Recommended 4 Soup Dishes in Fukuoka | Selected by a Food Professional Living in Fukuoka

Hello, I’m Shiro. Fukuoka is often known for its tonkotsu ramen and motsunabe, but it is actually a treasure trove of multicultural soups. From an innovative miso soup that elevates the flavors of clam chowder with Japanese dashi, authentic Vietnamese pho, French-style soups that showcase culinary techniques, to specialty soup shops where you can choose your ingredients, there are renowned establishments where you can enjoy a different worldview with each bowl.

This time, I have carefully selected four shops that have also gained attention on YouTube. While the genres vary, what they have in common is the richness of the experience of “traveling the world through soup.” Be sure to find a bowl that opens a new door to Fukuoka’s gourmet scene.

1st Shop: Miso Soup Otora (Tenjin)

“Miso Soup Otora” is a popular miso soup specialty shop that creates long lines in the Tenjin area. The signature menu item is an original bowl that incorporates the concept of clam chowder into Japanese dashi. The richness of clams and milk is enveloped by the dashi, and it has spread explosively on word-of-mouth and social media as “a miso soup unlike any you’ve ever had.” It has over 158,000 views on YouTube and is one of the most talked-about soup shops in the Fukuoka gourmet scene.

Attraction of the Shop

The charm of Miso Soup Otora lies in its creativity that “breaks the concept of miso soup.” The clam chowder-style miso soup is based on the umami of clams, and the creaminess of milk and the depth of dashi blend exquisitely. The layered flavors that cannot be expressed in regular miso soup showcase a high level of culinary design, and you feel “this is something new” the moment you taste it. Due to its popularity, visiting at the right time can add spice to your journey. The photogenic appearance and the story of “fusion of Japanese and Western” resonate strongly with inbound travelers.

Shop Information

Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog

2nd Shop: asiatico (Tenjin, Daimyo)

Located in the Tenjin and Daimyo area, “asiatico” is a Vietnamese bistro where you can enjoy organic vegetables and authentic pho. As the word “bistro” suggests, it features a sophisticated space design and a commitment to ingredients that you won’t find in typical Vietnamese restaurants, earning high praise from local foodies. It has over 14,000 views on YouTube and is known as a representative of Fukuoka’s Vietnamese cuisine scene.

Attraction of the Shop

The greatest charm of asiatico is the “diversity of pho.” While regular pho is based on chicken or beef, asiatico offers various variations of pho that match seasonal ingredients, and many have commented on its “slightly different pho.” Dishes that use plenty of organic vegetables are visually appealing, and the menu composition perfectly embodies the phrase “gentle on the body and delicious.” The set of spring rolls and pho is also excellent in terms of cost performance, making it popular among local business people during lunch hours. The location in Daimyo and the sophisticated space create an atmosphere that inbound travelers can enter with confidence.

Shop Information

Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog

3rd Shop: THE CONTINENTAL ROYAL (Tenjin, Daimyo)

“THE CONTINENTAL ROYAL,” born from a collaboration between the renowned restaurant “Goh,” which has led Fukuoka’s gourmet scene for many years, and a popular chef, offers innovative soup dishes that fuse French techniques with Asian essences. It has recorded over 6,000 views on YouTube and has become a topic of conversation among Fukuoka food enthusiasts as “the place where you can’t get a reservation next.”

Attraction of the Shop

The greatest charm of THE CONTINENTAL ROYAL is the “density of surprise” embedded in the soups made by top chefs. By combining the technical depth of French bouillon and consomme with Asian spices and ingredients, they condense complex flavors into a single bowl of soup that you can’t experience elsewhere. Soups are often included in courses, and many voices say, “the highlight of the meal was the soup.” The elegant space that can accommodate special occasions and business meetings becomes a unique food memory for travelers from abroad.

Shop Information

Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog

4th Shop: Hakata Hanamidori Nakasu Main Store (Nakasu Kawabata)

Located in Nakasu Kawabata, “Hakata Hanamidori Nakasu Main Store” is a long-established restaurant representing Fukuoka’s local dish, mizutaki. The milky white soup, rich in chicken collagen, is characterized by its mild yet deep umami flavor. With private rooms available for business meetings, you can experience authentic Hakata mizutaki.

Attraction of the Shop

The charm of Hakata Hanamidori’s mizutaki lies in the live cooking style of slowly simmering chicken in clear water. The proper etiquette is to first take a sip of the soup alone — this highlights the transparent umami of the dashi. The Nakasu main store has ample private rooms, providing a calm dining environment for foreign travelers. For inbound travelers wanting to fully experience Japan’s hot pot culture, the photogenic milky white soup and the experience of being a “nabe bugyo” (hot pot master) will make for an unforgettable meal.

Shop Information

Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog

Comparison Table of 4 Shops

The four shops introduced this time express the possibilities of soup through completely different approaches, from clam chowder-flavored miso soup innovated with Japanese dashi, organic Vietnamese pho, French × Asian fusion soup by top chefs, to long-established Hakata mizutaki.

For those who think “soup is a side dish,” I hope you visit these shops. The moment a bowl of soup becomes the main attraction, your enjoyment of food will surely change. The soup scene in Fukuoka is still deep — be sure to find your own favorite bowl.