Hello, I’m Shiro. Fukuoka is home to a variety of soup curry specialty shops, offering everything from authentic styles originating from Sapporo to unique adaptations by individual restaurants, each providing a distinctive bowl of soup curry. The sight of spiced broth filled with crispy fried vegetables and chicken is visually stunning, and the deeper you dive in, the more you become captivated by the depths of the soup’s flavor.
This time, I will introduce five carefully selected soup curry specialty shops in Fukuoka that have gained popularity. From convenient locations in central Fukuoka to suburban gems worth the drive, this lineup offers something for every occasion and preference. I’ve compiled a list of each shop’s features, access information, and estimated budget, so if you’re looking to enjoy soup curry in Fukuoka, please use it as a reference.
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- First Shop: Vegespa (ベジスパ) (Chuo Ward, Tenjin Minami)
- Second Shop: Sapporo Soup Curry Robinson Spice (札幌スープカリィ ロビンソンスパイス) (Onojo City)
- Third Shop: Soup Curry Zen (スープカレー禅) (Ukiha City)
- Fourth Shop: Spice Factory (スパイスファクトリー) (Kurume City)
- Fifth Shop: Jungle Soup Curry (ジャングルスープカレー) (Chikugo City, Funagoya)
- Comparison Table of 5 Shops
- Conclusion
First Shop: Vegespa (ベジスパ) (Chuo Ward, Tenjin Minami)
Located on the second floor of a building in the Kego area, just a short walk from Tenjin Minami Station, Vegespa (ベジスパ) is a popular specialty shop where you can enjoy authentic soup curry originating from Hokkaido in Fukuoka. Its convenient location accessible within a short walk from the subway station and the customizable system for spiciness and toppings have gained wide support from customers.
Attraction of the Shop
The greatest charm of Vegespa is its rich soup, carefully layered with spices. You can choose your spiciness level across a wide range, allowing both beginners and advanced spice lovers to customize their perfect bowl. Generous portions of colorful, fried vegetables are beautifully arranged on top, harmonizing the natural sweetness of the vegetables with the stimulation of spices. The cashless payment option is also a reassuring point for inbound visitors, allowing for smooth transactions.
Shop Information
- Address: 1-15-53 Kego, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 2F Elina Plaza Tenjin Minami
- Access: Approximately a 5-minute walk from the “Tenjin Minami Station” on the Nanakuma Line
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (L.O. 3:30 PM) / 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM (L.O. 9:00 PM) *Lunch only on Thursdays
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays (such as New Year’s)
- Visit Tip: The lunch hour can get crowded, so it’s recommended to go right after opening or during the dinner service. You can consult the staff for recommendations on spiciness and toppings when ordering.
Shiro’s Tip
It’s a rare find to enjoy this quality of soup curry within walking distance from Tenjin Minami. I love how they cater to everyone, from those trying soup curry for the first time to repeat customers who want to push their limits on spice.
Second Shop: Sapporo Soup Curry Robinson Spice (札幌スープカリィ ロビンソンスパイス) (Onojo City)
Located in Onojo City, “Sapporo Soup Curry Robinson Spice” is a specialty shop opened by an owner who has lived in Hokkaido for a long time. Their goal is to share the wonders of Sapporo soup curry with Fukuoka. Since its opening at the end of 2021, it has steadily gained popularity locally, even receiving TV coverage.
Attraction of the Shop
The charm of Robinson Spice lies in its commitment to selected ingredients, including brand vegetables from Hokkaido. The soup is rich, carefully extracting the umami of the ingredients, and there’s an option for changing to medicinal soup. The uniquely named menu items serve as conversation starters, and the staff’s attentive service makes it easy for first-timers to comfortably enjoy soup curry. This shop is a rare place to experience the authentic Sapporo-style soup curry in Kyushu.
Shop Information
- Address: 4-5-2 Mikasa River, Onojo City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Access: Approximately a 20-minute walk from the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line “Shimo-Ohashi Station” (Recommended access by car)
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Regular Holiday: Tuesday
- Visit Tip: There’s ample parking available, making it ideal for visiting by car. They have monthly changing menus, so you can enjoy different offerings with the seasons.
Shiro’s Tip
This is a rare specialty shop where you can taste authentic style from Hokkaido in Kyushu. The option to switch to medicinal soup provides an experience that leaves a strong impression of “Japanese spice culture,” especially for health-conscious foreign travelers.
Third Shop: Soup Curry Zen (スープカレー禅) (Ukiha City)
“Soup Curry Zen (スープカレー禅)” is a specialty shop located in Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, a place known for its fruit. This shop is the result of a couple’s passion for creating soup curry as a long-term hobby. Here, you can enjoy spicy and flavorful soup curry, with their signature “Three Color Soup Curry,” which allows you to taste green curry and three types of curry at once.
Attraction of the Shop
The charm of Soup Curry Zen lies in its warm, handmade atmosphere created by the couple and the meticulously crafted spice blends. Their “Three Color Soup Curry” showcases the beauty of vibrant colors while providing an enjoyable tasting experience. Located in the lifestyle area of Yoshii Town, where unique shops are dispersed, it is a perfect hidden spot for a drive combined with exploration of the surrounding area.
Shop Information
- Address: 657-4 Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Access: Approximately a 15-minute walk from JR Kyudai Main Line “Chikugo Yoshii Station” (Recommended access by car)
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (L.O. 2:30 PM)
- Regular Holiday: Monday, 2nd and 4th Tuesday
- Visit Tip: Ukiha City, Yoshii Town, is an area filled with cafes and shops. Starting from Soup Curry Zen, a half-day plan of exploring the charming white-walled streets is recommended.
Shiro’s Tip
This hidden shop in Ukiha, where a couple turned their hobby into a professional soup curry specialty shop, is impressive. The Three Color Soup Curry not only allows for a tasting experience but presents a vibrant sight that leaves a lasting impression of “Japanese craftsmanship” for visiting foreigners.
Fourth Shop: Spice Factory (スパイスファクトリー) (Kurume City)
Opened in Kurume City, “Spice Factory” has been introduced by Kyushu Travel Channel as a “hot” soup curry specialty shop. The main curry comes with an amazing all-you-can-eat buffet, which has quickly made it a hot topic and a noteworthy establishment in Kurume’s soup curry scene.
Attraction of the Shop
The main allure of Spice Factory is its generous offer where ordering genuine soup curry blended with over 20 types of spices comes with all-you-can-eat rice, salad, and a daily changing small side dish ( お惣菜) served self-service. The affordability and abundance of vegetables make it a delightful experience for soup curry fans. Its location along the main road (Route 210) makes it easy to access as a lunch spot while enjoying sightseeing or driving in Kurume.
Shop Information
- Address: 1464-5 Taro Hara Town, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Access: Approximately an 8-minute drive from JR Kyudai Main Line “Mii Station” (Recommended access by car)
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Regular Holiday: Tuesday
- Visit Tip: The place only serves lunch. Being located on Route 210 makes it a very convenient lunch spot for driving or sightseeing in Kurume.
Shiro’s Tip
In addition to authentic soup curry, the self-serve rice and salad concept is rare nationwide. Spice Factory is not only known for its great value but also for its high level of soup quality, which keeps increasing its repeat customers.
Fifth Shop: Jungle Soup Curry (ジャングルスープカレー) (Chikugo City, Funagoya)
The passionate soup curry specialty shop “Jungle Soup Curry,” which even Horiemon has raved about, started in 2014 as a mobile food service and now has a permanent establishment in Funagoya, Chikugo City. The soup curry, developed through more than 1,000 trials, carries a strong individuality and commitment, as indicated by its 1,795 days of development.
Attraction of the Shop
The charm of Jungle Soup Curry is in its bright, tropical-themed interior primarily decorated in canary yellow, and the unique soup curry crafted from the owner’s passion. After exploring famous shops in Sapporo and absorbing authentic techniques, the soup is elevated into a unique recipe where the depth of spices and umami of the ingredients merge at a high level. Many fans travel from far and wide, claiming it possesses an overwhelming individuality that is “unforgettable after the first taste.” The family-run, homely atmosphere is also likable to foreign visitors as a “locally loved hidden gem.”
Shop Information
- Address: 28-1, Shimo, Chikugo City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Access: About a 3-minute drive from JR “Chikugo Funagoya Station” / Approximately a 15-minute walk from JR Kagoshima Line “Funagoya Station”
- Business Hours: Weekdays 10:50 AM – 3:00 PM (L.O. 2:30 PM) / Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 10:50 AM – 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (L.O. 8:00 PM)
- Regular Holiday: Monday (Closed the following weekday if Monday is a holiday)
- Visit Tip: On weekdays, they only serve lunch. On weekends and holidays, they are open for dinner as well, making it a recommended stop for a drive from afar.
Shiro’s Tip
The soup curry completed over 1,795 days is infused with the owner’s very essence. Despite being located in Chikugo City, the fact that fans travel from distant places speaks volumes about its unique flavor. It’s worth planning a “destination drive” to visit Jungle Soup Curry.
Comparison Table of 5 Shops
| Shop Name | Area | Features | Estimated Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegespa (ベジスパ) | Chuo Ward, Tenjin Minami | Customizable spiciness, cashless payment, close to station | 1,000 to 2,000 Yen |
| Robinson Spice (ロビンソンスパイス) | Onojo City | Authentic Sapporo style, selected ingredients, optional medicinal soup | 1,500 to 2,500 Yen |
| Soup Curry Zen (スープカレー禅) | Ukiha City | Three color soup curry is exquisite, hidden shop run by a couple | 1,000 to 2,000 Yen |
| Spice Factory (スパイスファクトリー) | Kurume City | Unlimited rice and salad, authentic spices | 1,000 to 2,000 Yen |
| Jungle Soup Curry (ジャングルスープカレー) | Chikugo City, Funagoya | Passion curry brewed over 1,795 days, highly praised by Horiemon | 1,500 to 2,500 Yen |
Conclusion
The five shops introduced this time range from those conveniently located in the city of Fukuoka to passionate specialty shops that are worthwhile destinations for suburban drives. The aroma of spices, the colorful fried vegetables, and the rich flavor of the soup curry symbolize Fukuoka’s culinary diversity, setting it apart from ramen, motsunabe, and udon.
If you travel to Fukuoka, be sure to visit a soup curry specialty shop. The blend of spiciness and umami in the soup will warm you up and leave you with unforgettable memories of your food journey in Fukuoka.
Planning a trip to Fukuoka? Check flights & hotels at a great price!
Compare flights on Skyscanner
Book hotels on Trip.com
Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog
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