After travelling across Japan building relationships with farmers, fishermen and producers, opening a bakery, and dabbling in catering and event planning, culinary handyman Yusuke Hotta took the somewhat unlikely step of setting up a restaurant serving authentic Hong Kong congee along the bustling Nakatsu shopping arcade. But his decision appears to have been well founded: Rice Meals FoTan has become a runaway success among locals and visitors alike, who seek out the place for its voluminous, flavour-filled bowls.
The seven regular topping offerings range from steamed chicken and asari clams to century eggs and minced pork. All congee bowls can be ordered as part of a ‘lucky set’ that includes sides such as an oversized shumai dumpling, plus dessert in the form of douhua (tofu pudding).