Recently, a friend from Tokyo came to visit me in Fukuoka, so I welcomed them with motsunabe!
While Fukuoka has numerous motsunabe restaurants, I was surprised by the luxurious interior and atmosphere of the famous establishment Yamanaka Akasaka branch, which resembles a high-end hotel.
Of course, the signature miso motsunabe and other dishes are excellent!
Yamanaka Akasaka – Decorated Like an Upscale International Hotel
Located about 3 minutes on foot from Akasaka subway station, it’s on the 2nd floor of a building with a supermarket called “Sunny” on the ground floor.
The entrance is like this.
Climbing the stairs reveals… a Western-style landing that makes you doubt this is really a motsunabe restaurant.
The entranceway.
The waiting area at the entrance.
How sophisticated…
Even the counter.
By any measure, this looks more like a luxury overseas hotel than a motsunabe restaurant.
But when shown to the back, it’s definitely a motsunabe restaurant.
The dining space is like this. Private rooms are also available.
Miso-Flavored Motsunabe is Especially Recommended! Other Dishes Like Spicy Cod Roe Are Also Delicious
The menu features motsunabe (miso, soy sauce, and shabu-shabu style), as well as spicy mentaiko (cod roe).
The selection of alcoholic beverages is also extensive.
First, we toast and enjoy edamame.
Vinegared offal, a standard appetizer in Fukuoka. Delicious.
Serving individual spicy cod roe is quite rare. Genuinely delicious.
And here comes the main event—miso motsunabe!!
This is truly delicious. I’m basically a “motsunabe should be soy sauce” person, but this miso motsunabe genuinely awakened me to its charms.
Of course, we finish with chanpon noodles.
And then…
Motsunabe Round 2—soy sauce flavored motsunabe!
This is also undoubtedly delicious.
We finish this one with double chanpon noodles.
Simply delicious!
After the hot pot, we relax while sipping drinks.
My friend strikes a pose reminiscent of something seen before.
On the way to the restroom is this space. What is this…so stylish…
By now, it’s impossible to tell what kind of business this is.
Incidentally, the restroom was also impeccably clean, befitting a luxury hotel.
Thank you for the wonderful meal!
Final Thoughts
True to Fukuoka’s status as the sacred home of motsunabe, there’s such variety in atmosphere and flavor that you never tire. And rarely do you encounter a disappointing meal.
This is an undeniably excellent establishment, so definitely visit when you come to Fukuoka!
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