The Ropponmatsu Guide: Fukuoka City’s Secret Foodie Neighborhood
Formerly the location of Kyushu University, Ropponmatsu has exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to the rapid expansion of greater Fukuoka City. What was formerly a neighborhood for students on a budget has transformed into an up-and-coming family-friendly hotspot, featuring a brand-new science museum and planetarium, high-rise apartments, a public park, and small local businesses inhabiting old reformed housing that would otherwise be demolished. A short walk from Ohori Park, and easily accessible from Tenjin, this neighborhood beckons visitors young and old and has evolved rapidly to accommodate its newfound identity as the “#1 most desirable neighborhood to live in” in Fukuoka City.
For the adventurous foodie, there are several pockets within Ropponmatsu that are worth a visit, and while you might not be able to hit up every spot in one day, there’s bound to be something in Ropponmatsu for every palette. This guide will sort listings by “pocket*, to help you better understand what’s available in each “region” of the neighborhood.
64st
A stretch of restaurant and cafe blocks behind Ropponmatsu Station, seeded in a quiet residential area, there are lots of family-friendly choices here for casual strolling and dining, with a park, grocery store, and science museum nearby.
One of the most popular shops in Ropponmatsu happens to also be one of the smallest - Ropponpon is tucked away behind the subway station on a quiet road and specializes in two things: fried chicken, and taimochi. You may have heard of “taiyaki”, the popular fish-shaped pastry often filled with sweet paste, but Ropponpon specializes in a rice flour-based taiyaki that has a mochi-like texture, thus the name, “taimochi”. Taimochi are made to order, so expect to wait about five minutes before receiving your fresh fish-shaped cake. While there isn’t a designated space for you to sit down and eat, you can use the bench outside the shop, the nearby park, or one of the many benches inside the walking path behind the shop to enjoy your snack.
We recommend: The cinnamon mochi montai, a warm, fragrant and chewy fish-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean.
Udon Biyori
With store-made fresh udon noodles, crunchy tempura, and large menu to choose from, Udon Biyori is popular with residents and visitors alike, and during peak hours you will often find customers lining up outside the shop for a coveted seat inside. The most popular dish here is somewhat famous for its rarity - an avocado udon with tempura shrimp, served hot or cold, with a slice of lemon.
We recommend: Shrimp and Avocado Udon (served hot or cold, your choice), with an extra side of tempura (tempura no moriawase) for sharing.
Matsupan
Popular with locals, on sunny days this small bakery can have lineups out the door as customers drop in to purchase their favorite dessert breads and sandwiches. Bread is lined up in display cases, and the shop clerk will take your order and assemble your tray for you, so simply point to anything you’d like to try, and say “kore o hitotsu kudasai” (one of these, please) to make your selection. Bread purchased at Matsupan can be taken to COFFEEMAN next door, and eaten in the shop with your order of drip coffee, which makes this an optimal breakfast location for early morning visits.
We recommend: Try the kinako-pan for a nice nutty donut that goes great with coffee. For savory bread lovers, the sausage bread is a filling snack.
COFFEEMAN
Black coffee connoisseurs will be happy to stumble upon COFFEEMAN, tucked in the alleyway behind Matsupan. With each hand-dripped coffee made to order, you can expect a short wait for your drink, but feel free to enjoy the shop’s ambience or watch the barista’s expertise at work as they carefully craft your cup. Multiple blends are available, including special limited seasonal selections, with varying levels of acidity, fruitiness, depth, and bitterness. Bread purchased at the neighboring bakery can be eaten inside COFFEEMAN, so combining your visits is a great way to enjoy this area to the fullest.
We recommend: When in doubt, start with the 6.4 blend, and move your way up or down the list.
Apartment Coffee Door
Sharing a space with Apartment 101, a hair salon upstairs, Apartment Coffee Door has a minimalist interior with large open windows, flooding it with natural lighting. A newer addition to the Ropponmatsu area, Apartment is where you go if desserts and flavored lattes served in stylish mugs are more your thing. The lattes are made with a heavy cream that yields a dense texture, for a satisfying treat on their own. Dessert selection changes frequently, so ask what the special is on arrival, or check Instagram for the latest updates.
We recommend: For dessert fans, try pairing the flan pudding with a hazelnut latte.
Kiyoki Hitoshina
In Japan, it is common for restaurants to specialize in one specific type of dish, and when they do, they tend to do it really, really well. The concept of Kiyoki Hitoshina is simple, there is literally only one item on the menu. When you sit at your seat, they do not take your order, they simply ask if you have any allergies and then bring you your meal. The tender beef is served in a bath of exquisite dashi, served with pickled vegetables, and a side of garnishes including horse radish, mustard, a soy-marinated egg yolk, or soy sauce. Rice and miso soup can be refilled for free, and for an added cost, you can add extra meat as well. At 2530en per plate, this is not your regular affordable everyday lunch dish, but everything is flavorful and rich, and the meat is cooked precisely to perfection. For the price, you can rely on the quality to be consistent.
We recommend: There is only one item served here, and it’s good! Trust!
Hanabi
Tucked away in a reformed apartment complex, Hanabi is a one-man operation, serving nothing but fresh seafood rice bowls at a modest counter with only a maximum of 6 customers who can be seated at a time. Don’t be intimidated by the menu, it’s quite simple: pick your seafood bowl, pick your sauce (sesame or soy), choose your toppings (Ikura, shrimp, grated yam, or egg), and your rice portion (small, medium, large). There are photos of each bowl on the restaurant’s Instagram account, so if you’re having trouble reading the handwritten menu, refer to the pictures to make your order!
We recommend: The “kaisendon” (mixed seafood bowl) with sesame sauce is always a safe bet!
Ropponmatsu ROJIURA
Tucked away behind the NHK building, across from Ohori Park and next to Gokoku Shrine, you can find small restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, and more. Hidden along the narrow alleyways between residential buildings, this area is great for exploring - with new businesses popping up all the time, you might even discover a new place before anyone else has!
Medetaiya (@medetaiyaropponmatsu) is found inside a modestly furnished two-story home sitting in the back alleys of Ropponmatsu. Try a custard taiyaki with ice cream and caramel syrup, or a red bean taiyaki with green tea ice cream and whipped cream! You can even try more non-traditional, savory taiyaki such as ham and cheese, margarita (pizza), or beef stew. With plenty of options for customization, you can build the taiyaki of your dreams, and either take it to-go and enjoy it in the park or eat it upstairs in the minimalist cafe-style dining area.
We recommend: A fresh hot red-bean taiyaki with a serving of green tea iced cream!
Moritoneri
Moritoneri is a one-man curry shop operating out of the reformed first floor of an old Japanese home that is so subtle, if you walk by on a day off, you won’t even notice it’s there. The unassuming, minimalist-style restaurant doesn’t have an official Instagram or even a set menu. Solo owner and operator @kunihiro_takei hand-writes the menu each day and posts it on his personal Instagram account’s story feed right before opening. With a selection that changes on the whim of the cook, you can look forward to something a little different every time you visit this tiny restaurant.
We recommend: Some toppings are added separately - you can never go wrong with a half-boiled egg!
Days Cup Cafe
Stepping into Days Cafe feels like sitting down in someone's home, as the modest owner singlehandedly works his magic with a small selection of sandwiches, desserts, and drinks. When all the cafes are full in Ohori Park, this is a great place to grab a coffee or a freshly toasted panini and take a short break - a nice place to stop in between lunch and dinner for a light snack.
We recommend: The owner bakes his own cheesecake, and will gladly claim it’s the best in Fukuoka. If you see it on the menu, give it a try!
Kafe Toruko
Kafe Toruko offers plenty of flavorful dishes that are healthy, filling, and delicious but are also unlike anything else currently offered in Fukuoka at the moment. Run by a friendly international couple, this is the only shop in Ropponmatsu where you can expect to speak English and be understood in. They also offer vegan dishes for those who do not eat meat! Although they can prepare a few vegan dishes on the fly for lunch, call (English OK) and reserve in advance for a full-course vegan meal complete with custom dessert as well!
We recommend: Although you must book in advance, coffee fortune-telling is a fun experience to be had here, compatible in English as well.
HEP Donuts
Located in a narrow residential alleyway, inside of an old house that has been remodeled into a two-story vintage clothing shop, these chewy, soft custard-filled donuts are made fresh to order. Since there is nowhere to eat inside the shop, take these donuts to nearby Ohori Park, or Gokoku Shrine to snack on. Check the Instagram account to confirm when they’re being served, as the donut shop is only several times a month at the moment.
We recommend: Also checking out some of the original clothing for sale in this quirky and unique little shop.
Homachiame
A small coffee roaster nestled inside an old apartment complex, Homachiame prides itself on its roasting and brewing techniques. While there is space inside for seating, this small hole-in-the-wall cafe isn’t great for big groups and is geared towards the solo customer, or at most, pairs. Takeout is available, with a small selection of sweets if you manage to get a seat inside. The cozy atmosphere and greenery make you feel like you’re visiting someone’s home.
On The Toast
Enjoy homemade toast, dessert, and tapas here at this little cafe and restaurant joint. Aptly named, “On The Toast”, many of the dishes here are sweet or savory, served on the family’s original bread. During the daytime, this is the perfect place for a brunch or lunch set on your way to, or back from Ohori Park, but come nighttime, the sake comes out and little hors d’oeuvres are served as well.
Manpuku
A longstanding mainstay in the Roppomatsu area, Manpuku serves hot fresh takoyaki (deep fried octopus balls) for a low price. Not a fan of octopus? No worries, you can order “mince-yaki”, a similar dish that uses minced pork as a substitute instead! You can eat your hot takoyaki on the bench next to the stand, or take it to-go and enjoy it on a bench overlooking the pond at Ohori Park!
Other Areas in Ropponmatsu
Aside from the two areas mentioned above, Ropponmatsu has plenty of cafes, restaurants, izakaya, and specialty shops worth exploring near the station. These spots are also within walking distance from the subway exits and are loved by local residents and visitors alike.
Delicious fresh baked loaves of bread, sandwiches stuffed with seasonal vegetables, and fruity desserts. Amam Dacotan (@amam_dacotan) is so popular, a line often forms to enter the shop before they are even open for business. Although this bakery does not have an eating space, you can bring your purchases to their newly opened cafe (Dacotan Cafe) located two shops down the road instead (they provide serving plates and hot coffee!) These sandwiches are great for a picnic in nearby Ohori Park, a great gift to bring to a friend or a great way to treat yourself during a hectic week.
We recommend: Hungry? The Dacotan Burger, a stuffed sandwich with purple shredded cabbage is always a great choice!
Ni Hao! Pong Yu
Ni Hao! Pong Yu is a popular lunch spot for busy workers in the area, well-known for their simple lunch sets of rice, soup, and a Chinese dish of choice, reasonable prices, and fast order turnaround. Walking into the restaurant, the open kitchen is lively and chaotic, as orders are shouted back to Chinese workers in the kitchen, and food is steadily being brought out to customers. At night the restaurant has a large menu of rice dishes, noodles dishes, meat & seafood dishes, and vegetables to choose from. Plates are made fresh to order and served in hearty portions on large plates for sharing. For two people, I recommend 3 dishes and some boiled dumplings to share!
We recommend: The boiled dumplings are a favorite here, and take-home frozen dumplings are available as well!
Xin Chao
A literal “hole-in-the-wall” pho stand, operating out of a room the size of a closet, Xin Chao is one of the few places in the city that offers authentic pho generously topped with salad greens, Vietnamese spring rolls, Banh xeo, Vietnamese beer, and more. A one-man (or woman) shop that is popular with the locals, you might have to wait for a seat, but the cozy atmosphere is warm and inviting, and during a '(tight fitting) full-house, you feel like you’re part of the family.
We recommend : The chicken pho and the Vietnamese fried spring rolls wrapped in lettuce!
Currytiner
A very niche choice in the world of Japanese-style curry, Currytiner (カレチネ) operates out of a small restaurant a short walk from Ropponmatsu Station. On the weekends he only serves one dish, with no room for substitutions, so be prepared to go with the flow -- if you're an adventurous eater you'll have a lot of fun here. Curry is on the spicy side, so expect a runny nose and make sure you grab a glass of water.
We recommend: This is a go-with-the-flow type of restaurant, and you’re at the mercy of what the owner wants to serve. Good luck!
Ropponmatsu Goen
One of the most popular Izakaya in the area, Goen serves a variety of local specialties including sashimi, motsunabe hot pot, gyoza, and more! A popular gathering place for young people and baseball fans, you might have trouble dropping in on a Friday or Saturday night without a reservation — especially if there’s a baseball game on TV! As far as locally authentic bar and pub experiences go, this little spot is perfect for people watching and observing, and gives you and up-and-close look at the after-work lives of local Japanese people.
We recommend: The shop’s specialty fried chicken with the “magic powder” is an experience, definitely order one to share at the table.
As the area is developing all the time, there are likely to be even more shops popping up over the next year in these concentrated areas - already popular with locals who enjoy cafe hopping and restaurant hunting, there hasn’t been a lot of information in English about this area until now. With the Nanakuma Line extending to Hakata Station in Spring of 2023, this residential area will be even more accessible for visitors who are in the area temporarily, and if you’re looking for a little slice of life, definitely make your way out to Ropponmatsu and explore the area for yourself!