On this day, I met up with my friend in the evening and first took a bath at Miyakoyu in Haruyoshi. We enjoyed the atmosphere of the food stalls in Nakasu, and then headed to Sakaba Ichiban, recommended by Yoshida Rui in "Sakaba Hourouki (#414)". When we entered, the counter seats on the first floor were quite crowded. It seemed like there were no seats available for two people, so we were guided to the second floor. We went up the stairs to the second floor, but the atmosphere was much better on the first floor. Just like Toriman, a local izakaya in Kamata, the atmosphere on the first floor is much better, and there's no point going if it's not on the first floor. So, we told the landlady that we preferred to wait for a seat on the first floor, and luckily, two seats at the corner became available, and we were able to sit down without much waiting. First, we ordered bottled beer and made a toast. The place was constantly busy with customers coming in one after another, and many customers gave up and left after seeing the crowdedness. The vinegar motsu we ordered was decent. The motsu was cut too finely, so the texture was a bit disappointing. The gyoza was bite-sized as usual and went well with the beer. Since it was that kind of atmosphere, we decided to have sake that day. We chose to have it cold (at room temperature). The brand was "Fuyo" from Saga. When I looked it up later, I found out that the Tanaka Sake Brewery closed in 2013, and the brewing is now done by Yamato Sake Brewery. The curry hot pot was recommended, so I decided to order it since I've been into curry recently. I realized that the conversation wasn't in a Kyushu dialect, so the person next to me asked where we were from. We said we were from Tokyo, and that's how the conversation started, and we started chatting with good vibes. The person next to us seemed to be a regular here and had already retired, coming here without skipping a day. This kind of situation is also encountered in downtown izakayas in Tokyo, and it's one of the enjoyable parts of izakaya hopping. The person recommended us to try "Aburattekamo". We didn't know what it was, but we ordered two of them. What came out was a fish that was slightly burnt and didn't look very appetizing. Divers would recognize it as a Sparidae right away. I've seen Sparidae swimming in the sea in Izu many times, but it's a black and plain fish, so it's often ignored and doesn't end up on the dining table. I never thought I would try it for the first time in Fukuoka. It had small bones, but it had a good taste. If this is good, I wonder if Oyabitcha is tasty too... (Divers would understand). The menu was quite extensive, and there was "Iwashi" on it, so I asked if we could have sashimi, but they only had grilled fish that day. When it came to choosing between whole Iwashi and round Iwashi, we decided to have both. The sake and the dishes kept coming, and we ended up having six servings between the two of us. We then switched to Hoppy, which is rare in Kanto and westward. We also added bacon-wrapped leeks and Katsu and egg. While we were there, customers kept coming in non-stop. The regular next to us also left, so we settled the bill and left. This was the most enjoyable izakaya during my stay in Fukuoka. It's a must-visit izakaya when you're in Fukuoka.

There were many delicious dishes at the long-established popular pub in Hakata♪ Hakata Nakasu popular pub Sake Ichiban Maido! Yamadera (^ ^ ♪ On this day, I went on a drinking expedition to Kyushu Hakata! The shop is the super popular pub in Nakasu, Sake Ichiban. The atmosphere of the shop and detailed information are also uploaded on YouTube, so I would be happy if you could refer to it. The shop opens at 4:30 pm! At first, I thought about going around 5 pm, but a listener said, "They are open from 4:30," so I arrived at the shop 5 minutes before opening! When I asked the staff if it's okay for 4 people, they said, "It's okay!" But after the opening time, more and more reservations came in! By 5 pm, it was full and they were turning people away! Oh, I'm glad I came before the opening time. When I looked at the menu, everything was so cheap! No wonder it's popular. I visited with 4 people, so we toasted with a bottle of sweet potato shochu for 2,200 yen. There are attractive grilled chicken skewers in the refrigerated case at the counter. And each skewer is only 90 yen! For snacks, we had simmered octopus. It's soy sauce-based, similar to simmered fish, and delicious. The octopus was very tender and easy to eat. Another dish was potato salad! It was delicious with a little less mayonnaise. We also ordered grilled chicken skewers - skin, meat, liver, and belly, each for 90 yen per skewer. They were juicy and delicious as they were charcoal-grilled. It was nice to have onion sandwiched between the meat. We also tried the popular handmade croquette for 350 yen. When I split the croquette with chopsticks, it looked creamy and delicious. The crispy coating and the firm taste of the inside, like hashed beef, were delicious. Since I came to Hakata, I wanted to try Hakata dishes, so I ordered "okyuuto" for 370 yen. When I asked the staff what it was, they said it's seaweed. It was like "tokoroten" when I tasted it. Another dish was "nira toji" for 300 yen. Plenty of chives were cooked with eggs. The deliciousness of chives and the perfect amount of eggs made it delicious! When in Hakata, I must have motsunabe for 760 yen! It was filled with plenty of guts, cabbage, tofu, and chives. The soup was surprisingly light but had a strong dashi flavor, making it delicious. The guts were not gamey and had a rich sweetness, which was great. I'm really satisfied to have found such a good pub. Of course, it's now my favorite, so I'll definitely visit again. Thank you for the feast. Sake Ichiban☆Basic Information☆ Address: 4-4-9 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture Closed: New Year's holidays (12/31-1/2) *There may be temporary closures Business hours: 4:30 pm-11:30 pm (L.O. 10:45 pm) Smoking allowed

On a weekend night, the lively Nakasu area is bustling with energy. Without any prior research, I casually walked into a shop with a cool exterior that exuded the scent of a great establishment. Despite the crowded interior, I was lucky to find the only available seat at the long L-shaped counter, right next to a seasoned regular customer. It turns out the shop was established in 1963, retaining a Showa-era atmosphere. Operating for 60 years in the competitive Nakasu district is a testament to its quality. There is no cover charge, which is also a plus. The menu is extensive and choosing can be difficult. You can order dishes such as motsunabe or sukiyaki in single servings, along with Fukuoka specialties like mentaiko tamagoyaki and gyoza. I recommend trying the grilled dishes. Skewers like gizzard, skin, and pork belly are priced at 100 yen each. They are unique for sandwiching onions and are cooked to perfection with well-balanced seasoning. You can also enjoy Fukuoka's local sake such as Tanaka Rokugo, Wakana, and Midarajin, as well as of course, Kyushu's shochu. The prices are reasonable considering the location. Payment is cash only. After visiting this place, you can wrap up your night in Hakata by having ramen or udon, making for a compact and enjoyable Hakata night experience.

The second stop was at Sakaban, located right near the hotel. The first floor was crowded with regulars, so we were seated in the second-floor tatami room. We tried the specialty dish called "okyuto" for the first time, which the staff described as a food with seaweed similar to agar mixed in. It had a thick texture like agar and a seaweed taste like nori, and it went well with the alcohol. We ordered chicken skewers with skin and belly. The skin had onions sandwiched in between, which added a sweet and delicious flavor. The hot pot was surprisingly affordable, priced in the 700 yen range per serving. Although the exterior may seem intimidating, the inside of the restaurant was like heaven.

I made a reservation and visited on Saturday night. I had reserved the curry hot pot course, which is famous. The curry hot pot was just okay at first bite, pretty much as expected. But as the drinking party went on, I found myself saying, "Wow, this is delicious!" and kept eating. It was great value for money and I was very satisfied. I want to go again.

I have relied on this long-established store many times. They serve hearty meals from early hours, and even have great curry hot pot for when you're a bit peckish. Their cost performance is excellent. They also offer delicious set meals for those who can't drink alcohol. The food comes out quickly and the female staff members are efficient and attentive.

I arrived at a popular local pub that I had made a reservation for two nights and three days in advance. The place is located in a night view spot in Nakasu, near the famous bridge between Nakasu Kawabata and Tenjin. The atmosphere was bustling with young people passing by and drinkers enjoying their time. The name of the pub is "Sakaba Ichiban," which means "Number One Drinking Place." I was seated at the counter next to regular customers and near the busy area where the landlady was managing the orders and payments. The menu offered a variety of dishes such as set meals, yakisoba, and hot pot. I couldn't find the alcohol menu, but the landlady kindly recommended a Hoppy set with shochu. The food was delicious, especially the steamed clams and croquettes. The pub was run entirely by female staff, and the warm and friendly service made me feel at home. I enjoyed the cozy and authentic atmosphere, and the prices were reasonable. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend this place for anyone looking to enjoy local cuisine and a friendly environment.

I visited Sakichan during a business trip. Oh man, despite being right in the middle of Nakasu, the cost performance is amazing! Personally, I consume a lot of alcohol, so I was really happy with the affordability of the drinks. Also, they have a wide variety of Fukuoka-specific menu items. You won't have any trouble choosing snacks. There are plenty of seats, and I happened to be on the second floor, which was very spacious and comfortable. Whether you just want to have a casual drink or go all out, or even for the pre-party in the hostess district in Nakasu, it's perfect! Haha, I definitely want to visit this place again next time.

Pickled cabbage for 320 yen, assorted sashimi for 1,250 yen, water-cooked dish for 670 yen, shochu for 380 yen. [Total] 2,620 yen. When the ponzu sauce came out before the hot pot, I had a bad feeling. And as I suspected, what came out was completely different from what I had imagined as "Hakata's water-cooked dish." Was I wrong in my imagination!? This is not what I wanted to eat at all!! If it's this kind of "water-cooked dish," you can eat it at a Kansai restaurant. To be honest, you can even eat it at home. I was planning to eat and drink more, but my spirit was broken. Thank you for the meal. m(_ _)m P.S. Reason for rating the service as 2.9: They are attentive to regulars, which may come off as cold to newcomers. The two or three staff inside the counter immediately respond when regulars call out to them. But when I called out to them, they didn't respond until the second or third time (｀ε´). If this kind of thing happens a few times, it can make you feel uncomfortable. P.S.2 Additional information: I think it's better to make a reservation if you want to go. Even though I entered right at opening time, all the counter seats on the first floor were fully booked. I was allowed to enter with a two-hour limit. However, I ended up leaving after an hour and a half because my spirit was broken...

I wanted to drink in Nakasu, but I was worried because I didn't know where to go. So, I chose a cozy izakaya where Yoshida Rui-san had visited and seemed to be enjoying himself. The exterior looked reassuringly Showa-era. Upon entering, I was greeted by friendly middle-aged female staff members who didn't fuss over me. They recommended sitting at the counter, and when asked what to order without being given a menu, they hesitantly handed me one and explained the dishes. Some people may not like this type of service, but I personally enjoy the honest communication of a Showa-era tavern. I ordered shochu with hot water, skewers, pig trotters, mezasu, goya, yudofu, etc. The small skewers were easy to eat. The pig trotters were delicious! I only ordered one serving, but the lady brought me two small dishes of dipping sauce for the trotters. When I said one dish was enough, she insisted that it tastes better with the sauce. And indeed, dipping the crispy hot trotters in the sauce was delicious. It was really tasty. Unfortunately, I was too drunk to take photos. After drinking too much shochu (I'm a beginner), the lady scolded me a bit on how to drink properly. This reliable service made me feel safe at the restaurant (of course, I also felt remorse). Thanks to that, I was able to walk back to the hotel, albeit a bit wobbly. It's not a fancy or trendy place. The service is not modern. But, it's cheap, delicious, and has that Showa-era vibe where the lady discreetly watches over your drinking style. The bill was surprisingly reasonable. I recommend this place to those looking for such an experience.

During my trip to Fukuoka, I remembered being recommended by a friend for a cheap and delicious restaurant, so I decided to visit around 4:30 in the evening when it was not too crowded. When I got home, I found out that this restaurant "Yoshida Rui's Sakaba Horoki" was actually featured on a TV show. Amazing! I arrived without a reservation on a weekday around 5 pm and was seated on the second floor. The second floor had a tatami seating area where you had to take off your shoes. The atmosphere was very chic, and there were many salarymen enjoying themselves. I started with a refreshing lemon highball as a toast. I was happy to see that you could order a single serving of motsu nabe, a specialty of Hakata. The motsu nabe had a good amount of spicy red pepper, which paired well with the alcohol. The motsu was small but firm and delicious. The price was very reasonable at 760 yen! I also tried the yakitori (gizzard, meat, liver) for only 90 yen per skewer, which was surprisingly cheap. The skewers had onions in between the meat, which was nice. The squid mentaiko and morokyu were also popular dishes. The restaurant quickly filled up after we arrived, so I was glad we got there early. Thank you for the delicious meal!

From Nakatsu to Nakasu, I went to Teppan for Hakata iron pot dumplings, but my favorite restaurant, Unpotei, was full so I ended up going to Sake Ichiban where the Curry Pot caught my eye. I ordered a Kirin Lager to go with it, but unfortunately they brought me a Super Dry instead. I waited for about 30-20 minutes for the Curry Pot to arrive. When it did, it turned out to be more like Sukiyaki with beef, tofu, shirataki noodles, cabbage, chrysanthemum greens, green onions, and fish cake. The soup was supposed to be curry, but it didn't blend well with the broth, just tasted like they added curry powder. Is this their specialty? I've been to hundreds of restaurants in Hakata, but this was the first time I was disappointed with everything. It was a cheap eat at 1,270 yen, but still... Home-cooked meals made with love are tastier.

Located about 3 minutes from Nakasu Kawabata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, next to Hotel Resol Trinity where I stayed this time, is a popular izakaya in Nakasu. I visited after a year and was pleased to see the lively atmosphere from before the pandemic had returned. I managed to find a seat at the almost full counter. The staff were all older ladies, giving a calm atmosphere. I ordered Stir-Fried Leeks with Egg for 300 yen, Cheese-Fried for 370 yen, and a small bottle of beer for 620 yen. Almost all the customers seemed to be regulars, with many of them having their own bottles placed in front of them to drink from. The Stir-Fried Leeks with Egg was a simple and delicious dish. The Cheese-Fried consisted of two sticks of processed cheese wrapped in seaweed and two sticks wrapped in gyoza skin, all of which were tasty. The menu mainly consists of simple dishes, but the prices are reasonable, making it a place loved by the locals in Hakata. I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal. The atmosphere feels more like it belongs to someone like "Yoshida Rui" rather than "Ota Kazuhiko".

A famous izakaya in Nakasu Kawabata. It's popular among locals and has a cozy atmosphere. I tried to go on a Sunday around 6:00 PM, but it was full with reservations. Just as I was about to give up and leave, a seat opened up and the owner called me back in! I was led to the spacious second floor and enjoyed a variety of dishes and drinks at reasonable prices. The yakitori was small but tasty, the gyoza was slightly sweet, and the croquettes were a must-try. The atmosphere of this traditional izakaya is great, and they offer a variety of hot pots including a popular curry pot. You can order dishes by the serving, and the highball drinks are reasonably priced. I recommend trying the croquettes for sure!

And six months have passed. Well, it's actually a monthly ritual, but the coolness of autumn can be felt through the screen door on a moonlit night. I'm back to my usual mode of drinking. Customers from Korea are also visiting like before. International exchange is thriving here as well. The most popular dish here is the small pot curry. I couldn't resist ordering it after being drawn in by the smell from the neighboring table (although most of it was eaten by my companion). Here, we also enjoyed grilled liver bites with chives, pickles, and sweet potato shochu. I hope this peaceful scene here can last for a long time.

I finally made a reservation at a restaurant I've been wanting to go to for a while. When I entered the restaurant, the first floor was full of counter seats and had a lively atmosphere like a popular pub. Going up to the second floor, I found a spacious tatami room that was also full. The waitresses were busy taking orders and serving drinks and dishes. The menu had a wide variety of items that were perfect for drinking, making it hard to choose. The draft beer for 360 yen is really cheap! - Whale sashimi - Yakitori (chicken skewers) - Pork ginger stir-fry - Duck butter - Fried sardines - Omelette We drank for about 3 and a half hours and it only cost 4000 yen per person, which is cheap. It was exactly what I expected from a popular pub.

The first place was a bit pricey and the amount of sake was small, so we rushed into this nearby place! It was close to closing time and they didn't have much on the menu, so we decided to try the curry hot pot that other customers were ordering. Along with the curry hot pot, we also ordered grilled chicken, pickled vegetables, and cold sake. We sat on the second floor in a spacious tatami room with few people around, which was nice. The curry hot pot was ¥650 and was a good size for one person, with pork, cabbage, fish cake, chrysanthemum greens, konjac, and green onions as ingredients. We had a great time chatting and opening bottle after bottle of cold sake. It was a fun and affordable night out, perfect for a first round. Of course, the night didn't end there, and we headed to a ramen shop for our final stop.

Fukuoka Prefecture Fukuoka City Hakata Ward Nakasu 4-4-9 Get off at Nakasu Kawabata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway, go out to Exit 1 at Nakasu Ticket Gate, and you will find the shop about 50m straight ahead from the exit in front of Taiyo Cinema. This is a longstanding bar in Nakasu, probably around for 50 years. I visited this place after a sake bar hopping in October 2022, and wanted to share my review of Fukuoka drinking experience. Personally, I think this is one of the representative bars in Fukuoka. Tokyo's Mairebi also visited here, and I have been here once before and wanted to visit again. - Nikujaga (Price forgotten) Homely and slightly rich in flavor, the nikujaga was subtly sweet and delicious. The flavor of the potatoes was well infused. - Iidako (380 yen) It was also a side dish like the nikujaga, unintentionally ordering similar dishes. The iidako had a chewy texture and was quite tasty. I wanted to stay a bit longer, but I sat at the counter with a regular customer on my right and a new customer on my left. The new customer started chatting with the regular, creating a slightly uncomfortable atmosphere. It's not the fault of the customers, but perhaps a common occurrence at counters. I decided to leave for now, but the homely atmosphere and delicious home-cooked dishes were great. I will come back again.

I had some free time in Nakasu, so I decided to stop by "Sakichan" for a quick drink. It's a casual and welcoming place that is always full of customers. I was worried if I could get in today, but luckily I managed to squeeze in. The food is always delicious and affordable, so if you haven't been there yet, I highly recommend it!

Today, I had a drink by myself before a meeting. I went to Sakaban in Nakasu! It was my second visit, but my first time posting about it. As usual, it was bustling and almost always full. Since I had a meeting later with food, I kept it light. I had 5 skewers of yakitori and stir-fried green peppers with sakura shrimp. The simple flavors were very comforting. I will definitely go again!

Observation point in Nakasu. It has become a routine for me to stop by this bar for a drink even when I'm already quite tipsy. I always take my usual spot at the counter and order a sweet potato shochu. Was it a complimentary dish? Or was it part of the set meal for the day? The bamboo shoots, thick fried tofu, and pork simmered in a light kimchi flavor were excellent. With a mentama (egg omelet with mentaiko) and a dried overnight sardine as side dishes, the conversation with my friend and the chat with the bar lady were lively. Ah, the hustle and bustle of this place. Fukuoka's night is slowly returning to its former self. It's wonderful. It almost brings tears to my eyes. And then, my friend surprisingly ordered some yakisoba. Similar to Hakata ramen, the straight thin noodles had a unique sauce flavor. Delicious.

As the business hours progress, there are more people who seem intoxicated or confused, making it difficult for the staff. However, there are no unruly customers as everyone seems to be keeping each other in check, creating a sense of unity at the restaurant. I usually don't eat rice bowls, but I tried the tamago-don (egg rice bowl) and found it surprisingly flavorful, perhaps meant as a good match for drinks. The sashimi selection varies depending on the day's ingredients, and if you're lucky, you can try the flounder sashimi for 880 yen, the most expensive item on the menu. The simmered octopus (sometimes squid) also sells out quickly, so be sure to order early. The octopus from the Kanmon Strait is delicious. The grilled skewers are cooked on a hot plate with a weight on top, and I tried the curry flavor, which you can add more skewers for an extra 50 yen each. They are cooked on the hot plate and then sprinkled with curry powder before serving. It's not bad, but I prefer the crispy texture of the salt and pepper from the hot plate.