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Wednesday, May 30, 2018
UNAGI TIME in FUKUOKA: YOSHIZUKA UNAGI

Have you ever tried eel? Unagi or freshwater eel is a delicacy that is usually present in Japanese restaurants. In FUKUOKA, there's a well known place that serves this as a specialty. YOSHIZUKA UNAGI is a michellin starred restaurant that has these treats.
Just along a river, a restaurant sits on a quiet part of town. Usually closed every Wednesday, YOSHIZUKA UNAGI is a go to when celebrating special occasions or even for an eel fix.

 I was able to visit them at around 8pm and the place was full. Thankfully, the line was quick and that there are separate floors for every functions. Regular customers would usually take their spot on the second floor. Others have reserved rooms just for them.

Thankfully, they have an English Menu so I was able to pick which dishes I wanted. You could actually choose different items off the menu but if you wanted to taste a lot it would be better to go for a bento box serving. Since I was alone, this made sense.

I went for the MAKUNOUCHI. It's (2,883 Yen at the time) a combination of a number of small dishes with a couple slices of EEL.

I first started off with their soup. To be honest, I thought that it was MISO soup. It wasn't. It's actually a clear broth soup with eel in it. Since it is an EEL specialty store, this was part of it.
The MAKUNOUCHI had two layers. The first had different side dishes including sweets. The bottom has the main course.
I was happy with the different small bites that came with the set.
There's some vegetables, seafood, and even deep fried pork.
I really thought I under ordered but looking back, I did just right. With the eel and the side dishes, I was definitely filled up. Speaking off, the eel was not overly sweet. Its meat was tender and perfectly cooked. Granted that some of the side dishes could have been better, people go here for the eel. So, I was happy with what I had.
Everything was perfect. I had a great time even if I was alone. I was able to munch and taste each individual flavors each part gave. The eel was just wonderful.
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If you're a large party, it would be better to make a reservation. Peak hours would always lead to a queue. Also, they are closed every Wednesday.

YOSHIZUKA UNAGI
Japan, 〒810-0801 Fukuoka Prefecture, 
Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Nakasu, ２丁目8−27


P.S.
I apologize for the image quality.
It seems that I was tipsy that night
and my shots weren't focused as much.
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Thursday, May 24, 2018
FIRST CABIN in FUKUOKA JAPAN: A Capsule Experience

 One of the first thing one should do when traveling is to look for a place to stay at. During my time at Fukuoka, I actually moved 3x. Yes, I went to 3 different places. One was an airbnb, another a capusle hotel, and the last was a decent 3 star hotel.
 I didn't really know what to expect but I went ahead and booked FIRST CABIN. It's a chain of capsule hotels that treat their "bunks" like you're in an airplane.
 I chose this place because it was quite near the different restaurants I wanted to visit. The fact that the building it's in is located quite near the train station and has a 24 hour DON QUIJOTE made it a no brainer.
 Even if it's not really my first time trying a Hostel like environment, it was my definite first in a capsule hotel. FIRST CABIN is located on the 8th floor and there are pretty much signs outside to note if they have vacancies or not. It's better to prebook online rather than heading over there with no plan as they usually get full.
 This is pretty ideal for solo travelers. The female section is different from the male one. So if you're looking for a place to spend with a friend of a different sex, I suggest you look for a hotel room instead. 
Since this is Japan, you're pretty much assured of the safety and also of the cleanliness of the place. 
They have a couple of room designations.One is the economy or the small version. This is perfect if you weren't able to catch that last train and needed a place to stay just for the night. They'll prepare towels and pajamas for you as well.
On the other hand, I went for the bigger room. Somewhat of a business class, this one has space for your luggage to put in. Plus, you have a table, and a bigger television.
Since this is all communal, you'll have access to their washroom as well. Everything was quite clean and well up to Japanese standards.
Of course, you'll have the whole toilet experience with their electronic throne.
Now in terms of showering, it may be a little embarrassing at first but you'll learn to just go with the flow. Usually, you'll sit at a small chair and soap and take a bath while seating down. Afterwards, you could go into the "pool" / onsen to relax. Yes, you will be butt naked. Remember to put the small towel only on your head and not in the water. If this is a bit weird for you, they have a couple of stalls for showering but it's not really covered. So just to give you a picture, once you enter the wash area, there would be places to put your stuff in. In the door, there's the sit down baths on the left. On the right would be the standing shower stalls. At the back of the room would be a pool for you to relax after a long day.
 It was quite an experience to go and have a communal bath. It's not really for me I guess but at least I tried it out. If you really want a bit of privacy go at an odd hour. Just outside the wash/shower area, there's also a single stall toilet on your left.
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FIRST CABIN was quite an experience. I hope you'll be able to give them a go.

FIRST CABIN HAKATA
8th floor
Japan, 〒810-0801 Fukuoka Prefecture, 
Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Nakasu, 3 Chome−7−24 gate's
+81 92-260-1852


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Tuesday, May 22, 2018
CHIKAE FUKUOKA: A Great Start To Eating in Fukuoka Japan

When in Japan, one of the best tips that I have ever learned would be to eat out during lunch. During this time, restaurants often offer set meals. Meaning to say, these are the more affordable versions of their offerings. It's a nice way to try out different dishes that are usually pricey in during dinner time.
When in Fukuoka, Japan, one restaurant that is a perfect example to visit would be CHIKAE FUKUOKA. This place can best introduce you to set meals. Be warned though, there would be lines. It's a bit of a walk from the train station too but it's worth it.
A good rule is to be at the restaurant at least 30 minutes before just to escape the crowd. If you arrive at opening, there's usually quite a number of guests waiting for their turn.
When I visited, I was quite lucky as my place of stay was quite near. More or less, it was a 20 minute leisure walk. I was really happy with the weather during that day so it was perfectly fine. I arrived around 10:30 and was lucky to be 3rd in line.
Once they opened, they usually ask you if you how many are you in your party. If you arrived at the right time, you'll be able to sit at the IKESU with fish cages right infront of you.
For lunch sets, there are a couple to choose from. Both are priced at only 1,500 yen so it's pretty decent. One has sashimi while the other has noodles.
Since I'm a rice lover, I went for the fresh seafood tray.
It had a number of components to complete the meal. First off would be the tempura. Deep fried and coated with perfection, it was good.
It also had a sweet fish dish that is quite similar to tanigue.
The miso soup was elevated to a different level because of the crabs.
Don't forget, FUKUOKA is known for their mentaiko. The orange-red condiment you see is basically that. People would usually mix it with pasta or even rice. I suggest you make good use of it since it's free.
It was quite an experience. The sushi plus the rice and the tempura made everything come together.
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By the time I got out, there was still a long line to get in. I guess that's why it's pretty popular.
Unfortunately, as of February 25, CHIKAE FUKUOKA has stopped doing special lunches. Tatami Rooms are open only through reservation Monday-Sundays 11:30-22:00. The Counter would be open 11:30-22:00 on Saturday, Sundays, and Holidays. For weekdays, it would be open 17:00-22:00.


CHIKAE FUKUOKA
2-2-17, Daimyo, Chuo-ku Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
http://chikae.co.jp/language/en/



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Thursday, May 17, 2018
TEMPURA NO HIRAO TENJIN: BEST TEMPURA IN FUKUOKA JAPAN

If there was one Japanese food that everyone should try, it should be tempura. Breaded meat, vegetable, or seafood is deep fried to perfection. That is how they do it in TEMPURA NO HIRAO TENJIN in Fukuoka, Japan.
One afternoon, I found myself walking around the Tenjin area looking for one magical place. I have researched that it's worth the walk around and getting lost. I read that this place serves delicious tempura at very affordable prices. 
Once I found the TOHO cinema building, I went in and on the ground floor, I saw a line forming up. There's a ticket machine outside to order and pay for your desired items. The meals comes with rice already so sometimes people would extra order rice. Don't worry as they see this, they would offer to refund the ticket. In my case, it was deliberate because more rice is needed when it comes to tempura.
After deciding and buying the tempura set that you prefer, you line up outside. Once seat is available inside, you are seated in a right to left. You could get your own water and tea at the back.
It may take sometime to get your food but it is so worth the wait. I went there twice and I think going on an off hour is definitely better as you get to a seat faster and you're more comfortable. You could also hang your bags under the counter because they have hooks. Furthermore, all the seats are in the counter. If you're a big group, it will definitely take awhile.
Once seated, look at what the locals do. There's an unlimited serving of side dishes. It could be bean sprouts, octopus, and even some radish.
Once everything is set, you get a chance to watch the masters at work. With incredible techniques, they cook each piece of meat with precision. It's quite nice too that you won't smell that rancid oil. Unlike other restaurants, here, they make sure it's fresh and not over used.
Once all of my tempura was cooked, I take a quick picture and forever remember it.
Aside from the usual liquid dipping sauce, they also offer some salt based once. Traditionally, tempura is partnered with sea salt or other flavored variants.
After one bite, I was tremendously happy. I really needed the extra cup of rice as it was definitely needed.
Believe me when I say, that you would definitely use this vendo machine inside to order for seconds.
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TEMPURA NO HIRAO TENJIN is currently closed because of building renovation. A different branch will open up in the same area soon. There are other branches in the Fukuoka area as well.


TEMPURA NO HIRAO TENJIN
2-6-27 Tenjin, Chuo-ku | Tenjin Toho
 Bldg.1F, Fukuoka 812-0853, Fukuoka Prefecture

**** EDIT: 2-23-2019 ** this location is no longer operational. They opened a couple more near this place though. Please visit  https://www.hirao-foods.net/en/restaurant.html to check their new locations. >>> THERE'S A NEWLY OPENED ONE IN ACROS which is near Tenjin.





Here's the menu to guide you when you visit.
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