This time, when I was on a business trip to Fukuoka, my senior colleague took me to a yakiniku restaurant for motsunabe (offal hot pot). It was my first visit to this place. The atmosphere was like an izakaya and very nice. My senior colleague ordered everything for us, including horse sashimi, tsukune (chicken meatballs), deep-fried shishamo (smelt fish), grilled beef tongue on a hot stone, and motsunabe in soy sauce flavor. The horse sashimi was lean and healthy. The tsukune had crunchy cartilage in it, the shishamo was crispy and delicious, and the grilled beef tongue was cooked on one side and wrapped in grilled leeks. It was my first time trying it, but it was delicious. Lastly, we had the motsunabe in soy sauce flavor. It had a good balance of flavors and I liked it. Even though it was offal, it was not heavy and there were plenty of vegetables. You can choose either zosui (rice porridge) or udon noodles for the finishing dish, but we had to pass this time as we had another place to go to. Overall, we tried various dishes, had motsunabe, and enjoyed some drinks, and it cost around 5000 yen per person. Everything was delicious, so this restaurant is great for gatherings or parties. It was a tasty experience. Thank you for the meal.

This is a restaurant specializing in motsunabe (offal hot pot) and a la carte dishes, visited for the first time. I chose the soy sauce flavor for the motsunabe. The appetizers included fried mackerel, smoked chicken salad, and spicy miso tofu with crab. The chicken sashimi was delicious with no unpleasant smell, including gizzard and liver. The motsunabe had a strong soy sauce flavor, with only leeks and small intestines for vegetables, along with cabbage, garlic, and firm bonito broth. Finally, the meal ended with champon noodles.

■ Revisited, has the restaurant name changed again? After 2 years, I returned for another round. Once again, with locals. This time, I tried the stone-grilled dishes. Tongue and kalbi. Thinly sliced meat topped with condiments. Cook one side and wrap it with leeks to enjoy. Delicious! Of course, we also had motsunabe. The basic soy sauce flavor. Increased tofu. It really goes well together. This time, I kept the alcohol consumption moderate, and it was under 5,000 yen. Another satisfying night. ■ September 2010 Debut Match The old name was "Shinfutei" and the current name is "Akasaka Furusato". The entrance sign says "Shinfutei" but the building sign says "Akasaka Furusato". A bit confusing. It's for the familiar customers from the past, I was told. Hmmm. I had only eaten the casual "motsunabe" at random banquets before. This restaurant was recommended to me by a local. Akasaka with its stylish zelkova trees. It's amazing how the atmosphere changes just a little away from Nakasu-Tenjin. The restaurant has a casual feel. Five of us gathered around the pot. Small pieces of motsu. The fat content is just right. It's not good if there's too much fat. The basic soy sauce flavor. A light taste that makes you want more and more. It's crunchy, and the fat gently follows. Amazing... I had two servings. This amount might be just right. We also had champon and zosui to finish. It's crispy and settles in the stomach. Full... but no bloating the next day. Excellent. It went over 5,000 yen, but we drank quite a bit. If it was just for the food (unthinkable), it would be around 60%. The "sumotsu" was also delicious. Looking forward to the second round and beyond at this restaurant.

This restaurant in Akasaka, Fukuoka is run by a livestock-related company. It is located on the first floor of a building on the south side of Keyaki Street, just past the Akasaka 2-chome intersection. They offer three types of motsunabe: soy sauce, light ponzu, and a slightly different Sichuan-style spicy miso flavor, but I tried the classic soy sauce flavor. The motsunabe here is delicious with a solid foundation. The Champon for finishing is also tasty. The quality of the meat is good, as expected from a livestock-related establishment. They have a variety of menu items, not just motsu, so you can enjoy it like an izakaya. I couldn't try everything, so I want to visit again. Akasaka Koshomachi, Fukuoka City, Chuo-ku, Akasaka 3-9-31, Concealment Akasaka 1F, Phone: 092-751-5726, Business Hours: 17:30-23:00, Closed on Wednesdays.

I still love motsunabe as always. So this time, I went to Furidokoro in Akasaka. It's a bit small and hard to find, but it fits well on Keyaki Street and has a mature atmosphere. They offer two types of motsunabe: soy sauce flavor and Sichuan-style spicy miso, as well as miso motsu-yaki. I tried the spicy miso, and the motsu was big and had a nice spicy kick to it. They have been in business for many years, and you can taste the experience in their food. One notable thing about this restaurant is that they offer more than just motsunabe. The appetizers are delicious and not just thrown together. They put effort into them, and it shows. Before the motsunabe, I tried the miso simmered skewers and the lava grill, both of which were delicious. The miso simmered skewers had a nice balance of flavors, and the lava grill, despite its mysterious name, turned out to be tongue and kalbi topped with green onions. It's grilled without flipping, and the crunchy texture of the green onions combined with the spices was amazing. It's a different kind of deliciousness from yakiniku. Overall, this restaurant is a hidden gem in an area where there are many popular motsunabe restaurants. It's a place I'd like to keep in mind for its solid flavors. The restaurant is spacious and can accommodate large groups, making it a great place for 4-5 colleagues to visit. Additional note: I was so impressed when I tried it for the first time that I had to edit my review. The special kimchi nabe is a must-try. It's similar to Manjuya's motsu, but it's a different dish. It's a bit more expensive than other motsunabe, but the cost performance is quite good. I used to hesitate to order it because of the price, but motsu and kimchi go incredibly well together. If you're not a fan of spicy food, dipping it in the egg makes it milder. I love spicy food, so I can eat it as is. The spicy zosui that comes after is absolutely delicious. It's a menu item that you might expect to see elsewhere, but the taste is unique to this restaurant. I can't wait to have it again!