On the second floor of a building at the entrance of the Yanagibashi Union Market in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, there is a new opening of Ikemaro, famous for its steamed dumplings. It's a bit hidden and not easy to find as there is no sign outside. The interior has a cozy atmosphere with wooden counters and tables. It was almost full around 8 pm on weekdays, so making a reservation might be a good idea. Despite the crowdedness, the atmosphere is calm and comfortable. I started with a toast of Oolong tea, and the complimentary dish was a delicious beef and daikon stew. The handmade tofu was like a sweet treat, served on a bed of ice, and paired perfectly with a light soy sauce and wasabi. The steamed dumplings were a must-try, with a chewy texture and a rich filling that went well with the pork bone-based soup. The spicy miso and yuzu pepper added a nice twist to the dish. The Chanpon noodles were flavorful, and I couldn't resist ordering the warm Ojiya as well, which turned out to be a hit. The staff was friendly and the prices were reasonable, making it a place worth revisiting. I highly recommend trying the various dishes offered at Ikemaro.

I went to Ikemaro in Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City on September 26, 2023. They recently moved from Imazumi and started serving lunch. The restaurant is located near the entrance of Yanagibashi Rengou Ichiba, on the second floor above a flower shop. The interior is still new and spacious. For lunch, they offer two options: Sukichanpon and Gyudon. Since it's still hot outside, I ordered the Gyudon (regular) for 1000 yen (tax included). It came with Wakame soup, pickles, and a raw egg. The half-cooked beef looks delicious. I cracked the raw egg on top, and the combination of yolk, sauce, and beef was tasty. As the weather cools down, I'll try the Sukichanpon next time. The address is 1-6-7 Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

I visited a new restaurant for lunch that opened in August after relocating. The new location was on the second floor, so I almost missed it, but I arrived safely. The interior of the restaurant was a spacious and stylish space with counter seats and table seats. During lunchtime, they served beef bowl and champon with gyoza. I ordered the popular beef bowl (double meat) which came with raw egg, soup, and pickles as a set. It was refreshing to eat it with wasabi, and breaking the raw egg over it added a nice touch. The meat was cooked like sukiyaki, and the sauce had a rich flavor. I'm curious about the "champon with gyoza" mentioned in the restaurant's name, so I plan to visit again soon when I go to Fukuoka. I want to try the champon with gyoza and other Fukuoka-style dishes at night.