Food Tour Scramble : Kyushu Lovers Market 2024

 

With the spring season in full swing, more and more events have been popping up in the Fukuoka city areas. One of which is the Kyushu Lovers Market, which is a pop-up food market that specialises in the best of what the Kyushu region as to offer. And since it is being held in front of Hakata Station, which is literally a 10 minute walk from my house, it was a no brainer choice. 

Wet! It may not be obvious, but it was raining like crazy. 

The market is a pop-up event that sells ready made food and also fresh produce to be prepared at home.  And it is the first time that it is organised since the pandemic era. Seeing that it is a pop-up event, it was held from 17 April to 21 April. As such, I was really looking forward to it. 

First port of call. 

However, despite my eager attitude, the weather became a formidable foe as it rained pretty heavily. Lucky for me a good portion of the place was sheltered, although I had to move around from time to time to avoid the rain. Having such a chilly environment, the first thing that came to mind was something to keep me warm. And curry seems to be the best option. One of the stands that was selling its wares had wild boar curry and rice for 800 yen for a full portion 500 yen for a half portion. Seeing that I would like to try other treats, the half size was a fitting option. 

Happiness in a bowl

It was actually pretty good. With a punchy curry sauce made of Thai spices and a grainy but still delicate meaty texture, this was just incredible. The heat permeating from the curry and the rice helped kept me warm. One point to note is that the rice was jasmine, which gave this bowl extra points. 

Golden

The next thing that came in line was some fish and chips. Specifically fish from Nokonoshima island and as a replacement for potatoes, onion rings were there as the representative for the chips. This was quite good as well. The batter was actually tempura, which gave a lighter and crispier profile. The fish was incredibly fresh, and the onion rings pair well with the crispy fish. A box stood for 800 yen. It was a bit pricey, but still rather tasty. 

Do good things come to those who wait?

However, one main star for my visit was the wagyu panini which stood at 500 yen! It was originally for 600 yen, but a 100 yen discount is given in the event of rain. So, not too bad of a deal I guess? It took a while to get the whole thing going, as the stand only has one panini press. Well I did get the warning that it will be a 5 minute wait, at the very least. 

Worth the wait

But the wait was worth it. The beef was succulent and had a tarty taste with a hint of savouriness. It was braised in red wine, so it's not much of a surprise. What made this special was the fact they used mash potatoes inside. Carb on carb is an uncommon combination. But it worked well and gave a textural element to this sandwich. 

Refreshing

And to wash it down, a glass of lemonade was there to save the day. It was a simple fizzy treat that stood at 400 yen, but it did the job. There were pale ales and lots of craft beer. But seeing that its a bit too early to get slushed, I decided to stay away from any alcoholic beverages at that time. I was very tempted though. 

Looking forward to the next one!

So if you are somehow within the Hakata area, I do recommend visiting the event. It should be noted that this event is on going and at the time of publication, it will be the last day! So if you are a hungry foodie or  curious onlooker who enjoys good food, you will be doing yourself a favour in dropping by. All roads lead to Hakata Station anyway so it is very easy to get to. In the meantime, enjoy!