I visited Taikichi for the first time, a traditional restaurant with a fish tank inside. We were led to a spacious private room on the second floor where smoking was allowed. We ordered sashimi, fried food, and beer. It was a relaxing place to enjoy our meal. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, I hope this long-standing restaurant continues to thrive.

I came to the testing center to take the main exam for my department, and I passed successfully. Now I have come to the point where only the practical exam remains. I had some time before the practical exam in the afternoon, so I found this place on Tabelog and came here for lunch. Look at the picture! For only 1500 yen, I got a great deal with a variety of dishes including fried food, simmered dishes, sashimi, and chawanmushi. The simmered dish had a nice flavor without being too sticky, thanks to the dashi from root vegetables. The sashimi included thick slices of yellowtail belly, which was a bit overwhelming. It was a satisfying lunch with a generous amount of side dishes. Thank you for the meal!

In Yoshihara-cho, there is a traditional Japanese restaurant. The clientele seems to be more elegant compared to other places. I made a reservation for the 4000 yen course. The pace of serving the dishes was too fast, which was a bit bothersome. The salad was brought towards the end as a palate cleanser, but I would have preferred it at the beginning. I was happy to see the seasonal steamed dish served in a small pot, as I love steamed dishes and was considering ordering it separately. The content of the 4000 yen course was satisfying for the price. The only downside was that the grilled fish was served cold, but with the fast pace of service, it would have cooled down by the time I started eating anyway. The restaurant has private rooms, but when I called to confirm the room, the staff didn't seem to understand and came directly to the room. It would have been more efficient if they had confirmed over the phone. It shows their attention to detail, I suppose.

I visited the old Ito Denemon residence before stopping by. It's an old building with private tatami rooms where you can relax. It's a traditional Japanese-style restaurant with a pond. The lunch set was Taikichi set meal for 1620 yen. There was no children's menu, so we shared the meal, but the staff kindly explained the menu to us. We received rice, miso soup, assorted appetizers, simmered fish, sashimi, and chawanmushi. Just when we thought it was enough for sharing, a huge portion of fried chicken arrived, surprising us! Who needs a children's menu (laughs). The simmered fish and fried chicken were incredibly delicious, I want to eat them again! I forgot to ask if we could have seconds of rice, but with so much food, we were full. I will definitely go back.

In the vicinity of the former residence of the coal king Denemon Ito in Chikugo, featured in "Hanako and Anne," there is also the Kaoho Theater. If you happen to visit Iizuka City, it is recommended to take a break here. During a visit in the intense lingering summer heat, I rested leisurely in the spacious second-floor tatami room. There are two set meals available: Taikichi set meal for 1,620 yen and sashimi set meal for 2,500 yen. For middle-aged and elderly individuals, the 1,620 yen option is sufficient. The appetizer assortment includes two types of ohitashi, tamagoyaki, and chimaki sushi. The simmered dish is made with sea bream, while the sashimi includes sea bream, yellowtail, and salmon (which may not be necessary). The crispy fried fillet cutlet is generously sized, and the chawanmushi is filled with ingredients. This set also comes with seaweed soup and white rice, leaving you feeling satisfied. I even took a 30-minute nap in the comfortable coolness before heading to an afternoon meeting, enjoying a luxurious time. In the evening, they also offer a menu suitable for a banquet, and I felt like revisiting for a drinking party if given the opportunity.

From Iizuka Bus Center, head south towards Iizuka Cinema Central, located between the cinema and Midori-dori Park Street. This restaurant has been used for family gatherings, including memorial services, and my late father used to dine here frequently. One of the highlights is the fish tank near the entrance, where you can see fish swimming. Intrigued by this, and being a frequent passerby, I decided to have lunch here alone for the first time. Upon entering, I noticed that lunch hours are from 11:30 to 14:00, and there are two lunch options: "Taikichi set meal \1620" and "Sashimi set meal \2700". I inquired inside and learned that the sashimi set meal is an addition of various sashimi to the Taikichi set meal, making it a full course meal. I visited on a weekday, and there was a group reservation, so those customers were directed to the second floor. As I was alone, I sat at the counter on the first floor and ordered the sashimi set meal. The main sashimi included nine types of fish such as sea bream and scallops, accompanied by side dishes, simmered fish, chawanmushi, miso soup, and even shrimp tempura. A regular appetite would be satisfied with the Taikichi set meal alone. The taste was classic and traditional, with seasonal touches like adding bamboo shoots to the fish. Including shrimp tempura was a thoughtful addition to prevent monotony in Japanese cuisine. The sashimi was quite fresh, despite Iizuka being slightly away from the sea, there are many sushi restaurants in the city, ensuring good freshness. The presence of a fish tank further enhanced the experience. I savored each bite slowly. Overall, it was a satisfying meal. However, considering the price of 2500 yen plus tax, I felt that there are other restaurants in Fukuoka that offer more creative dishes. This establishment seems to stick to the traditional flavors without many surprises, especially in terms of seasoning. This could be due to the regular customers and the nature of the restaurant as a place for gatherings, making it difficult to change the taste. It's not bad by any means, it meets the standard. The freshness of the fish and the quality of other dishes are commendable. But for those who expect surprises, especially those used to dining at seafood market restaurants in Fukuoka, it may not meet those expectations. For those looking to entertain guests with fresh sashimi in Iizuka, this place is recommended. However, for those accustomed to restaurants in cities closer to the sea like Fukuoka, it may not be the best choice. Nevertheless, considering the efforts of this restaurant in the declining downtown area of Iizuka, I hope it continues to thrive.

When you enter the restaurant, you will see a lively fish tank with puffer fish and squid swimming, and on the left side, there is an L-shaped counter seat. When you sit down, they will ask, "Would you like the set meal?" and if you answer, "Yes, please," they will bring you the "Taiki set meal" (1,575 yen). This comes with a chawanmushi, which is smooth and has a refined umami taste, very delicious. The set meal includes a fresh sashimi platter, a nicely cooked sweet and savory sea bream, a crispy and fragrant chicken tempura, all of which were delicious and made the rice go down smoothly (*^^)v. The dashimaki tamago with a perfect balance of dashi flavor and delicate sweetness, the crunchy yam and mushroom salad, and the tuna, squid, and vegetable mix were all delicious, showing the refined taste of a longstanding 40-year-old restaurant. Lastly, you can enjoy dessert dumplings, making it a very satisfying lunch.

*Michelin Recommended*