Desserts in Fukuoka! Where to go, and what to eat!
It’s no secret that I have a massive sweet tooth. They say that Fukuoka is a foodie paradise, and that phrase rings true even amongst the dessert lovers in the local food community. With the latest trends coming over from Korea, and also simultaneously trickling down from Tokyo, the Fukuoka dessert scene is constantly being updated with the newest flashy, fruity, sweets!
Throughout the years, trends have emerged and trends have died, but several shops have stayed consistent in quality and have withstood the test of time. Today, I want to recommend a few of my all-time favorite places to go for a sugar-binge in the city!
My favorite cafe in Fukuoka City (Tenjin) to get pancakes or a decadent dessert. (Image: Strawberry Mont Blanc served on dry ice.)
Located in the basement of Tenjin’s VIORO building, across from Solaria and Iwataya, this humble cafe presents itself as a library with several shelves of books that you are encouraged to browse through.
The berry pancakes with cream cheese topping are divine, and my ultimate favorite pancakes in the city.
In the summer months, nothing cools you down faster than a mouth full of ice.
Kakigori is a popular summer treat in Japan, seen in its most basic form at summer festivals. These fluffy milky ice shavings will melt in your mouth to give way to strong flavors.
Oishii Kori-ya has two locations in the city, and as the days get hotter you can expect a bit of a wait to get seated. Plan to arrive early to enjoy this refreshing dessert.
For anyone who is craving an American style baked good, ON SUGAR has you covered.
Located in Yakuin, a short walk from Tenjin, this shop’s custard-filled donuts are so popular you have to wait in line to buy them. Aside from donuts, they also sell cookies, cinnamon buns, brownies, canneles, and other decadent sweets.
Check their instagram for the latest updates on product availability and seasonal offerings!
Originating in Fukuoka, Ivorish now has french toast chains across the country. This shop is strictly french toast —housemade bread stuffed with cream cheese and topped with seasonal toppings, served with a generous dollop of vanilla soft cream on the side.
Although the french toast tends to be sugary sweet, savory options are available as well! Eggs benedict french toast, croque madame french toast, tuna and cheese french toast, and other seasonal offerings are available with a side of green salad as well!
While this is a chain that’s available across the country, the location in Solaria is one of my favorite places to catch a breather in the city. The big bright windows and the seats that overlook Kego Park are excellent for people watching.
The bitterness of the green tea is offset by the chewy shiratama mochi, the ice cream, or sweet bean paste. There is plenty of room for customization and drinks can be enjoyed hot or cold, making this a viable option for Japanese sweetness all year round.
These are the souffle pancakes that have been taking Japan (and the world) by storm. Eggy, wobbly, light, and fluffy.
At A Happy Pancake, they are made to order and can take a bit of time to arrive (those egg whites are cooked low and slow), but the result is a satisfying warm, airy, and decadent pancake.
Choose your topping of choice (by now it should be apparent that I like all things berry), dig in and enjoy!
If you want the freshest, highest quality of fruit, Campbell Early has your back!
A little on the pricier side, this classy little cafe sits on the 9th floor of Hakata Station overlooking the city, and is a great place to treat yourself to Fukuoka’s famous AMAOU Strawberries when they’re in season.
Splitting a pot of their fresh fruit tea with a friend is a luxurious treat that is as delicious as it is visually appealing.
Japanese taiyaki with a twist! Traditionally stuffed with sweet red bean paste (anko), white bean paste (shiro-an), or custard cream, these taiyaki go one step further— served in a generous helping of soft cream.
The taiyaki alone are incredibly affordable at only 180yen per piece, and served in soft cream it is 500yen per person.
Perfect for the summer months when wandering around downtown.
Manju and bean paste are also available for purchase.
For chocolate lovers, this bean-to-bar chocolate shop is a must visit when shopping in the city.
Located in a quiet nook behind Tenjin’s Sony Store, decadent chocolate drinks (hot/iced), chocolate tea, fresh baked brownies, chocolate mousse, cakes, and tasting menus are available here.
Sit at one of the bench seats and peek into the kitchen in the center of the shop to see how the staff carefully craft each chocolate bar for sale at the counter.
Just a short walk from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, is the French patisserie and tea house, Qu’il Fait Bon.
The cakes and tartes change seasonally, and popular options can sell out quickly, but this is a great place to sit down and indulge in a large slice of cake during a break from shopping. It is a bit pricey for a cake set, but these are some of the most delicately and expertly made cakes in Fukuoka City.
A popular parfait shop in Yakuin, the neighborhood next to Tenjin, this shop specializes in high quality parfaits dressed with seasonal fruits.
Due to the shop’s popularity you can expect to wait in line a little while during peak hours, so try to go early in order to secure your snack.
As these partfaits use good quality product, the price can be a little high, so this is a good option when you really want to treat yourself.
A Japanese-style restaurant with a minimalist style and photogenic ambience, this quiet little cafe serves pancakes in a plain and simple form.
Paired with an iced coffee or tea, they’re a nice light snack for a busy day. These pancakes are not as dense or filling as the eggy souffle pancakes that Japan is known for, but a good sweet-fix for a mid-day snack.
For more up-to-date restaurant listings and reviews (in ENGLISH!) be sure to check out my Instagram feed below!
Did I miss anything important? Let me know your tips and recommendations in the comments below! I always love hearing when you’ve gone and tried any of my recommendations, so don’t hesitate to reach out to let me know if you’ve enjoyed something—or even if you didn’t! Your tips can help other travelers plan their itineraries when they come to visit, so all information is helpful!