Japanese¥¥¥¥yakuin
Toriden's Yakuin branch is quieter than the Hakata flagship and runs the same six-hour chicken broth. Tatami rooms upstairs, counter on the ground floor.
Signature: Mizutaki six-hour chicken broth, Goma saba mackerel, Chicken zosui finish
Order: Mizutaki TENJIN course at 6,600 yen per person.
Tip: Reserve through TableCheck; weekday dinners are easier than Saturday nights.
Japanese Kaiseki¥¥¥¥akasaka
Yuzuru Takebayashi's Akasaka kaiseki counter in Fukuoka has run since 1993 and held a Michelin star in the 2014 and 2019 Kyushu special editions.
Signature: Seasonal kaiseki course, Hamo pike conger summer course, Fugu winter course
Order: The seasonal multi-course kaiseki built around whatever the Genkai Sea morning catch delivered.
Tip: Akasaka Station is eight minutes on foot. Counter and two private rooms; reserve a week ahead minimum.
Japanese Sushi¥¥¥¥nakasu
Daigo Sakai runs the most-decorated edomae sushi counter in Fukuoka. Three Michelin stars in the 2019 Kyushu special edition, after holding one star in 2014.
Signature: Edomae omakase nigiri, Aged Genkai tuna, Seasonal appetisers from the Kyushu coast
Order: Whatever Sakai-san shapes on the night, with the aged tuna midway through.
Tip: Reserve through Pocket Concierge two to three months ahead. Cancellations are charged.
Japanese¥¥¥akasaka
Yamanaka invented miso motsunabe in 1984 and codified the Hakata offal hotpot. The Akasaka branch is the easiest of three to reach in central Fukuoka.
Signature: Miso motsunabe, Soy sauce motsunabe, Shabu-shabu motsunabe
Order: Miso motsunabe for two, finished with the champon noodle round.
Tip: Reserve a day ahead for dinner. Closes between 14:30 and 17:00 for the afternoon break.
Japanese¥¥¥imaizumi
Rakutenchi Tenjin flagship: three floors, 240 horigotatsu seats, the largest motsunabe room in Kyushu. Soy-sauce base, mountain of garlic chives.
Signature: Soy-sauce motsunabe, All-you-can-eat champon finish, Garlic-chive mound
Order: Puripuri motsu daimanzoku course with all-you-can-eat champon noodles.
Tip: Open daily 17:00-24:00. Reserve through the operator's site or by phone; English service is patchy.
Japanese¥¥¥¥imaizumi
Mizutaki built from the Hanamidori chicken brand, raised on seaweed and herb feed in northern Kyushu and simmered six hours into a milky-white broth.
Signature: Hanamidori chicken mizutaki, Yakitori starters, Zosui rice porridge finish
Order: Mizutaki course with the zosui rice-porridge close. Add the yakitori starter platter.
Tip: Lunch weekends and holidays only. Dinner 17:00-23:00 weekdays; reserve a day ahead.