Geric Plankton
Fukuoka is known for its famous dishes such as Mizutaki, motsunabe, and udon, as well as tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and tai chazuke. Another must-try dish is the sesame mackerel. I first learned about sesame mackerel about 10 years ago, and since then, every time I visit this place, I always seek out sesame mackerel. Traveling for me is like a rejuvenating spring for the spirit, as the famous Danish fairy tale writer Andersen once said. For me, traveling means exploring the unknown sources of food and scenery. Although I had checked out some promising restaurants in advance, deciding whether to have sesame mackerel for lunch was a dilemma. Fortunately, I chose eel steamed in a seiro for lunch, leaving room for sesame mackerel for dinner. However, with so many options to choose from, I spent a rainy afternoon in a dilemma trying to decide on a restaurant. The more choices there are, the more difficult it is to make a decision, the so-called "jam's law." There are so many options for mackerel dishes that I was actually having a hard time deciding. Moreover, even though I am familiar with the city, it is not my home base, so I felt a bit anxious as I headed towards Tenjin. Tenjin, Fukuoka's representative commercial area, with its elegant fashion buildings and bustling atmosphere, exudes a glamorous and sophisticated vibe, with lively young people strutting around. Walking south from Tenjin Minami Station towards Nakasu, the glamour and sophistication gradually turned into an excessive allure, as if every corner was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the night. After finding a restaurant to visit, unexpectedly, it was not open. However, with many choices in this area, I set out to find another restaurant, only to be disappointed by the dimly lit interior and the fact that it was fully booked. I tried to maintain composure and asked myself, "Is it okay not to have mackerel tonight?" If I chose to have something else, such as teppan gyoza or a regular izakaya, would I be able to proudly say that I had a good trip? A voice similar to Steve Jobs, questioning myself, echoed in my mind. I reached for my smartphone and tried my best to find a restaurant where I could have sesame mackerel. I realized that there was a restaurant nearby. I called them, but the phone kept ringing, possibly because it was still before opening hours. "This is Genshi," a cheerful female voice interrupted the long ringing tone. After confirming the opening hours and availability, I headed towards the restaurant with a sense of relief. The restaurant, located near the Naka River, stood at the back of a narrow road in a mixed-use building, making it difficult for outsiders to find. A neat blue noren curtain adorned with mackerel motifs was the sign. The restaurant was just opening, so there were no customers inside yet. In the open kitchen, the staff, with a somewhat stern atmosphere, were already standing by. As soon as I sat at the counter at the back, I hummed a tune and admired the beautiful appetizer while staring at the menu. Sesame mackerel is a dish that I have enjoyed many times before. Therefore, encountering a variety of mackerel dishes is only natural. The door at the entrance opened rapidly, and a group of guests entered one after another. The lively Fukuoka dialect echoed in the restaurant. The number of people and the loud voices made me feel a bit rushed, so I hastened my order. I decided to wait eagerly for the mackerel with a cold beer and the beautiful appetizer. The first dish that appeared was the "Smoked Mackerel and Cheese Assortment" (800 yen). The large pieces of mackerel were beautifully smoked and paired with cheese.