Did you know there’s a place right inside Hakata Station where you can enjoy one of Fukuoka’s specialties—spicy cod roe (karashi mentaiko)—together with freshly cooked rice?
That place is called Shoboan, a restaurant operated by Kayanoya.
Their main shop is actually in Hisayama, Fukuoka Prefecture, but they opened this branch inside Amu Plaza Hakata four years ago.
It’s a little on the pricey side, but you get rice cooked in a traditional hagama (iron pot), top-quality karashi mentaiko, and an array of flavorful side dishes.
If you want to enjoy “Hakata cuisine” done right, this place is perfect for treating yourself or taking out-of-town guests while visiting Fukuoka!
Shoboan on the 9th Floor of Amu Plaza Hakata, Inside Hakata Station
Shoboan is located on the 9th floor of Amu Plaza Hakata in JR Hakata City, right next to Hakata Station, inside the City Dining Kuuten area.
In the open kitchen facing the counter, there’s a large pot.
That’s where they cook their rice. Looks so good.
The cover of the menu shows a steaming bowl of rice topped with karashi mentaiko. This is exactly what we came for.
Here’s the lunch menu. They offer options like wagyu sirloin and miso-marinated black cod as main dishes, but no matter which you pick, it all comes with hagama-cooked rice and their additive-free karashi mentaiko. They even have a “special mentaiko bento” to enjoy even more mentaiko.
If you don’t have work later, why not treat yourself to a beer with lunch? Sounds perfect, right?
Fluffy Hagama-Cooked Rice, Spicy Mentaiko, and Perfect Side Dishes
They first served up daikon simmered lightly in Kayanoya dashi. A perfect way to start the meal.
I ordered the miso-marinated black cod set (1,980 yen). Here it comes!
So many well-balanced dishes, each carefully prepared and irresistibly appetizing.
The hagama-cooked rice was fluffy, and the more you chewed, the more the flavor spread in your mouth.
It was all-you-can-eat, so of course I went for a second bowl.
And the karashi mentaiko—just look at those glistening roe. Delicious on its own, but absolutely unbeatable with rice.
For souvenirs, my top recommendations in Fukuoka right now are this “Shoboan” mentaiko and also Chikae.
Not only the rice and mentaiko—every side dish was excellent.
The black cod was beautifully seasoned with sweet mirin and a touch of salt that made the rice even more irresistible.
Final Thoughts
Around Tenjin, there are countless places to eat, but near Hakata Station, you often only think of ramen or basic diners inside the station. Travelers and business visitors might find it tricky to choose.
(There are some restaurants nearby, just not as dense as in Tenjin.)
At Shoboan, you can savor Fukuoka’s specialties with outstanding quality. It’s a bit of a splurge, but absolutely satisfying.
Definitely a spot worth remembering—I highly recommend it!
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