Food Tour Scramble: Tenjin Christmas Market 2023

 

Its that time of the year again! There are very few things that could usher in like a Christmas Market. And if one goes to Fukuoka, generally the go to spot will be Tenjin city hall. Similar to the summer festival every year, the open area by the city hall will be the spot where the Christmas Market is held. With lots of food stalls, gift shops, and live performances, there is something for everyone. 

Always impressive

Although this is somewhat of a yearly staple, and I have been here every year since I have been living in Fukuoka, it has always been great. The captivating lights, the energy of the environment despite the cold, and just the sheer scale of everything just makes it fun to visit all the time. This year was no different. 

Greasy, but good. 

As I was pretty hungry when I arrived, I dove straight right into ordering something to chow down on. And the first thing was the German staple currywurst. It was essentially chopped sausage that was coated with curry seasoning. It was a bit intense, but still pretty enjoyable. The corners of the sausage were toasty and had a crunch while the seasoning felt a bit like blended cheetos. Not healthy for one bit, but it has enough grease content to keep me warm for the next few hours. This stood at 1000 yen. A decent price to be honest. 

You can keep the cup!

Speaking of warm, I decided to get a cup of mulled wine. A cup stood at 1200 yen, which may sound pricey. However, you can keep the cup which sweetens the deal. The beverage was warm, fruity and slightly sweet. Hints of cinnamon and cloves were present and it gave of a nice aroma. Pretty decent as well. 

Now this is a force to be reckoned with.

If you want something more substantial, then the bacon and cheese gnocchi would sort you out nicely. This was incredibly comforting. The gnocchi puffs were hot and chewy, with a rich cheese sauce enveloping the entire thing. Bacon bits then were scattered, giving it extra depth of flavour and texture. With the steam just bellowing out of the cup, this was a treat that hits the spot on a cold day. 

A violinist playing some amazing music.

And it was incredibly cold! Winter in Japan can be rough depending where you are especially if you are in the Tohoku area or Hokkaido. But it can even hit single digits in areas that are down south like Fukuoka. Well, unless it is Okinawa where it is hot all year round. Still, with events like the winter Christmas market, it makes something to look forward to despite the temperature as food was not the only highlight. 

Another shot of the main spire of the venue. 

There are also various statues of Santa around the city and live performances by various artists here and also the other Christmas market in Hakata. In fact, I was able to watch a free HKT 48 mini concert during last year's installment. So if you are in Fukuoka in December, coming by to experience this is a strongly recommended suggestion. Despite the frosty weather, I am sure you will enjoy yourself. And until then, Merry Christmas!