Breakfast @ The Local Coffee Stand, Hakata, Fukuoka

 

Despite being the first meal of the day, I realised the last time that I written about breakfast was back in December last year. So it is just natural for me to want to change things. And when I was looking for recommendations for said breakfast, it was amazing to see that a great cafe that serves breakfast sets is literally a stones throw away from my house! Enter the Local Coffee Stand. 

I really like the woodwork in this place. 

Located within the compound of The Basics Hotel, they have been serving mean coffee to hotel patrons and the general public for quite some time. In addition to coffee, this establishment also has a mean array of sweets for you to enjoy alongside your liquid gold. And they do have breakfasts. I have been passing by this place for years while running errands or while going for my evening jogs. But heading in here? This is a first. 

Elegance

With regards to their breakfast, their main player is their breakfast platter, which consists of a sausage, a cheese baked savoury toast, a side salad and of course, a cup of coffee. That set stands at 1750 yen. You can omit the drink, which will lead to 1300 yen but as you are in a coffee spot, why would you? During my first visit at about 9.30 am, I opted for mackerel and tuna melt set that could really be the stuff kings eat. This was very good and I was surprised as to how good it was. The cheese and cream sauce help bind the fishy bits onto the slice of artisan bread quite well. 

Worthy of a close up

The bread felt like a cross between a Japanese shokupan and sourdough which gives it a nice texture. The overall combination was also quite savoury and homely.   The sausage was nice as it was a proper bratwurst loaded with herbs and garlic, a great compliment to the seafood delight I just had. The salad was ok, and works as a good palate cleanser. I really liked the pickled carrots that was served as it provided that zesty contrast that makes thing light up. 

Liquid gold

The coffee on the other hand, was pretty astounding. It as a deep earthy punch which I liked very much. It has a creamy mouthfeel to it without being very cloying. The smokiness was also present but not to a point that you are swallowing the remnants of a bush fire. And seeing that our breakfast was kinda savoury and heavy flavourwise, this allows some give and help cut through the flavour. 

Stellar. 

Since coming here was rather easy, I thought if visiting it for a second time before I put my thoughts to paper and this time I ordered the croque monsieur. The only difference was the bread portion of the meal is different. The croque monsieur was really good. The cheese and bechamel provided that creamy bed of savoury delight which just melds the bacon onto the bread like soldering. It felt like a pizza toast but with extra sophistication and elegance. Top that with all the bells and whistles from the past breakfast, and you got yourself a winner. For the avoidance of doubt, the price of this was the same. 

Front of the house. 

It should be noted that for my second visit, I did come a bit closer to 10 am. This time the crowd was pretty intense as compared to my initial sojourn. Somehow this place seems very popular with Hong Konger tourists, although many locals were here too. So if you want to try this place, timing matters. Still, I was able to get a table in the end and enjoyed another stellar breakfast.  I am very glad that I finally gave The Local Coffee Stand a chance. It has been almost 4 years too late, but better late than never right? Speaking of which, Fukuoka does have a very vibrant and competitive cafe industry so I will probably be on a lookout for more caffeine pitstops in the future. In the meantime, do give this place a go. The address is as follows:

  〒812-0013 Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Hakataekihigashi, 2 Chome−14−1 THE BASICS FUKUOKA 1F