Fukuoka, a gourmet city, has many delicious hidden gem restaurants that only those in the know are aware of.
The beef tongue restaurant “Tanca” that I’m introducing today is one of them.
(Despite saying “hidden gem,” it’s actually quite a famous restaurant, but please overlook that…)
The specialty is “Beef Tongue Shabu-Shabu.” It features a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture created by aging rare tongue base cuts using a unique method. It’s tender and rich in umami, yet not greasy and refreshing.
It’s amazing when enjoyed with crispy green onions and the special Japanese broth sauce.
The finishing fried rice is so good that they opened a specialized “Fried Rice King” restaurant in Tokyo. Drizzle it with the special vinegar soy sauce for a completely different flavor experience.
While beef tongue used to give me the impression of being just the opening act for yakiniku, I was moved by how delicious properly prepared good beef tongue can be when eaten as shabu-shabu. You should definitely visit at least once!
- Access and Basic Information for “Tanca Main Store”
- Tanca Main Store Menu: Grilled Beef Tongue, Tongue Shabu-shabu, and Fried Rice Are Must-Orders
- Savoring the Umami-Packed Grilled Beef Tongue
- The Smooth Tongue Shabu-shabu Has Excellent Compatibility with Japanese Broth – Can Only Be Described as Incredibly Delicious
- Tanca’s Tongue Shabu-shabu Can Be Ordered Nationwide!
- “Tanca” is a Famous Restaurant Worth Visiting
Access and Basic Information for “Tanca Main Store”
The main store of “Tanca” is located in Kiyokawa, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City.
It takes a little over 20 minutes on foot from both Tenjin and Hakata Station, so it’s better to use a bus or taxi.
The closest subway station is Watanabe-dori Station on the Nanakuma Line, but it’s still about a 10-minute walk from there.
From the nearest bus stop “Takasago,” it’s just a 2-minute walk.
If you don’t mind not going to the main store, there are branch locations in both Tenjin and Hakata Station areas, so you could visit those instead.
All are popular restaurants, so making a reservation is recommended.
Tenjin Tanca (@tenjin_tanca) • Instagram Photos and Videos
Hakata Tanca | Store Details, Access, Business Hours – Tanca/TANCA
【Basic Information for Tanca Kiyokawa Main Store】
| Restaurant Name | Tanca Kiyokawa Main Store |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 092-531-8529 |
| Address | 2-19-28 Kiyokawa, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City |
| Business Hours | 18:00-25:00 (Last Order 24:00, Drinks 24:30) |
| Closed | None |
| Web | Official: Tanca Kiyokawa Main Store (Watanabe-dori) | Store Details, Access, Business Hours – Tanca/TANCA Twitter: Beef Tongue Tanca (@gyutan_tanca) / Twitter |
Tanca Main Store Menu: Grilled Beef Tongue, Tongue Shabu-shabu, and Fried Rice Are Must-Orders
Located down a side street from Watanabe-dori, Tanca Kiyokawa Main Store has a small sign and entrance, giving it a calm impression.
There were people waiting, but since we had a reservation, we were able to enter smoothly.
The interior has counter seating and about 3-4 table seats. However, there seemed to be a second floor as well, so there are likely more seats.
When you come to Tanca, the first thing you want to order is Grilled Beef Tongue (1,848 yen).
You’d also want to try grilled sagari and grilled tail, but if you’re planning to eat tongue shabu-shabu, you’ll need to consult with your stomach capacity.
The special tongue shabu-shabu is 2,500 yen. This is a must-order!
I’d like to try the motsunabe (offal hot pot) too, but it would require the courage to not order tongue shabu-shabu, so I haven’t been able to try it yet…
The à la carte menu is also extensive, so it’s nice to drink while nibbling on various dishes (if there’s space).
Alongside tongue shabu-shabu, another must-order is the signature fried rice (759 yen).
While there are many things you’d like to try, I recommend saving stomach space for the finishing fried rice!
Savoring the Umami-Packed Grilled Beef Tongue
First, beer! Served in Tanca’s original mug with a cow with a big tongue printed on it.
The appetizer is a vinegared dish of beef offal and vegetables, which stimulates the appetite for the meat to come.
The first dish to arrive was beef tongue menchi katsu, 2 pieces for 660 yen.
The inside is 100% juicy beef tongue. The outside has a crispy coating, and the original tomato sauce is of surprisingly high quality. Delicious.
One of the absolutely must-order menu items when you come to Tanca – Grilled Beef Tongue!
It comes with pickles and light vinegar soy sauce, plus karashi (Japanese mustard), regular mustard, and wasabi (which I forgot to photograph).
While it has a nice chewy texture, it’s very tender. It contains aged, concentrated fat, and with each bite, the umami of the beef tongue gradually overflows. This is delicious. Irresistible.
Grilled beef tail. The sensation is similar to pig’s feet, with plenty of fat and collagen, making it soft.
It’s been thoroughly braised so it falls off the bone effortlessly. It pairs excellently with the light sauce and mustard.
The Smooth Tongue Shabu-shabu Has Excellent Compatibility with Japanese Broth – Can Only Be Described as Incredibly Delicious
After finishing what was too luxurious a menu for a warm-up, it was finally time to order today’s main dish – beef tongue shabu-shabu.
A tabletop burner was set up, and a beautiful arrangement of beef tongue, vegetables, and the pot were brought out.
Cherry-colored beef tongue with fine marbling. It looks absolutely delicious…!
On a separate plate are green onions, mizuna greens, tofu, young corn to eat with the beef tongue, plus chopped green onions and grated daikon radish for the ponzu.
The sauces are ponzu and special Japanese broth. The Japanese broth is recommended.
Following the server’s instructions, first put in the tofu and young corn, which take longer to cook.
Then add the green onions and beef tongue, and when they look good, eat the tongue and green onions together.
Wrap the green onion with the beef tongue, dip it in the Japanese broth… here we go!!
The very smooth silk tongue has a proper texture yet is tender.
The compatibility between the tongue’s umami and the Japanese broth is outstanding – I can only describe it as absolutely delicious. Who knew beef tongue could become this delicious?
Dipping it in ponzu makes it even more refreshing. This is also undeniably delicious.
But it can’t quite match the pairing with the Japanese broth.
For the finish at Tanca, there’s really only one option – fried rice!
It’s incredibly delicious on its own, but adding the fried rice sauce on the table creates a nice flavor change.
The menu’s recommended eating method says “add it after eating half,” but it’s up to your preference.
I even had the golden tail soup to accompany the finish. I’m completely full.
Tanca’s Tongue Shabu-shabu Can Be Ordered Nationwide!
Can’t make it to Fukuoka but want to eat tongue shabu-shabu!
For such people, Tanca apparently sells take-out beef tongue shabu-shabu sets nationwide.
A set for two people includes beef tongue, green onions, sauce, finishing udon (not available in the restaurant), and even fried rice for 6,980 yen.
However, it seems to be popular and not always available for purchase – they apparently sell it every Sunday starting at 10:00 AM.
In addition to beef tongue shabu-shabu, they also have harami (skirt steak) shabu-shabu, motsunabe, yakiniku, and à la carte dish sets.
I’m thinking of trying to order take-out when I can’t visit the restaurant.
“Tanca” is a Famous Restaurant Worth Visiting
This is a restaurant I’d recommend not only to Fukuoka residents but also to people visiting Fukuoka for travel or business.
Grilled beef tongue, beef tongue shabu-shabu, and fried rice are essential, so please don’t forget to order just those!
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