It was the night before we depart for Osaka. "We must try the yatai!" I said to my travelling companion. I was too tired to check out the yatai last year but vowed that I would not miss this experience, this second time round.
The yatai may not be your usual bar or pub scene but to the Japanese, it is the cheaper alternative sans frills, dim lights and loud, pulsating music. Yatai(s) are open street food-stalls found mostly along the streets and alleys near Tenjin subway station or in front of Canal city. They open only at night and are good places to try out the "real" local food: mainly oden (Japanese hotchpotch) and Nagahama Ramen, a yummy-licious pork soup-based ramen, found only in Hakata. Liquor (mostly sake) is served and you will be surprise by the selection given the size of each stall.
Most Japanese patronise the yatai(s) for a quick bite of supper. The locals gather at their favorite stalls to unwind after a hard day's work and exchange gossip. It is best if you know a little Japanese as very little English is spoken.
We visited two food stalls, mainly because we had not had our fill. We ordered a selection of oden in the first stall, ran by a middle-age couple by simply pointing to the food items we wanted after we had tried and failed to communicate with each other verbally (I really should have brushed up my Nihongo prior to departure).
The food was delicious but the company, even more interesting. There were 3 regulars having their "after-dinner" drinks when we sat down, they quickly made us comfortable and got us involved in their conversations. When they realised where we were from, they attempted to converse with us in English. Thankfully, they soon gave up and we concentrated in finishing our food (just in case they finally heard of SARs from the local radio station that was blaring in the background, made the proper connections and decide to boot us out).
We had ramen in the second stall. This was ran by two young, energetic gentlemen. The food was so-so but the atmostphere was cosy. Patrons are expected to wipe down the counter that was occupied before leaving.
We spent about 1300 yen per person between the two stalls. This is one experience that no gaijin should miss! Just as we were curious about the locals, they were equally, albeit, discreetly curious about us.
Oshii-desu ne!