I learned this one the hard way.
A few years ago, I went to Fukuoka to experience its famous Yatai culture. Yatai are small mobile food stall style restaurants that pop up in the evenings along certain streets and river walks across the country. Like food trucks in that the seating is limited and the space it tight. This forced closeness, makes the experience unique in that once you sit down, you are part of this micro community. The food is usually simple food, cooked to very high standards.
As I walked towards the river, I thought about what I was hungry for. I decided I was in the mood for ramen – should be easy, or so I thought. Walking through the stalls was unlike anything I’d seen before. The sounds, the colors, all of the activity lit by bare lightbulbs from the food stalls. A couple of the stalls had extremely long lines with what looked like an hour or more wait. I lined up at one that only had about a 10-minute wait.
This is when tragedy struck. I was sitting in the middle of what should have been a peak food experience. The steaming bowl of noodles was placed in front of me. I braced for what I thought would be incredible meal. However, the ramen was average. Nothing more, nothing less, just average. I walked back to my lodging disappointed. Then I asked myself if I should have waited in the long line.
A few months later I was hanging out at the Japanese Cultural Center in St. Paul and shared the story with someone. When I said that I didn’t trust the line. She looked at me as though she were speaking to a child about something obvious.
She said “You always trust the line. The Line Never Lies.”
Lesson learned.
When you find yourself in Japan, keep this rule in mind. If you see a long line at a restaurant, queue up at the end of it. I ‘ve waited nearly an hour in line and have yet to regret it. For that matter, I’ve stood for an hour waiting for a spot to open and it’s always been the right decision. Not only does Japan offer some of the best food you will ever eat, but the Japanese really don’t tolerate sub-standard food. If you see an empty spot, there is likely a reason for that.
BONUS TIP!
If you do see a spot with an absurdly long wait but are too hungry or hurried, take note of it. Include the address and hours of operation. It will likely be worth going back either when they first open, or the middle of the afternoon. I still have a few places I want to try but haven’t had the opportunity yet.
Finally, if you can’t wait in line at that moment, it may be worth asking if they ever sell out for the day, as that can happen. The last thing you want to do is think you ‘ve found that one time of the afternoon when it’s not crowded only to find they are sold out of their specialty.
Trust the line!
In Japan, The Line Never Lies!
