Fried Noodles @ Dai Hakata Chuukagai, Hakata, Fukuoka

 

You can never be really out of options when it comes to great noodle dishes in Japan. But what if, what if, you want some proper Chinese style fried noodles? Although we have yakisoba, despite being pretty amazing in itself, does not really cut it. So this was a problem during a summer weekend when I was really craving some greasy fried threads of glory. And then I remembered that there is one place that could do the trick. 

A quiet corner. Trust me the other side of the place was packed.

Big Hakata Chinatown or Dai Hakata Chuukagai is a Chinese restaurant located in the center of the city that has been serving many great dishes throughout the years. I had lunch a few times here before but never took the effort to write it down. So it is now to make amends to this mistake. Unlike most eateries in the city, this place also do lunch deals during the weekends, which is a godsend. And for the weekend, they have a 1200 yen where you can get a main noodle dish with a soup and a few sides. For this round I got the Shanghainese fried noodles. 

Massive!

Not bad for a lazy Sunday. That Sunday however, was anything but lazy as it was surprisingly packed, bustling with energy. Despite being a full house, my food came relatively quick. Even though it had a simple facade, it was this simplicity that made this very tasty. Each strand of noodle was perfectly cooked, with the outer layer having a nice bite while the inside still having some form of al dente softness. The seasoning seems to be a combination of dark soy and probably a bit of oyster sauce and garlic oil. Simple, but comforting and has a nostalgic feel to it. 

Glossy and oily, but so good

Although it is not obvious, where were a lot of pork pieces inside the noodles. The colours seem to blend which makes it difficult to spot, but one taste and you would easily notice them. The meat was tender and the fatty parts help compliment everything. The outer layer made out of starch provided this nice velvety texture which help bridge the gap between the meat and the noodles. A copious amount of veggies help round out the experience. Wood ear mushrooms provided an extra crunch which was very welcomed. 

Sleeper hit. 

The sides were pretty standard and nothing to shout at. I mean it was just for 1200 yen. But the soup however, was a sleeper hit. The egg drop seafood soup that was served on the day was pretty good. The shredded imitation crab and the smooth texture of the egg strands really made this stand out. Very satisfying. I could probably make this at home, but there is something about having this from a restaurant that makes it special. 

Second floor. You cannot miss it. 

So after wolfing this down, I can easily say I am a happy camper. Well, this is one more noodle spot to come to. however, noodles are not their only strong point. I been here before for their sweet and sour pork, which was an absolute stunner. And the mapo tofu is something you should get if you like spicy stuff. In the meantime, if you are out for noodles but are sick of ramen, then Chinatown will get you sorted. Sure it is not as big as Nagasaki, but you will get a great meal in any event. The address is as follows:

〒812-0013 Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Hakataekihigashi, 2 Chome−1−24 Gallery Hakata 2F