This old market lies in the heart of the busy Kokura district. Upon entering, you’ll feel as if you’ve traveled back in time. Its arcade street, built over fifty years ago, has retained a nostalgic charm so strong that some might describe it as a relic from the Showa era. The market is home to over 120 shops selling everyday foods like fish, meat, and vegetables. It is famous for its specialty, nuka-daki, and is often called “the kitchen of Kitakyushu.”
Nuka-daki
Nuka-daki Fish: This traditional dish is a specialty of Tanga Street, the most famous place for it in Kitakyushu. To prepare it, sardines or mackerel are first boiled (taki) in soy sauce and other seasonings, and then fermented in a rice bran (nuka) bed.
Fried Udon Noodles
Daruma Shokudo in Kokura is believed to be the birthplace of yaki-udon. Nowadays, many local shops serve the dish, and the city proudly proclaims itself the “town of yaki-udon.” Yaki-udon is simple to prepare and is seasoned with more soy sauce compared to its cousin, yaki-soba.
