Welcome to the third chapter of Fukuoka JET Spotlight! This time, we asked our JETs about their favourite restaurants from around the prefecture. Check them out!
Darien, SHS ALT
Q: What is the name and location of the restaurant you recommend?
The restaurant is called Hakata Fish Man (博多炉端 魚男) and it’s located in Imaizumi, Chuo Ward, about a 6 minutes’ walk from Yakuin Station or 8 minutes from Nishitetsu Tenjin Station. It has excellent service staff, great decor, and wonderful taste that’s reasonably popular. It’s quite easy to find and there’s parking closeby if you’re travelling by car.
Q: What kind of food do they sell, and what caught your eye about their menu?
They primarily sell seafood dishes prepared in a host of different ways, but they also serve a number of other meals, from karaage to chicken nanban to yakisoba, all of which come in wonderfully filling set meals. This is a very simplistic explanation of the menu (which is entirely in Japanese), but I promise that there’s a fair amount of variety!
That also have a sweets menu that isn’t extensive, but has what I’d call the classics (tiramisu, matcha ice cream, vanilla ice cream). The drink menu isn’t extensive, but the beverages are absolutely mixed with a deft hand.
Q: What’s their vibe?
The atmosphere is very relaxed as it’s styled like an izakaya, but with a rustic yet sophisticated vibe. Inside you’ll find most surfaces are covered in or made from beautiful wood, with brass light fixtures, mini spotlights, as well as paper lanters adorning the ceiling (I’m not a fan of recessed lighting, so I loved this immensely).
Q: What have you tried that you really loved?
I’ll eat anything, but I will admit that I love the basics, and I absolutely love their chicken nanban and sesame prawn set meal, with a side of mentaiko (I love mentaiko!), with an ice cold glass of Asahi Super Dry.
Q: What makes you want to go back?
The delicious food aside, I’m always drawn to establishments that have a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The friendly and helpful staff plus the comfortably rustic decor make it a wonderful experience, and it’s a place where friends can meet, eat, drink, and have a fantastic time together.