attraction places, such as Atomic Bomb Museum, Chinatown, Meganeashi bridge, Sofukuji temple and so on.

If you carry this day pass, make sure that you get off from the front door of the streetcar, as you need to show your pass to the driver before hopping off.

Fatman

Nagasaki Chinatown

Pork belly bun 350yen

Their bun here was ordinary, if there is more sauce on the pork, it would taste a lot better. 

Xiao long bao 300yen/3pcs or 900 for 10pcs 

Of course, we're in Chinatown and of course, we wanted to have Chinese food here.  There are a few Chinese restaurants in the area.  We basically just randomly picked the one that looking good, not so pricey with customers already inside the restaurant.  Those are the basic reasons in safely choosing restaurant in an unknown place.  To be honest, I didn't do any homework before coming here, I only searched for Nagasaki's delicacies and what to eat but not with the recommended restaurant.

 

So, we landed here in Chun Xia Qiu Dong restaurant on the Shinchimachi, Chinatown main street.  The restaurant is pretty big compared to the others and the place looks clean too as a matter of course.  Also, there are variety menus to choose from.  

 

Mapo tofu (Spicy/Large) 1,880yen

Sweet and sour pork 2,380yen

Stir-fried shredded pork and green pepper 1,380yen.

Fried rice with shrimp 1,080yen

Champon (noodle soup with seafood) 980yen

I was so looking forward to trying that Champon noodle dish which is a regional delicacy here in Nagasaki.  Champon is a hearty noodle soup that comes with mixed vegetables and variety proteins in it as well.  It could be pork, chicken and seafood.  This dish is first created by one Chinese immigrant for Chinese students who live in this area.  Not only it is filling and nutritious but he charged the dish in a cheap price so students can afford it.  

The one we had from this place was I would not say we were disappointed, but it wasn't that extraordinary either.  It was simply a ramen dish served in a thick pork broth with some mixed vegetables, wood ear mushrooms, bacon and seafood.  It is no doubt a healthy and fragrant noodle dish, but I still prefer the normal tonkotsu ramen though.  

Overall, their food were pretty good, especially that deep fried pork coated with sweet and sour sauce, it was delightful and they also made a really great fried rice dish.  For the spicy dishes like mapo tofu and shredded pork with green pepper, they were quite light and not too spicy at all so easy to handle.  

Sesame balls 100yen each

Dejima

Meganebashi Bridge

On a clear bright day, you can see the reflection that makes the bridge looks like giant glasses.   

Chun Xia Qiu Dong

11-15 Shinchi-cho, Nagasaki

Ph: 095 895 8999

Atomic Bomb Museum

Open: 8:30 - 17:30

Entry fee: 200 yen 

Stay tuned for the next blog in Fukuoka:

Japan 2024 Trip Part 17: Nanzoin Temple, Fukuoka

Japan 2024 Trip Part 15: Yatai Food Stalls, Nakasu

Previously:

Japan 2024 Trip Part 14: Fukuoka Anpanman Children's Museum

At night, we headed to Nakasu Yatai or more commonly is called Yatai food stalls.  The place is not too far from Riverain Mall, took us approximately ten minutes' walk from there.  Otherwise, this place is only like two minutes' walk from Canal city and Kushida Shrine Station.  As it was still pretty early when we arrived, around half past five in the evening, so lots of stalls weren't ready and instead we bought something from the food trucks at Seiryu Park next to Canal City.  But on another night, we went back there again to Yatai and the place was really crowded and bustling.  The later the night is, the more they become alive.  There was waiting time for most stands.  This place is something that not to be missed if you're visiting Fukuoka.  This food stall style has been an iconic culture in Fukuoka and it is preserved by the government as well.  There are around 20 stalls along the Naka river with typical dishes can be enjoyed here are grilled skewers, ramen noodles and oden or Japanese hot pot and all of these are usually accompanied with some alcoholic drinks from beers, sake to highballs.  The price here are very competitive.  

Around 5pm, most of the stalls are still setting up and getting ready

Yakisoba with pork 1,200yen for large

Chicken kebab 900yen

Beef skewer (L) 1,500yen

By the way, you can enjoy a fountain show where the water dancing along with the music at the Canal City Mall.  It starts at 10 in the morning until 10 at night with half an hour interval.  However, some come with music some not, make sure you check their timetable in this link.

Chicken skin

Apparently this chicken skin skewer is one of the delicacies here in Fukuoka.  I don't think it was grilled.  It was more like boiled chicken skins in soy sauce.  Taste-wise was good, there was kinda sweet and salty combinations.  However, I just don't get the texture of it.  I am a chicken skin lover when it comes to fried, grilled or even boiled like in Hainan chicken rice for example.  But with this, hard for me to explain, it was too oily, greasy and chewy that with just good sauce, cannot balance it.  I believe if it was done differently like maybe grilled and slightly dryer, it would be a lot better.

  
We were still hungry from the food we had from the food trucks, so we grabbed a few more comfort snacks from our go-to shop which is Family Mart.  

Pizza bun

Caramel pudding with souffle

The second night when we went to Yatai again, the place was felt livelier and there were queues already for some stands.  Each stall is very tiny but effectively can fit around 20 people.  Luckily, we let the grandparents to look after our kids, because I don't think it is suitable for young kids.  

We only ordered a few side dishes as we had dinner earlier that night.  Just want to feel the vibe and try new experience here.  Great service, nice food and unforgettable memory from Hidechan stall.

Asahi beer 700yen/bottle and lemon chuhai 600yen

Grilled beef 1,200yen

Chicken skewer 600yen for 2 pieces

Gyoza 500yen for 5 pieces

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Japan 2024 Trip Part 16: A Day Trip to Nagasaki