I revisited the restaurant on a weekday off. I took a train to Kokura because I wanted to revisit a restaurant for lunch. It's a famous eel restaurant that has been around since the Showa era and has been selected as one of the top 100 restaurants on Tabelog. I had tried their steamed eel before, but this time I wanted to try their eel rice bowl. They have a unique grilling method called "konashi," so I was looking forward to it. I didn't have any work in Kitakyushu this year, so it took me a while to revisit. With the increasing number of foreign tourists, the line at this restaurant is also getting longer, so I thought I should go now while I still can. It's been about 2 and a half years since my last visit. I walked from the station to the restaurant. I arrived at the restaurant around 13:05. There wasn't a line outside, so I entered the restaurant feeling relieved. However, there were people waiting inside the restaurant. I wrote down my name and the number of people at the entrance and waited. After about 5 minutes, I was called and seated. The restaurant had many customers at the table seats. There also seemed to be tatami rooms on the second floor. I was seated at an available table and checked the menu. Since I don't have many opportunities to visit, I ordered the eel rice bowl with pickled plums. The staff told me that they could give me extra rice, so I asked for it. I waited for my order to arrive. Most of the customers seemed to be elderly. I didn't see any foreign visitors. My order arrived in about 5 minutes. It was incredibly fast. I took a bite of the eel rice bowl. It was delicious. The outside was crispy, and the inside was juicy and tender. They seemed to use the highest quality eel. The sauce was slightly sweet and relatively light. They have been using carefully selected, additive-free seasonings for the sauce since the restaurant was founded. The eel was grilled at high temperatures for a long time using the "konashi" method, so the sauce had soaked into the eel just right. The rice also seemed to be of high quality. It was a good decision to get extra rice. The eel liver was light and flavorful, and the pickles had just the right amount of saltiness. I ate eagerly and finished it in no time. The eel rice bowl grilled with "konashi" is my favorite among all the eel dishes I've had in Kyushu. I should have revisited sooner. I think I'll order the eel rice bowl again next time I visit. This time, it cost 5,060 yen. It was over 5,000 yen, but I think it was worth every penny. I paid with Rakuten Pay. They seem to accept various cashless payments. It was delicious. I will come back again.

Alicia's Food Log: It had been a few years since I last visited Inaka-an, and it was my birthday, so I decided to come here. There were people waiting near the entrance, but when I mentioned that I was fine with sitting in a private room, they immediately showed me to my seat. I arrived at 6:30 PM, and there were only two groups on the second floor. I started with the dish I had been craving, the unagi roll. Then I had the grilled liver and the steamed eel. The unagi in the roll was generously packed and satisfying. The steamed eel was just like how Inaka-an always serves it - fluffy, fragrant, and piping hot. I finished it in no time after sprinkling fragrant sansho pepper on top. When will be the next time I visit? I left the restaurant thinking about that.

For my first meal in Kitakyushu, I visited this highly praised restaurant, Matsuya, known as one of the top restaurants in the area! I ordered the eel rice bowl for 2980 yen and was seated promptly as it was past 2:30 pm. Despite the late hour, more customers continued to arrive, showing the popularity of the place. The atmosphere inside was calm and relaxing, perfect for enjoying the eel dish. The eel was said to be wild-caught, which justified the higher price, and I found that the skin was thick and had a nice elasticity to it. The rice had a unique aroma, possibly due to a different cooking method than the usual rice cooker. It might be an acquired taste for some, but I personally enjoyed it. Eel dishes can vary in sweetness and spiciness depending on the region, so it's a matter of personal preference. Overall, it was delicious, and the experience added a nice memory to my trip!

Day 2 of the trip to Hakata. I remembered a shop that was introduced on YouTube's "Terumon Jimon's Annoying Channel" that was located in Kyushu, so I decided to go there. I took the Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Kokura Station. It was raining on this day. It was about 20 minutes until the store opened. I bought some bread at "Shiroya Bakery Kokura Main Store" after tasting a bit because I was hungry. I visited on Tuesday at 10:52. The store was already crowded with people signing in. There were couples in their 40s to 60s, solo customers, and foreigners. There were about 7-8 groups in total. After signing in, I had to wait outside because the entrance area was full. The store opened at 11:00, and we were guided in one by one. The store was spacious, and I was able to enter quickly. I originally planned to eat a normal eel bowl, but they had received natural eel that day. The price was almost double, so I was quite hesitant. In the end, I decided to go for it since I was already there. I ordered the "Natural Eel Grilled Eel Course (Bamboo)" for 11,000 yen (including tax). The natural eel that day was from Onga, Fukuoka Prefecture. The marinated roe, pickled eel, grilled liver, grilled white eel, grilled eel, rice, soup, and fruit were included in the course. The marinated roe, pickled eel, and grilled liver arrived in about 10 minutes. The marinated roe was simple and delicious in a small amount. The pickled eel was refreshing with vinegar. The eel was moderately fatty and the meat was plump. I was looking forward to the grilled white eel and grilled eel that would come next. The grilled liver had a firm texture and a strong flavor. I was already quite satisfied up to this point. The grilled white eel arrived in about 8 minutes. It had been a while since I had grilled white eel. The wasabi was not too strong. I could taste the true flavor of the eel. The fat was delicious, and the meat was plump. The grilled eel, rice, and soup arrived 7 minutes later. The rice was refillable. The grilled eel was larger than I had expected with fine cuts on the surface. The skin was crispy and fragrant. The surface of the meat was grilled to perfection. The inside was fluffy. The texture of the skin and the depth of flavor that developed as I chewed were delightful. The grilled eel had an added richness from the sauce compared to the grilled white eel, and it had even more depth of flavor. Both were delicious. After finishing the grilled eel, I took a short break. Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference between natural eel and farmed eel. But the eel I ate that day was really delicious! The eel was more substantial than I had expected, and I finished without getting a rice refill. Finally, I asked the staff for dessert. I had grape and grapefruit jelly that day. I quickly finished it. It was my first time eating natural eel, and it was delicious! It was a very memorable experience. Thank you for the meal.

I attended a social gathering and enjoyed a delicious eel meal. Although I had already eaten a pork cutlet rice bowl for lunch and wasn't very hungry, I had a slight regret. The appetizers were okay, but the grilled liver was delicious! It tasted even better with some sansho pepper sprinkled on top. The eel rolls were also delicious. The grilled eel and eel rice bowl were absolutely amazing. I had chosen steamed eel last time, but I think I prefer grilled eel. The crispy texture, not too sweet sauce, sansho pepper, and rice made a fantastic quartet. Thank you for the meal! I will definitely come back. I didn't realize you could drink alcohol at an eel restaurant - how interesting!笑.

Annoyingly, I started with a small bottle of beer. The eel bowl (bamboo) had about half an eel. The eel and rice were both piping hot, creating a wonderful aroma in my mouth. The eel had a crispy texture and was cooked perfectly. The attention to detail and teamwork of the staff was evident in the quality of the dish. I am grateful for the experience and look forward to visiting again. Next time, I will try the eel on rice with pickled plum!

On this day, I had a business trip to Fukuoka. The meeting was postponed by a day, so I arrived in Fukuoka a day early, which actually made me happy because I had been doing day trips a lot recently. I arrived at Hakata Station a little before noon, and I had some time to spare before checking into the hotel, so I decided to take a bullet train ride to a place I normally wouldn't have time to visit - Kokura Station! I had been eyeing Kitchen Ban, which was recently selected as one of the top 100 Western-style restaurants in 2023, so I thought I would give it a try. As soon as I got on the bullet train, I checked to make sure it wasn't their regular closing day... and it wasn't. But, to my surprise, I found out that the restaurant had suffered flood damage due to recent rain, and they were unable to open for business... What a shame. Hopefully, things will get back to normal soon. Now, what should I eat in Kokura? Oh, I remember! I had seen Terakado Jimon introduce Unagicho on his show, so I decided to have eel there! It only took about 20 minutes from Hakata Station to Kokura Station. I arrived at Kokura Station and walked to the restaurant, which took about 5 minutes. Unagicho Kokura Main Store! I arrived at the restaurant right at 12 o'clock. First, I went in, signed the guestbook at the counter, and then waited outside for a while. It was so hot, it really felt like summer. After about 10 minutes of waiting, I was seated in the waiting area inside the restaurant. And after another 5 minutes, I was led to a tatami room on the second floor. I looked at the menu and found out that during the summer period from 7/1 to 8/31, they don't offer courses, so I ordered the following: - Uzaku (cucumber and long yam) for ¥770 - Grilled eel liver for ¥550 - Eel rice bowl with pickled plum for ¥4,600 I always thought that the highest rank was "Matsu, Take, Ume" (Pine, Bamboo, Plum), but here it seems like "Ume" (Plum) is the highest rank... a mystery. The uzaku arrived quickly, and it was refreshing with a nice texture from the cucumber and long yam. The acidity was mild. After about 5 minutes, the grilled eel liver arrived. It wasn't really to my liking. And after another 5 minutes, the eel rice bowl arrived!... But wait, why can I see white rice at the top? Shouldn't the eel cover it? I felt like the eel was a bit too small for the bowl... Do you understand what I mean? The eel has a gelatinous layer between the skin and the flesh, which can affect the texture and smell, so it's important to cook it properly by removing the excess fat and cooking it slowly. Here at Unagicho, they use a gold skewer to pierce the eel and pound it while grilling to remove the excess fat and slowly cook it through. They call this "letting the eel eat the fire." Maybe they grill it longer than usual, causing the eel to shrink? I'll try to stay positive about it. Anyway, I started eating and the eel was well grilled, with a crispy skin and a nice smoky flavor. The sauce was also well balanced, not too sweet, which I really liked. I got so absorbed in eating that I finished it in no time. It was really delicious! The restaurant was constantly busy with customers coming in, so it seems like they are doing very well. I would love to visit again if I have the chance. Thank you for the meal!

It's hot and to prevent summer fatigue, I decided to go to this popular eel restaurant listed on Tabelog. I happened to be on a business trip to Kokura and felt like eating eel, so I went there. I have been to Inaka-an in Kokura before, so I wonder if they are related somehow? Eel steamed in a bamboo steamer is famous in Kyushu, but I wanted to eat regular grilled eel, so I ordered an eel bowl. It was crispy and delicious!! The eel really hit the spot for my tired body. My summer fatigue disappeared!! Thank you for the delicious meal ♪

I went around 12:30 on Sunday! There was a line, but we were seated in about 15 minutes. The outside was crispy and the inside was fluffy and very delicious!! It was a hot day, so the eel was really energizing and tasty!

I visited around 18:30 on a weekday and was able to enter without waiting. The steamed seiro bamboo was 2,750 yen, the udon noodles were 770 yen, and the rolled sushi for 2-3 people was 1,045 yen. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very nice. I was seated on the second floor in a room with tatami mats and tables with chairs, which was perfect for a relaxing meal. The taste was excellent and the beer paired really well with the food. Sake might have been a good choice too. For adult men, the portion of bamboo might be a bit small. Thank you for the meal.

One of the restaurants that always comes up when asking the people of Kitakyushu for a delicious place in Kokura is this one. It's known for its gourmet food and is highly recommended by Terumoto Jimon. I've been wanting to go there for a while. Today is the midsummer day of the ox, so I wanted to eat eel! Despite the sweltering heat, I visited the restaurant. There was a line outside the restaurant, showing its popularity. While waiting in line, I was deciding what to order, and I was torn between the steamed eel and the eel rice bowl, but this time I chose the steamed eel. After about a 10-minute wait, it arrived. I ordered a two-tiered steamed eel, so it was quite a generous portion. When I opened the lid, steam was still rising, and it looked appetizing. The eel was light and fluffy. And it was still piping hot. It tastes even better with a sprinkle of sansho pepper. Because it was a two-tiered dish, there was eel hidden inside the rice as well. It felt like a good deal. The steamed eel was delicious, but it made me crave the crispy grilled eel even more. Next time, I want to visit for a meal centered around grilled eel and sake. I also want to try the wild eel. Thank you for the meal. I will visit again!

Unagi Hyakumeiten 2022 Ranking: 72nd out of 100 nationwide. Overall rating on Tabelog: 3.68. Visit date: July 30, 2023, Sunday at 11:00. Ordered items: - Bamboo Steamed Eel for 2,750 yen - Liver Sashimi, Pickles - Eel Rice Bowl for 4,180 yen - Liver Sashimi, Pickles - Grilled Eel for 3,190 yen - Liver Grilled for 605 yen x 2. It was the midsummer day of the Ox! I didn't specifically plan for this, but due to my travel schedule, I visited this restaurant which was selected as one of the top 100 eel restaurants in Japan. I arrived an hour before the opening time, thinking it would be okay, but there was already a long line forming. I was surprised by the chaos outside the restaurant with a huge crowd waiting. Luckily, I managed to get in during the first round of seating. The grilled eel had a crispy skin and a rich flavor, while the steamed eel was a local specialty but didn't quite hit the mark for me. Overall, the experience was mixed, and I felt that the local specialty dishes may not appeal to everyone.

My mother and I went to a rural restaurant. Even though I am a local, I had never been there before, but my mother had been many times. We went on a Saturday near the day of the Ox in midsummer, prepared to wait, but we were seated in the restaurant within an hour. We ordered a steaming hot bamboo steamer with just the right amount of eel for us to enjoy. The eel was tender and juicy, with a flavorful sauce, and the soup and pickles were also delicious. The eel did not overpower the other flavors, and the meal was elegant and refreshing. Eating eel on such a hot day made me feel very energetic!

I visited Inaka-an. I'm a bit hungover so I'm here to recharge ☆ I didn't have to wait because I came after opening on a weekday. I want to eat a lot, but I chose the pine. And the steamed dish is said to be hot until the end, so I'll try it in winter (lol). The eel is delicious and light ☆ There are some small bones, but it's okay. It might be just the right amount for women. You can have more or less rice. Thank you for the meal ☆

I arrived at around 1 pm. Since it was a weekday, I was able to enter the restaurant smoothly without having to wait in line. I ordered the grilled eel (with plum) and it was served promptly. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very traditional and calming. The eel was cooked perfectly, with a wonderful flavor and texture. If you are looking for a refined eel dish, I highly recommend coming here.

To survive this summer, eel!!! So, I went to Inaka-an on a holiday at the opening time of 11:00, but I had to wait until 12:00 to get a seat in the restaurant. I recommend going with plenty of time. Eel rice bowl is definitely delicious! I recharged my stamina. #fukuoka #kitakyushu #Kokura Kita-ku #Kitakyushu Gourmet #Kokura Kita-ku Gourmet #Eel #Unagi #Eel rice bowl #Unagi rice bowl #Passion Continent #Eel cuisine #Shochikubai #Inaka-an Eel Cuisine Main Store #Inaka-an #Inaka-an Kokura Main Store #Inaka-an's Eel

I had lunch during the company's training trip. I ordered the steamed seiro course with pine. I'm not a big fan of eel, but the small eel dish was incredibly delicious. I also had beer and was very satisfied. It's a bit pricey, so I hope to come back again for another company-related event.

I received an eel and plum dish for 5,060 yen. The taste divided opinions because it was clear that the restaurant put a lot of effort into it. The eel had less fat and was overall on the firmer side. Comparing it to chain restaurants like beef bowl places would be disrespectful, but I can see how it might be hard to appreciate if you're used to that kind of taste. The skin was crispy, which is great for those who like protein, but the texture might not be for everyone. It was a shame that the air conditioning made the place smell musty.

Visited a super famous restaurant recommended by a colleague from work for the first time. Had the steamed seiro and eel roll recommended by my colleague. The eel was grilled thoroughly, so even when steamed, it had a strong smoky flavor. Despite heavy rain on a weekday, the place was packed. The quality is top-notch, so it's no wonder it's so crowded. I'm glad I finally got to visit this place.

I went there for the first time! I arrived before 2pm and there was still a line. Every dish that came out was incredibly delicious, I was impressed. I used to not like eating eel, but truly delicious eel dishes always leave me amazed. I want to go back again!

Today, I had lunch with a close friend at a familiar restaurant in Kokura, as we always do when we come here. We were hoping for some natural eel today, but unfortunately it wasn't available, which was a bit disappointing. However, we didn't let that get us down and ordered some non-alcoholic drinks, grilled liver skewers, eel rolls, and spicy cod roe. We also ordered an eel rice bowl with plum in a regular size. It was delicious - crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Ah, I am satisfied. Thank you for the meal!