Hello, I’m Shiro. Fukuoka is dotted with specialty soup curry shops, offering everything from authentic styles originating in Sapporo to unique twists from individual restaurants. The sight of fried vegetables and chicken floating in a fragrant, spiced broth is beautiful, and as you dig in, the depth of the soup draws you in even more.
This time, I’ll introduce five carefully selected soup curry shops in Fukuoka. From places with excellent access within the city to suburban gems worth the drive, there’s a lineup to suit different locations and occasions. I’ve compiled the features, access, and budget for each shop, so if you’re looking to enjoy soup curry in Fukuoka, I hope you find this helpful.
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First Stop: Vegespa (ベジスパ) (Chuo Ward, Tenjin Minami)
Just a short walk from Tenjin Minami Station, Vegespa sits on the second floor of a building in the Kego area. This popular spot serves up authentic soup curry from Hokkaido right here in Fukuoka. Its convenient location and the ability to customize spice levels and toppings have made it a favorite among a diverse crowd.
The Allure of the Place
The biggest draw at Vegespa is the depth of flavor in their carefully layered spice soup. You can choose from a wide range of spice levels, making it easy for both soup curry newbies and seasoned spice lovers to find their perfect bowl. The generous portions of fried vegetables add a colorful touch, harmonizing the natural sweetness of the veggies with the kick of the spices. Plus, the cashless payment system makes settling the bill a breeze—definitely a comforting feature for inbound visitors.
Shop Information
- Address: 1-15-53 Kego, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Elina Plaza Tenjin Minami 2F
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from Tenjin Minami Station on the Nanakuma Line
- 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
- Closed: Irregular holidays (like New Year’s)
- Tip for Visiting: Lunch can get crowded, so I recommend going right after they open or during the evening. If you’re unsure about spice levels or toppings, just ask the staff—they’re happy to help.
Shiro’s Tip
It’s rare to find this quality of soup curry within walking distance from Tenjin Minami. The wide range of spice customization means it caters to both first-timers and repeat visitors looking to push their spice limits. I really appreciate that depth.
2nd Stop: Sapporo Soup Curry Robinson Spice (Onojo City)
Located in Onojo City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Sapporo Soup Curry Robinson Spice is a serious specialty shop opened by an owner who lived in Hokkaido for a long time. Their mission? To spread the word about the wonderfulness of Sapporo soup curry from Fukuoka. Since opening at the end of 2021, they’ve steadily gained popularity, even attracting TV coverage.
What Makes This Place Special
The charm of Robinson Spice lies in its commitment to carefully selected ingredients, including brand-name vegetables from Hokkaido. The soup is rich and brings out the umami of the ingredients, with an option to switch to a medicinal herb soup. The uniquely named menu items spark conversation, and the staff is attentive, making it a welcoming spot for those trying soup curry for the first time. It’s a rare opportunity to experience authentic Sapporo-style soup curry in Kyushu.
Store Information
- Address: 4-5-2 Mikasa River, Onojo City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Access: About a 20-minute walk from Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line “Shimo-Oari Station” (driving is recommended)
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Tip for Visiting: The restaurant has parking, making it ideal for a drive. They offer a monthly changing menu, so you can enjoy different dishes with the seasons.
Shiro’s Tip
This is a rare specialty shop where you can taste authentic Hokkaido-style curry in Kyushu. The option to switch to a medicinal herb soup will leave a strong impression on health-conscious foreign travelers as a part of “Japan’s spice culture.”
3rd Stop: Soup Curry Zen (ZEN) (Ukiha City)
Located in the fruit kingdom of Ukiha City, Yoshii Town, Soup Curry Zen (ZEN) is a specialty shop born from a couple’s long-standing passion for making soup curry. You can enjoy a spicy, flavorful soup curry, and their signature dish is the “Three-Color Soup Curry,” which lets you taste green curry along with two other types at once.
The Shop’s Charm
The charm of Soup Curry Zen lies in the warm, handmade atmosphere created by the couple and their meticulous spice blends. The “Three-Color Soup Curry,” featuring green, red, and yellow varieties, is not only visually appealing for social media but also offers the fun of tasting different flavors side by side. Nestled in the lifestyle area of Yoshii Town, where unique shops abound, it’s a hidden gem perfect for a drive combined with a stroll around the area.
Shop Information
- Address: 657-4 Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Access: About a 15-minute walk from JR Kyudai Main Line “Chikugo Yoshii Station” (recommended to drive)
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Last Order 2:30 PM)
- Closed: Mondays, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
- Tip for Visiting: Yoshii Town in Ukiha City is an area filled with cafes and shops. Starting from Soup Curry Zen, I recommend a half-day plan to enjoy a stroll through the white-walled streets.
Shiro’s Tip
This hidden gem in Ukiha is where a couple’s hobby has blossomed into a genuine soup curry specialty shop. The Three-Color Soup Curry not only allows for a taste comparison but also offers a vibrant presentation that leaves a lasting impression as a “Japanese craftsmanship” experience for foreign visitors.
4th Stop: Spice Factory (Kurume City)
Opened in Kurume City, “Spice Factory” is a soup curry specialty shop that was even called “hot” on Kyushu Travel Channel by Kaisei. When you order the main curry, you get a delightful all-you-can-eat side of rice, salad, and daily small dishes, making it quite the buzzworthy spot that’s leading the soup curry scene in Kurume.
What Makes This Place Special
The biggest draw of Spice Factory is its generous system—when you order a genuine soup curry made with over 20 types of spices, you can enjoy unlimited self-service rice, salad, and daily side dishes. The high value for money, with plenty of vegetables to fill you up, is an irresistible experience for soup curry fans. Its location along the main road (National Route 210) also makes it an easy stop for lunch while sightseeing or driving through Kurume.
Shop Information
- Address: 1464-5 Taro Haracho, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Access: About 8 minutes by car from JR Kyudai Main Line “Mii Station” (car access recommended)
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Tip for Visiting: It’s open for lunch only. Its location along National Route 210 makes it a very convenient lunch spot for drives or sightseeing in Kurume.
Shiro’s Tip
In addition to authentic soup curry, the style of unlimited rice and salad is quite rare nationwide. Spice Factory is not just known for its value for money; its high-quality soup keeps bringing in repeat customers, making it a solid specialty shop.
5th Stop: Jungle Soup Curry (Chikugo City, Funakoya)
The passionate soup curry specialty shop, “Jungle Soup Curry,” which even Horie-san praised, started as a food truck in 2014 and now has a location in Funakoya, Chikugo City. The owner went through over 1,000 trials and errors to perfect the soup curry, which, as indicated by the 1,795 days of development, has a strong personality and commitment in every bowl.
What Makes This Place Special
The charm of Jungle Soup Curry lies in its bright, tropical-themed interior, dominated by canary yellow, and the unique character of its soup curry, infused with the owner’s passion. After sampling dishes from famous shops in Sapporo and absorbing the authentic techniques, the soup has been elevated to a unique recipe where the depth of spices and the umami of the ingredients merge at a high level. Many fans travel from afar, and the overwhelming individuality that makes you say, “You can’t forget it once you’ve tasted it,” is its greatest appeal. The family-run, homey atmosphere makes it a friendly spot for international visitors, a “local hideaway loved by the community.”
Shop Information
- Address: 28-1, Shi, Chikugo City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Access: About 3 minutes by car from JR “Chikugo Funakoya Station” / About 15 minutes on foot from JR Kagoshima Main Line “Funakoya Station”
- 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)
- Closed: Mondays (closed the following weekday if a holiday)
- Tip for Visiting: They only serve lunch on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, they are open for dinner as well, making it a great drive destination for those coming from afar.
Shiro’s Tip
The soup curry, perfected over 1,795 days, embodies the owner’s life itself. Despite its location in Chikugo City, fans come from far and wide because of its one-of-a-kind flavor. It’s worth planning a “purposeful drive” just to meet Jungle Soup Curry.
Comparison Table of 5 Shops
| Shop Name | Area | Features | Estimated Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegespa | Chuo Ward, Tenjin Minami | Customizable spiciness, cashless payment, close to the station | 1,000–2,000 yen |
| Robinson Spice | Onojo City | Authentic Sapporo-style, carefully selected ingredients, medicinal soup options | 1,500–2,500 yen |
| Soup Curry Zen | Ukihashi City | Three-color soup curry is exquisite, a hidden gem run by a couple | 1,000–2,000 yen |
| Spice Factory | Kurume City | Unlimited rice and salad, authentic spices | 1,000–2,000 yen |
| Jungle Soup Curry | Chikugo City, Funagoya | Passionate curry developed over 1,795 days, highly praised by Horiemon | 1,500–2,500 yen |
Conclusion
The five places I introduced this time range from easily accessible spots in Fukuoka City to passionate specialty shops that make great destinations for a drive in the suburbs. The soup curry, with its fragrant spices, colorful deep-fried vegetables, and rich soup flavor, represents the diversity of Fukuoka’s food scene—distinct from ramen, motsunabe, and udon.
If you’re traveling in Fukuoka, be sure to stop by a soup curry specialty shop. The combination of spiciness and umami in the soup will warm you up and leave you with unforgettable memories of your culinary journey in Fukuoka.
Planning a trip to Fukuoka? Compare flights & hotels!
Compare flights on Skyscanner
Book hotels on Trip.com
Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog
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