Famous French Food in Fukuoka: My Night Out at Yatai Chez Rémy (屋台レミさんち) in Tenjin

Fukuoka is famous for its… French food? Wow, that was a lot of alliteration! I had always known Fukuoka was well-known for its abundance of Italian food, so I was surprised to learn that the city is not only one of the few places in the world licensed to make Bordeaux wine, but it’s also home to a Yatai stand owned and operated by two Normans.

Established in 2017, Yatai Chez Rémy (Rémy’s) has been operating just south of the Tenjin Underground Shopping District (see here), serving up delicious food. I had the privilege of eating here with a good friend of mine during our day off. The food and the atmosphere were so good, I felt the need to write about this unique dining experience.

What are Yatai?

Yatai to Fukuoka are akin to Food Trucks in Los Angeles. More specifically, there are food carts with limited menus which serve about 6-12 people at a time. Yatai used to be found all over Japan, but as the decades past, many local governments ceased issuing new Yatai licenses. As a result, Yatai dwindled across Japan as owners died or retired. There is one notable exception to the norm, and that’s Fukuoka, where not only do hundreds of Yatai line the streets of Tenjin and Nakasu, they continue to thrive. Imagine my shock when I learned Remi’s was established in 2017.

The reason why is because Remy’s is a newer Yatai. Unlike traditional yatai carts, Remy’s has running water and uses electricity to power everything. Traditional yatai use gas to cook their food.

What did I do before finding Rémy’s famous French food in Fukuoka?

Prior to eating at Rémy’s, my friend and I walked through the basement of the Parco department store, where we stumbled upon Danny Churros. Danny Churros is a churro shop which serves gluten-free churros made with rice flour. We visited this shop because of the novelty of gluten-free food in Fukuoka, the San Diego of Japan. Yet to both our delights, we enjoyed some incredible churros.

I ordered the Matcha-flavored neko churro while my friend ordered a chocolate-flavored one. The churros had a soft, sticky, mocha-like taste and texture. The matcha seasoning complemented the mochi flavor of the churro quite well. It was honestly one of the best churros I ever had, while my friend declared it her all-time favorite churro. If you’re ever looking for a good dessert in Fukuoka, I recommend both Danny Churros, and Ringo.

Eating at Rémy’s

As my friend and I emerged from the Underground City, I told her about this Yatai another friend recommended. Turns out we were right next to it, so we went. I didn’t realize it was a French yatai, which made the experience even better. Throughout our one and a half hour dining experience, the two owners joked around while serving our food, and we chatted with our fellow patrons in both English and Japanese. I shared stories from California and my previous Japan adventures, while my friend also conversed. Now on to the food.

Pork Sausage

The owners recommended I try the pork sausage. The dish was simple, only being served with Dijon mustard and what appeared to be carrot shavings. It was quite tasty. So tasty, in fact, that I wound up ordering more food.

Garlic Toast

If I lose all my friends in Japan, at least Garlic bread has no end. The garlic toast was soft, buttery, and among the most delicious I had ever experienced. It melted in my mouth in a symphony of sweet and garlicky magic. Okay, clearly, I’m not a food reviewer, but you get the idea. My only regret was sharing the garlic toast with my friend! When eating at Rémy’s, be sure to order your own!

Chicken

I never write home about chicken. Most chicken dishes are too dry or even rubbery. Not at Rémy’s! Their chicken was among the juiciest, most tender chicken I had ever tasted. The tender meat fell off the bone as I pulled it with my fork. It was beautifully seasoned, mostly with butter, for a warm and milky taste which complemented the chicken well. I was transported back to France with every single bite of this juicy morsel. I have no regrets about ordering the chicken at all. In fact, I highly recommend you eat the chicken from Rémy’s when you’re in Fukuoka!

Closing Thoughts

Rémy’s French Yatai not only served some of the best French food I ever ate, they also served the best meal I had in Japan, period. Every bite was beautifully crafted, and the two French men who own and operate the Yatai were entertaining and energetic. We took pictures with them after our meal, and went on our separate ways. I will now be taking my French friend, a fellow JET in Tokyo, to Rémy’s so she can experience the magic that is Fukuoka’s Famous French Food.