Kawataro Nakasu Honten is a japanese restaurant in Nakasu, Fukuoka.
Kawataro Nakasu runs Yobuko squid ikizukuri live from a tank, plus the Hakata goma-saba mackerel. River views, three floors of tatami rooms.
Signature dishes: Yobuko squid ikizukuri, Goma saba mackerel, Seasonal sashimi platter
Must order: Yobuko squid ikizukuri at market price, followed by the goma saba.
Tip: Lunch 11:30-14:00; dinner 17:00-23:00. Reserve through the operator's site.
Address: Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 810-0801, Japan
The Hakata Station branch of Yamanaka miso-motsunabe original, closer to the shinkansen than the Akasaka room, with the same recipe since 1984.
Signature: Miso motsunabe, Soy sauce motsunabe, Champon noodle finish
Order: Miso motsunabe for two, finished with champon noodles.
Tip: Reserve ahead for dinner; the room fills with business travellers most weeknights.
Hanamidori at Hakata Station sits in JR Hakata City, within walking distance of the shinkansen gate. Same kitchen as Imaizumi flagship, faster turnover.
Signature: Mizutaki chicken hotpot, Yakitori starter platter, Zosui rice porridge
Order: Mizutaki course with the rice-porridge zosui finish.
Tip: Reserve through Savor Japan; weekday lunches are easier than weekend dinners.
Hachibei's Shoninbashi-dori branch is the original yakitori counter that grew into a Tokyo chain. Hardwood charcoal, long counter, packed every night.
Signature: Charcoal-grilled chicken skewers, Tsukune meatball, Daikon salad
Order: Omakase yakitori platter plus the daikon salad.
Tip: Reserve through Tabelog or the operator's site. Walk-ins fill the counter from 18:00.
Ichiran's Canal City branch runs the silent solo-booth tonkotsu with the customisable spicy red sauce, the booth-and-slip format Ichiran codified.
Signature: Solo-booth tonkotsu ramen, Signature spicy red sauce, Kaedama refill
Order: Classic tonkotsu with red sauce at level two, plus kaedama refill.
Tip: Open 24 hours. Vending-machine ticketing in English; pick firmness and richness on the slip.
Hide-Chan first generation runs the Ramen Stadium counter on the fifth floor of Canal City. A lighter Hakata tonkotsu, the late-night drinking close.
Signature: Hakata tonkotsu ramen, Spicy karaka-men, Chashu rice bowl
Order: Standard tonkotsu with kaedama, then karaka-men for the spicy version.
Tip: Open with the Ramen Stadium, 11:00-23:00. Vending-machine tickets in English.
Ebisuya's flat Hakata-style udon won the 2014 Japan Udon Championship runner-up. The Kalbi Bukkake bowl with chewy noodles and a Mihoran egg is the signature.
Signature: Kalbi bukkake udon, Hakata-style flat noodles, Burdock tempura side
Order: Kalbi bukkake udon at 780 yen, raw egg on top.
Tip: Open 11:10-18:00, closed Wednesdays. Lunch queues clear by 13:30.
