When I visited Kurume, I went to a restaurant. I ordered 2 pieces of pork belly, 1 piece of chicken, 1 piece of duck, 1 piece of skin, 1 piece of meatball, and 2 glasses of draft beer. It was my first stop, so I think that's all I ordered. I might have ordered a little more, but I don't remember because I got drunk later. The bill was around 1,800 yen. It was super cheap and delicious! I don't usually like pork belly because of the fatty parts, but the pork belly here was delicious without any unpleasant smell! I want to come back again.

Representative restaurant in Kurume for yakitori. Skewers are the main focus, with a good selection of side dishes. The liver in the first photo is cooked with a sauce that sets it apart from other places. It's always crowded and hard to get a seat without a reservation. There are many yakitori restaurants in Kurume, but Hiyoshimaru stands out. I love Hiyoshi-cho.

Kurume Shikogoshu Tour ended with yakitori! There was another place I was interested in, but it was fully booked and couldn't make a reservation. So, we decided to try this place instead, and we were able to make a reservation easily. We sat in a spacious tatami room near the entrance, and even though there were 4 of us, we had plenty of space at the table. We each ordered as much yakitori as we wanted, and the visual presentation of the dishes was very appealing! The skewers were mostly around 150 yen each, which was quite reasonable. And they tasted delicious too! The cost performance was great, which is not easy to find in Fukuoka city. The menu mainly consisted of classic items, which was reassuring. While I also enjoy rare cuts or high-end yakitori, there's something comforting about the traditional red lantern yakitori. I originally wanted to finish the night with Kurume ramen, but my stomach couldn't handle it. If I have another chance to drink in Kurume, I would like to finish with ramen next time. Thank you for the meal.

Kurume Hashigo Tour, 5th stop was a yakitori restaurant. A friend had made a reservation for us at this great-looking place! We were shown to a tatami room, but there were also counter seats and apparently seats on the second floor. We each ordered the skewers we wanted like pork belly, chicken skin, wiener, gizzard, and liver, all priced at 120 yen per skewer, which was very reasonable. The perfectly grilled skewers were so appetizing! The skewers were large and satisfying to eat. A must-visit spot in Kurume!! It was amazing~ Thank you for the meal!

I visited "Taishu Yakitori Hiyoshimaru" in Kurume. First, I tried the pork belly! It had a perfect amount of salt and a satisfying size. It was delicious. I also tried chicken skin, gizzards, and various other skewers, all of which had a strong and delicious flavor. Thanks to that, the alcohol went down smoothly and I was very satisfied. The staff were friendly and I had a great time. I will visit again.

Yakitori Hiyoshimaru - 2nd visit in January of Reiwa 4. A stable, long-established yakitori restaurant where the flames are hot. This time, I considered trying the neighboring restaurant, but decided on this one again. Why is it so affordable? You can order a lot here. When it comes to Kurume, it's all about yakitori culture. The staff are friendly, even the young boys are earnest and likeable. (I felt sorry for them when a rude old man scolded them for something they didn't order). I want to applaud their polite "excuse me." I had eaten too much for lunch, so I couldn't order up to 20 items. I need to save some space for dinner next time. Let's make sure to remember that.

Kurume specialty "Kurume Yakitori" is a popular dish in "Hiyoshi Maru," a renowned restaurant in Kurume. Kurume is known as the town of Yakitori, with the highest number of Yakitori restaurants per 10,000 people in Japan. When you enter the restaurant, you are served cabbage as an appetizer, similar to a Kushikatsu restaurant in Osaka. The cabbage is served to prevent the sauce from soaking into the skewers, and it is enjoyed with homemade ponzu sauce, which has a light and refreshing taste. The menu also includes various skewers besides chicken, such as pork belly and chicken skin. The pork belly was well-cooked and seasoned lightly, while the chicken skin was moist rather than crispy. The chicken skewers were slightly tough, but the "Darm" (pork intestine) skewer was a unique and delicious dish. The "Tsukune" (chicken meatball) was juicy and flavorful, and the "Kushi Ton Ashi" (pork feet) had a perfect balance of crispy skin and tender meat. The "Ume Shiso Sasami" (chicken tenderloin with plum and shiso) was a standard dish but still enjoyable. Overall, the food was delicious, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the prices were very reasonable. It was a great experience to casually enjoy Yakitori at this restaurant, and I hope it continues to thrive for a long time.

After all, when it comes to Kurume, it's all about yakitori, right? So, I searched on Tabelog and made a reservation here. The theme of this Kurume patrol is "B-class gourmet bar hopping". I'm not sure why Kurume is known for yakitori, but I often hear about it. I sat at the counter, ordered a sweet potato shochu highball, and filled out an order form for the skewers. There are quite a few options, but when it comes to Kurume, it has to be "daruma". I ordered the pork intestine and white meat skewers. They were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, which was really good. The daruma skewers here were quite delicious. I ordered about 8 skewers in total and finished them all. It reminded me of the simple yakitori I used to eat as a child in the Showa era.

Overall, it's cheap but delicious! Date: November 3, 2022 (Thursday) at 5:30 pm. I visited alone with a reservation made the day before. First visit. Ordered: Pork belly for 120 yen, Beef skirt steak with sauce for 200 yen, Darm (intestine) for 170 yen, Chicken skin with sauce for 120 yen. Payment: Cash only. The cabbage with vinegar and soy sauce was delicious! The pork belly had a unique texture, chewy like gummy candy with a good salty taste. Fantastic! The Darm was a first for me, with a flavor similar to intestines. 4 stars. The pork offal was tender and tasty. The chicken skin and skirt steak would have been better with a salty sauce instead of sweet. 3.5 stars. Apology: I'm sorry for ordering such small portions. Next time I visit Kurume, I will definitely come back here! Cost performance: 4.5 stars. The restaurant has counter seats and raised seating, and it was full at 5:30 pm. I'm glad I made a reservation yesterday. There were several phone orders for takeout. Found this place through a search on Tabelog while staying at Esprit near Nishitetsu Kurume Station for a memorial service. Kurume is a gourmet paradise! Especially noteworthy is that it's cheap and delicious. The best!

When it comes to Kurume, I vaguely remember that it had the highest density of yakitori restaurants in Japan. In any case, there are many yakitori restaurants. I have been to Kurume several times, but I have never tried yakitori because I thought, "You can eat yakitori in Tokyo anyway." This time, I decided to try it for the first time. I made a reservation for 7:00 PM, but when I arrived, the entrance of the restaurant had a sign that said "Currently full." I started with a bottle of beer. In Kurume, raw cabbage is served as an appetizer. Darmu, which is popular in Kurume, is similar to pork jowl in Tokyo. I ordered a few skewers of darmu, chicken breast, liver, and sagari. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very casual and I like that type. It feels like it could be in a student town. The prices are also cheap. However, the taste was not as good as I expected. I should have just eaten yakitori in Tokyo.

When it comes to Kurume, it's all about yakitori. The crispy grilling is excellent, from chicken skin to tsukune, gizzard, tebasaki, all were outstanding. And the prices are also cheap. They had great COVID-19 prevention measures in place with acrylic sheets and more, so we could enjoy safely. Just so you know, we went in at 18:15 without a reservation and it was okay.

I visited Yoshipro, a yakitori restaurant in Kurume City. I have been going to yakitori restaurants almost every week recently, but today I went to the very popular Yoshipro, where I haven't been in a while. Luckily, it wasn't too crowded, so I was able to get in without a reservation. The prices are really cheap here, and the portions are large. I was very satisfied. The pork belly skewers were only 110 yen each and they were quite big. Just a few skewers and I was full. The traditional skewers were cooked well and had a good flavor. While it may not be the most amazing taste, it reminded me of what yakitori is all about. Yakitori goes best with beer. It was the best. Thank you for the meal.

The legend of Kurume, always crowded every day. Specializing in skewers with a variety of menu options. Everything skewered is yakitori. Anyone is welcome. Consistent greatness. The sight of grilling in large quantities is like a battle. Intensity of eating at the counter. Excitement of eating at the table. Either option is fine. A beloved spot in Kurume that has been cherished for a long time.

In Kurume, the third stop on our drinking tour was "Hiyoshi Maru," where I was surprised to see that the yakitori counter was divided into two levels - a pathway and the grilling area. Once we placed our order, the ingredients were placed on a tray and handed to the grill master to be cooked in order. I enjoyed liver, skin, chicken, intestines, and pork trotter skewers (*´∀｀*)

The popular grilled chicken skin dish, "guruguru torikawa," is mainly available at "Kawaya," and for convenient takeout, "Torikawa Daimin" at Hakata Station is also good, but if you want to eat and drink to your heart's content without worrying about the bill or time, the recommended place is a yakitori restaurant in Kurume. Among them, the one I regularly visit is "Hiyoshimaru." It is a popular restaurant where it can be difficult to get a reservation even on weekdays, not just on weekends. Due to the COVID-19 situation, their business hours have been adjusted to start at 4 pm. Despite the ban on alcohol sales, loyal customers continue to gather. On this day, I made a reservation for 5 pm. The phone for takeout orders kept ringing constantly, and by 5 pm, they informed that the fastest pick-up time would be 8:30 pm. The grillers were working diligently to cook a large number of skewers, but each skewer was carefully grilled, as always. For our group of five, we were served three plates of complimentary cabbage. Despite the current high prices for cabbage, which is around 300 yen per head everywhere, it was offered for free with unlimited refills. When they noticed an empty plate, they would ask with a smile, "Would you like a refill?" Their excellent service spirit remains unchanged. We had around 40 skewers and a few side dishes, and the total bill was a flat rate of 6,000 yen. Even without alcohol, it's a steal at 1,200 yen per person. It's a tough time for all restaurants, but their dedication is truly admirable. While all the dishes are worth trying, my personal top 3 recommendations are as follows: 1st place - Pork belly for 110 yen, 2nd place - Chicken skin for 110 yen, 3rd place - Beef skirt for 190 yen. Thank you for the delicious meal today!

"Hiyoshi Maru" in the bustling center of Kurume city, where many famous yakitori restaurants are crowded, is said to be extremely popular among locals. I had always hesitated to visit because of the strong impression that you can never get in without a reservation, but this time I decided to try my luck and arrived early right after the opening. To my surprise, they allowed me to enter within 90 minutes if I was okay with that. The open atmosphere with the grill right in front of the counter gives a nostalgic and authentic feel of a traditional yakitori place. The staff, despite being busy, were all very friendly and welcoming. I started with a Kirin Classic Lager in a bottle. The complimentary fresh cabbage with vinegar dressing, a local Kurume style, was a nice touch. For skewers, I went with the recommended "Daruma" from Kurume. The size and thickness of the cuts were impressive. The crispy surface with juicy inside, balanced with the charred smokiness and sweetness of the fat, had a delightful wildness to it. The saltiness was just right, but adding chili flakes made it even better. Next, I tried the crowd-favorite "Horumon Miso Stew," which had an enticing aroma and rich flavor. Sprinkling chili flakes made it a perfect match for more drinks. I then had the classic "Pork Belly" skewer, which oozed with juicy fat and paired perfectly with the smoky bitterness from the charcoal. Of course, more chili flakes enhanced the experience. For the last dish, I tried the local specialty roll skewer, the "Cheese Roll." The crispy texture of thinly sliced pork with the gooey cheese was a delightful combination. As for drinks, the only option for sake at "Hiyoshi Maru" seemed to be "Daiginjo," so I opted for Black Mist on the rocks. The 90 minutes flew by quickly. Despite the time limit, I wasn't rushed out as the next reservation hadn't arrived yet. I settled the bill appreciatively. The charm of "Hiyoshi Maru" lies not only in the affordable and delicious dishes but also in the friendly and attentive service of the staff, along with the traditional yakitori ambiance. Although the limited alcohol choices may be a drawback, the overall appeal of this place more than makes up for it. It's easy to see why it's so popular among locals. While it may be challenging to get in without a reservation, I would definitely love to revisit this excellent restaurant if given the chance.

I went to two other restaurants before this one, but they were both full and turned me away, which was disheartening. So I thought any place would do, I just wanted to drink. I noticed this restaurant and decided to go in. They served food and alcohol, thank you very much. The photos of the chicken skin, pork belly, and quail were lost... The pork intestine was delicious.

Kurume City is said to have the highest concentration of yakitori restaurants in Japan, and among them, one of the most popular is Hiyoshi Maru. In Kurume, yakitori has slightly different names, with intestines called "darm" and heart called "hertz." This is because Kurume is known as a city with a high number of doctors per capita, with a large population of medical professionals. Kurume University School of Medicine has a long history, and it seems that medical terms (similar to German) have become menu names for yakitori. I have tried several times before, but finally managed to visit this time. I tried pig trotters, pork belly, and skin, and everything was delicious. Moreover, with so many yakitori restaurants, the cost performance is great! This is a common trait in Fukuoka, where there are many affordable and delicious restaurants. I would love to visit again if I have the chance.

- Genre: Yakitori, Izakaya - Area: Hiyoshi-cho, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture - Access: 5 minutes by car from JR Nishitetsu Kurume Station - Parking: Not available (Coin parking nearby) - Credit card payment: Not available - Number of visits: First visit - Number of reviews: 1st review On this day, I casually visited "Hiyoshimaru" restaurant. - Exterior and Interior Kurume City is the only core city in Fukuoka Prefecture. This restaurant is located near the city's East Park or Kurume Ichiban-gai shopping street. The exterior has a casual atmosphere. The interior is similar. Upon entering, I was greeted and asked to sanitize my hands, which is expected in the current situation. The restaurant has a charming atmosphere with nostalgic music playing. It is also non-smoking. - Seating There are 10 counter seats and two separate tatami rooms, with a total seating capacity of about 40 people. I wonder if there is also a second floor? - Menu The yakitori menu includes traditional items like chicken liver, momo skewers, and shishamo. There are also speedy dishes, simmered dishes, croquettes, and fried items. I ordered the following: - Beef tendon simmered dish (360 yen): This was the first dish I ordered. It was delicious, cooked in a light broth rather than a heavy stew. The beef tendon was tender, and the daikon and konjac complemented it well. It was a flavorful dish that didn't venture into the territory of oden, making me want some mustard on the side. - Skewers: Since Kurume is known for yakitori, I had to try some. The skewers were large, well-cooked, affordable, and served quickly. I ordered pork belly, liver, chicken skin, tsukune (110 yen), pig trotters, and dorumu (150 yen). The dorumu, a symbol of Kurume-style yakitori, had a crispy exterior and a chewy texture inside. The liver was firm and had a classic, slightly tough texture. The sweet and savory sauce didn't feel too heavy. The pork belly was sweet and had a taste I hadn't had in a while. I particularly liked the pig trotters. - Strong Points A popular casual yakitori restaurant in Kurume. - Service The service was good. The staff were friendly and had lovely smiles, which is important even if the food is good. - Conclusion Today, I ventured to Kurume. While I am refraining from traveling across prefectures, I believe it's important to support struggling restaurants within the prefecture. It's great to find a gem like this on the first visit. I look forward to visiting again! Thank you for the meal!

※This is the content of a restaurant review from a visit in February 2020. After checking in to my hotel in Kurume and finishing my errands, I headed to a yakitori restaurant I wanted to try in the evening. When I arrived, I found out that they were quite busy with reservations. Luckily, they were able to squeeze me in under the condition that I leave by 7 pm. Phew... The friendly waiter explained the menu to me in detail. The restaurant had a nice old-fashioned atmosphere and felt like it was run by a family. I started with pork belly, chicken, and chicken skin skewers. The pork belly was delicious, a must-try in Kyushu. And of course, I couldn't miss trying the "darmu," which is chicken intestines, a unique texture that might be hit or miss for some people. A new discovery for me was the "pork foot skewer," where small pieces of pork foot were skewered. I ended up ordering more pork belly because it was so satisfying. Overall, I had a great experience.