Hakata, a vibrant district nestled within Fukuoka City on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, serves as a cultural hub steeped in history and culinary delights.
Renowned for its rich tapestry of flavors and culinary heritage, Hakata stands as a culinary paradise within Kyushu, inviting visitors to indulge in its diverse offerings.
This bustling city boasts a unique fusion of tradition and modernity, welcoming visitors to explore its intricate network of narrow streets adorned with a plethora of restaurants, Izakayas, and local eateries.
Kyushu cuisine is revered for its harmonious blend of flavors, emphasizing the freshness of locally sourced ingredients.
Embark on a gastronomic adventure as you wander through the charming streets of Hakata and savor Kyushu's culinary treasures at these five fabulous Japanese restaurants.
1）博多 魚蔵 / Uokura Hakata
Located in the Miyako Hotel in front of the Chikushi Exit of Hakata Station, Washoku Izakaya “博多 魚蔵 / Uokura Hakata“ is a restaurant specializing in “Nodoguro“ and “Yarika“, both of which are known as high-class fish.
The fish is shipped directly from producers in the suburbs of Fukuoka.
Why don't you taste the freshness of “Blackthroat Seaperch(Nodoguro)“ from Tsushima and “Yarika“ from Yobuko in Kyushu?
Local Guide’s Point of View
In order to provide our customers with fresh, seasonal ingredients, they go directly to the fishing port to purchase ingredients every day, carefully selects the freshest seafood, and the head chef prepares the food after receiving your order.
Please enjoy pairing with various types of sake such as Tanaka Rokujyugo, Azumaichi, Koimari-saki, Amabuki, local Kyushu sake, beer, highball, etc.
Also a 120-minute all-you-can-drink course.
Popular Dishes
1. Deep-fried Whole Throat Blackfish
The “Benihitomi“ brand fish from Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, is exceptional.
Tsushima's “Nodoguro“ grows up in the fast-flowing, nutrient-rich Tsushima Current.
This dish is fried crispy on the outside and fluffy and juicy on the inside.
2. Yobuko Squid Sashimi
Yobuko Squid Sashimi, landed at the fishing port of Yobuko in Saga Prefecture, is as clear as water, a sign of freshness.
It is characterized by its crispy texture and the sweetness of the seafood.
Tempura of Yobuko “Yarika“ is also recommended.
Facilities & Services
Accessible only a minute walk from Hakata Station, this Washoku restaurant offers Kyushu cuisine and seafood dishes, wagyu along with a wide variety of sake and shochu.
Private rooms are available for a maximum of 47 people.
2）菜な KITTE博多店 / Nana KITTE Hakata
"菜な KITTE博多店 / Nana KITTE Hakata", located a minute walk from Hakata Station, is a washoku and Izakaya that serves Kyoto cuisine, and a wide variety of sakes and shochu.
It is a comfortable space with a Japanese simple modern feel.
Local Guide’s Point of View
The restaurant incorporates seasonal ingredients that reflect the four seasons of Japan and features beautiful washoku that make you want to take pictures.
They have a luxurious course menu, and the all-you-can-drink course features a wide selection of famous sakes and shochu such as dassai and hiroki from Fukushima.
Popular Dishes
1. Assorted 5 kinds of Side Dishes
Kyoto home-style cuisine is served in Hakata, Kyushu, with three to five of your choice from a selection of 10 dishes.
In early winter, they use seasonal ingredients such as ankimo, oysters, Ezo-shika deer, and Horikawa burdock root.
2. Daisen-Chicken Grilled on a Stone
A stone-baked dish using “daisan“ brand local chicken.
The skin is baked crispy and savory.
The dish is served with beer, liqueur, wine, amazake, and seasonal fruit sakes that match the Japanese ingredients!
Facilities & Services
Private rooms with glass walls and a night view of Hakata Station.
The private room with a night view is limited to one room and can accommodate 12 to 14 persons.
Reservations are recommended.
Counter and table seating are also available.
3）博多 野が海 / Nogami Hakata
Located a 2-minute walk from Hakata Station, Izakaya “博多 野が海 / Nogami Hakata“ offers Kyushu cuisine that makes the most of washoku, seafood from the Genkai Sea, etc., and can be fully enjoyed with Kyushu sake and shochu.
Local Guide’s Point of View
Every morning, they purchases fish directly from the market and processes it on the same day to provide customers with the freshest seafood dishes.
All-you-can-drink 120-minute courses are available for different budgets.
Popular Dishes
1. Three Kinds of Raw Tuna Sashimi (raw/seared/toro)
This sashimi set includes raw Pacific bluefin tuna from Nagasaki Prefecture, which boasts one of the largest catches in Japan.
The fresh, live fish directly from Itoshima Fishing Port and fresh fish purchased every morning from Nagahama Market are fresh and uniquely delicious!
2. Yobuko Live squid Sashimi
Because it is directly shipped from Yobuko Fishing Port, the live squid is fresh and the color of the sashimi is clear and colorless.
Transparent squid is a proof of freshness!
Please enjoy the fresh sashimi processed on the spot by the cook.
Facilities & Services
Private rooms can accommodate from 2 to a maximum of 120 people with Japanese-style kotatsu.
The all-you-can-drink course includes beer, shochu, cocktails, and wine, and goes great with Kyushu cuisine such as Hakata motsunabe and cod roe!
4）山尾 博多駅前 / Yamao Hakata Station
“山尾 博多駅前 / Yamao Hakata Station'', a washoku izakaya located 3 minutes walk from Hakata Station.
All private rooms serving delicious seafood carefully selected from Kyushu.
Squid sashimi and fresh fish sashimi are very popular!
Local Guide’s Point of View
How about an all-you-can-drink course that allows you to enjoy three kinds of fresh Kyushu sashimi?
We have a wide selection of sake that go well with seafood dishes, as well as a variety of drinks such as shochu and sours.
Popular Dishes
1. Hakata Specialty: Sesame Mackerel
Hakata's specialty “Sesame Mackerel“ is a local dish of crunchy mackerel with homemade sesame sauce.
The chef uses fresh mackerel directly shipped from Nokita Fishing Port in Itoshima.
2. Fresh fish Roasted Sashimi
Try the seared sashimi!
For the best experience, enjoy this dish with a serving of sake.
The high heat of the sear locks in the flavors, creating an exquisite combination that truly maximizes the dish's taste.
Facilities & Services
Private rooms can accommodate from 2 to a maximum of 80 people.
In addition to sashimi such as live squid and live fish, there is also a wide variety of yakitori and seafood dishes, so please enjoy dinner in a relaxed atmosphere.
5）博多串工房 フタクチ / Hakata Kushikobo Futakuchi
"博多串工房 フタクチ / Hakata Kushikobo Futakuchi", a 3-minute walk from Hakata Station, is a popular Izakaya with spacious private rooms specializing in yakitori and skewered dishes.
Please spend a wonderful evening with sakes selected from all over Japan.
Local Guide’s Point of View
Enjoy skewered dishes made with fresh ingredients from Kyushu and fresh vegetables from Itoshima.
120-minute all-you-can-drink course includes sakes, shochu, draft beer, highballs, wine, fruit wine, and more.
Popular Dishes
1. Assorted Yakitori
Must-order exquisite yakitori dishes such as fresh morning chicken, vegetable roll skewers from Itoshima, and grilled seafood.
Enjoy meat dishes of wagyu, seafood and seasonal vegetables grilled on skewers.
2. Low Temperature Cooking: Soft Aged Beef Tongue Sashimi
Low-temperature cooking is a cooking method in which the temperature is maintained at a low temperature.
By cooking over a longer period of time, the moisture in the food is retained, and the meat becomes more tender.
Facilities & Services
Izakaya with private rooms where you can enjoy creative cuisine from all over Kyushu.
Private rooms with kotatsu can accommodate from 5 to a maximum of 66 people.
There are also partitioned table seats, sofa seats, and counter seats.
Features of Hakata's Gourmet
Japanese restaurants serving Kyushu cuisine offer seasonal ingredients and traditional Kyushu dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere.
Hakata’s Izakaya offers casual and lively dining, perfect for everyone to enjoy Fukuoka's famous dishes such as cod roe and motsunabe.
Written by Alyssa
From New Mexico, USA.
Lived in Japan for 2 years.
Instructional coordinator at a language school in Shibuya.
My hobbies are collecting natural stones and reading healing books.
I love Japanese red bean ice cream, shaved ice and anmitsu.
Here are my favorites list of restaurants and izakaya in Shibuya.