◉Genre: Croquette ◉Area: Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, near Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Omotesando ◉Access: Less than 5 minutes on foot from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine ◉Parking: Not available ◉Credit card payment: Not available ◉Number of visits: First visit ◉Number of reviews: 1 On this day, I casually stopped by "Ajika" for some croquettes. ◇Exterior and Interior Located a little before the entrance to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Omotesando in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, this croquette shop does not have a name, making it a challenge for food bloggers. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a food stall, perfect for sightseeing or food hopping. ◇Seating: Not available ◇Menu Various types of croquettes are available. I ordered the following: - Gold Award Croquette (200 yen) → including tax As I was heading towards Omotesando, I decided to buy a croquette from this shop. The croquette, which won a gold award sometime in the past, has a simple and delicious taste. It's a combination of minced beef and potatoes, with a strong pepper flavor. The fluffy texture is definitely a highlight! ◆Strong Points Affordable and delicious croquettes with a simple taste! ◆Customer Service Average ◆Conclusion Just like the takoyaki shop I visited before, this shop has a nice atmosphere that I really like. Thank you for the meal! ^ ^

I was drawn to the sign that said "Gold Medal" and ended up buying a Gold Medal croquette. It was freshly baked and delicious, but hmm, it was just a normal croquette. There wasn't really a special feeling of it being a Gold Medal croquette. The price was 200 yen each, if it was a bit cheaper, my rating might have been higher. But I do like croquettes.

At Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, they have a gold medal croquette. There was no line, so I decided to try it out. The gold medal croquette costs 200 yen. They also offer ham cutlets, minced cutlets, cream croquettes, and other tempting options. I ordered the gold medal croquette and minced cutlet. The freshly fried croquette and chilled minced cutlet arrived. Both were small in size. The regular croquette was hot and not very meaty or juicy. The minced cutlet was not very flavorful or juicy either.

"Aji Hana" in Dazaifu City. I ordered one "Gold Medal Croquette" and one "Jumbo Menchi Katsu" (both 180 yen each). The "Gold Medal Croquette" is piping hot and has a creamy texture instead of a fluffy one. It has a spicy and rich flavor, with a hint of nutmeg perhaps? While I can understand the desire to create something different from the usual fluffy croquette, it's not to my liking. Also, the small size for this price doesn't seem justified to me. The "Jumbo Menchi Katsu" was oddly served at a lukewarm temperature. It is moist but not juicy, and the seasoning might have a hint of cinnamon? Both dishes seem to have some creative spice choices. Even though many people may like them, it's just not my preference.

The announcement of the new era name has gradually increased the excitement at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It was already a bustling place, but now it has become even more crowded. Just like everyone else, my friends and I decided to go on a tour of the birthplace of Reiwa! We always struggle to decide on where to eat before visiting the shrine, but this time we went for the croquettes from Aji Hana! They offer several types of croquettes, and you can buy them individually, making it perfect for eating on the go! This time, I tried the award-winning croquette featured on the signboard. Although it wasn't freshly fried, the croquette was still slightly warm when served. The crispy coating was well done, with just the right amount of oil. It was a bit disappointing that it wasn't freshly fried, but the croquette was still delicious even when cooled down! Despite being made from sweet potatoes, it had a smooth cream-like texture that was enjoyable. Since it's a bit small, it's perfect for when you want to try other varieties too! I ended up devouring some Ume-gaeshi mochi afterwards (laughs). Thank you for the meal!

On this day, on the way back from the first shrine visit, I found this shop just before the parking lot (o^O^o). It's around the Toriyanse area, near the big parking lot. When I was in my teens, I used to work at a target range and was taken care of by Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, but it's been a while and there are fewer people now, so it's nice to be able to walk around normally (￣▽￣). This shop, which won a gold medal for its croquettes, had many customers, and I hesitated until the last minute whether to buy them, but in the end, I decided to buy them (^o^;) I ate them while walking, and they were delicious! The potato felt creamy, as if it had been mashed, and it was crispy and tasty (@_@) It would have been even better if they were selling beer too, haha. Thank you for the meal.

I stopped by when I went to Dazai Tenmangu Shrine for a prayer for passing an exam. As soon as I started walking towards Dazai Tenmangu Shrine from the parking lot, I saw the words "Gold Medal Croquette" on the right side... Yum, it looked delicious. At that moment, I decided that I must eat it on my way back. After finishing my visit, I made sure to leave space in my stomach for the croquette! I couldn't resist trying various foods along the way, but I made sure to save room for the croquette. There were about two groups in line, but I was quickly served. An older lady was diligently frying the croquettes by herself. They were freshly fried and delicious. They were small, so they disappeared quickly. The taste was so good that I wanted to eat more. I will definitely stop by again when I come to visit for my son's exam. Thank you for the meal.

I arrived in Dazaifu around noon and took the Dazaifu Liner to get here. I immediately visited this shop, Ajika Gold Medal Croquette. There were various types displayed, but I decided to try the gold medal croquette. The crispy coating and the sweetness of the meat were just right and delicious!!!! Since I missed out on eating croquettes at Kanazawa's Omicho Market, I was really excited to have croquettes again after a long time.

The reviewer found a sign that said "Winner of the National Croquette Competition Gold Award" at a restaurant. They decided to try the "Gold Award Croquette" for 160 yen, which was freshly fried and described as small but packed with flavor. However, they also noticed a "Croquette Sandwich" for the same price, which turned out to be disappointing as it was not as hot or juicy as expected. The reviewer was confused by the use of high-quality ingredients like black-haired Wagyu beef in the croquette. Overall, they found the experience amusing but a bit of a headache.

Located near the bus stop for large tourist buses on the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a croquette shop. The small storefront displays several fried items, with the option to purchase freshly fried croquettes individually for strolling visitors. In addition to the freshly fried options, frozen croquettes are also available for home cooking. On a late weekday evening, there were six varieties available: Gold Award Croquette, Cheese Croquette, Pumpkin Croquette, Menchi Katsu, Karaage, and Kushi Katsu, each priced at 160 yen. Despite the relatively high price, the main attraction is the Gold Award Croquette. The croquette has a fine and crispy coating, with a soft interior reminiscent of cream croquette, blending the flavors of potatoes, onions, meat, and a bold spicy seasoning. The secret to its deliciousness lies in the blend of oils used for frying, including Hokkaido-grown May Queen potatoes, domestically sourced minced beef, and various types of fats. Although the croquette is on the smaller side and not the most cost-effective option, its taste leaves a strong desire for more. The foundation of this croquette lies in the Shou-chan Croquette from Yamaguchi Prefecture. This croquette chain has locations primarily in the prefecture, with a total of four outlets in Kyushu, including this one, Saga, and two establishments along the tourist streets of Yufuin. Additionally, the croquettes can be ordered online for delivery. Shou-chan Croquette won the Gold Award at the National Handmade Croquette Contest in 1987. The third-generation president of a meat wholesale business and a croquette enthusiast spent eight years perfecting the croquette. The croquette gained popularity nationwide after being featured in television and magazines, and even caught the attention of former Japanese national soccer team player Hidetoshi Nakata, who became a big fan and incorporated the croquette into the menu of a cafe he produced, as well as having a mobile sales vehicle at charity matches he participated in. I had the opportunity to try this croquette at both the Dazaifu and Yufuin locations, and it is the same delicious croquette at both places. It is interesting to note the significant difference in ratings on food review websites, likely influenced by the glamour of the tourist destination and the purpose of the visit, as well as the appearance of the establishments. The Yufuin location, fitting for a popular hot spring resort, has a fun and appealing storefront with a local specialty presentation that captures the interest of tourists, while the Dazaifu shop gives off a vibe of a plain old deli without any flashy signs or decorations, simply closing with a mechanical shutter in the evening. The atmosphere of the shop adds to the overall experience. Regardless, the best way to enjoy these croquettes is to have them freshly fried on the spot. The blend of oils used for frying also contributes to their deliciousness. I tried frying the frozen croquettes at home, but they did not achieve the same crispy texture. This shop is a favorite spot to visit when in Dazaifu.

After finishing my visit to Dazaifu, I had some time before heading back to Tenjin, so I decided to take a stroll. I came across this shop near the tourist bus stop, with two or three flags waving proudly that read "Gold Medal Croquette." Despite thinking "Is it really a gold medal?" in my head (for some reason in a Kansai dialect), I couldn't resist and went inside. The shop was small, about the size of one tatami mat. It seemed like croquettes were their main specialty, but they also offered other fried foods and side dishes like fried chicken. I ordered the gold medal croquette (\150) as indicated by the flags. The somewhat indifferent staff handed me a wrapped croquette. It had a deep fox-like color. Even as I took a picture, I could smell the frying oil. I took a bite, and it had a crispy texture followed by a hint of spices, seasoned with salt, and a slightly sticky texture from the potatoes. The strong seasoning made a lasting impression, with a lingering aftertaste. In these times of deflation, a 150 yen croquette seemed a bit fancy for me. However, with its rich flavor similar to a minced cutlet, it felt like a "commoner's taste" that would go well with rice. It was a satisfying meal.

I tried it when I visited for Hatsumode. The place was near the entrance of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It was lunchtime and there were about 10 customers in front of the store. I bought a 150 yen gold medal croquette and ate it on the spot. The taste was quite ordinary. If I had to say, the filling (potato) was smoother and creamier than a typical croquette. The outside was crispy, which was good. However, I felt that 150 yen for one croquette was a bit expensive.

Based on the reviews, it doesn't seem like it deserves a gold award. That was the impression I got. There was a gold award croquette in Yufuin too. When was this croquette grand prix anyway? So I decided to try it. To be honest, it's delicious. The potato is incredibly smooth and the seasoning is spicy. The price of 150 yen is a bit of a concern, but it's definitely not your average croquette. If you visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, be sure to include it in your food tour.

Ajika Hana March 11, 2012 (Sunday) Theme: Food spots in Dazaifu City can be found in the Dazaifu City Omotesando area. Every time I come, the words "Gold Medal Croquette" catch my eye, but this time I had some room in my stomach so I decided to stop by. I mean, how much do I love fried food if I'm going to eat croquettes after having fried chicken? The Gold Medal Croquette is 150 yen per piece, quite small in size. The crust is crispy, and the inside is creamy mashed potatoes with a smooth texture. It tastes good, but it's not really gold medal level. Come to think of it, I saw a Gold Medal Croquette in Yufuin, but it's probably not a branch, right? Maybe because the Grand Prix changes every year? Taste: 30/50, Cost performance: 8/20, Atmosphere: 10/20, Service: 4/10. When you add it all up... Repeat rate: 52/100. Eatery Log rating 9:00-17:00 Fukuoka Prefecture, Dazaifu City, Saifu 1-10-2009-928-8346

When I went to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, I saw that they had won the gold prize at the National Croquette Contest, so I made an impulse purchase (lol). I have quite the appetite, don't I? (lol) I bought it as a souvenir, but croquettes are best when they are freshly fried, so I couldn't resist and ate it right away. Oh? Surprisingly average? Huh? Seriously? It didn't taste like it was worth 150 yen at all, just a regular croquette. Oh no~ And then I heated it up at home and ate it, but it turned out even worse... Of course, my family didn't like it either, and I was blamed for making an expensive purchase... The weight of the gold prize, where did it go?

On November 17, 2011, I came across a shop called "Ajibana" on the way from the parking lot to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. I decided to try their award-winning croquette, the "Gold Prize Croquette". The croquette had a unique texture, not quite like a traditional croquette but more like a creamy croquette with a mix of meat. The flavor was well-balanced, so no sauce was needed. It was an interesting and tasty snack to enjoy before or after trying the famous Umegae mochi.

On the way back from visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, I saw a sign for gold medal croquettes. Despite being almost full from eating Hakata ramen, I couldn't resist and bought both the croquette and the menchi katsu for 160 yen each. The croquette had a crispy exterior and a rich aroma of potatoes. It exceeded my expectations and the contrasting textures of the crispy coating and moist interior were impressive.

Solo Trip in Fukuoka I finally took a 2-night, 3-day trip to Fukuoka, a place I've been wanting to visit. On my way back from visiting Dazaifu, I saw a flag advertising "Gold Medal Croquettes" and decided to stop by. It seemed like a deli shop that only sold takeout items. I found a croquette bun and decided to buy one. They asked if I wanted it warmed up, so I said yes. Unfortunately, it ended up getting cold as I stopped by a souvenir shop on the way back. The croquette bun got squished during the trip, so I had to give up on taking a photo. Despite all that, the croquette bun was very delicious! It had chunks of meat inside, which I really liked. Even when cold and squished, it was still tasty. I wish I could have it not as a bun, but with rice too! Thank you for the meal.