I personally consider Toriden one of the absolute best mizutaki restaurants in Fukuoka.
Whenever out-of-town guests ask for mizutaki, this is the place I always take them to.
I recently heard that their second location, the Toriden Hakata Main Branch, opened near Nakasu, behind the Hakataza Theater in the Kawabata area—so of course, I had to check it out.
They’ve fully preserved the flavor of the original Yakuin location, and it’s just as delicious. With Nakasu and Tenjin nearby, it’s a perfect spot to bring visitors. Highly recommended!
Toriden Hakata Main Branch: A Beautiful Restaurant Behind Hakataza in Nakasu Kawabata
Located in a prime spot behind the Hakataza Theater, this is the Toriden Hakata Main Branch.
The first floor has a register and a shop selling takeaway mizutaki. We dined in, so we headed up to the second floor.
The interior has a spacious table seating area, and it seems there are private rooms as well.
Prices are the same as the Yakuin location: 2,800 yen per person for mizutaki. Ordering a course menu (Plum or Bamboo) is more cost-effective than ordering à la carte.
We went with the Plum Course, and even for me as a man, it was plenty of food. (Refills on cabbage, carrots, and enoki mushrooms are free.)
If you want to try extras like sesame mackerel and chicken tempura, go for the Bamboo Course.
Mizutaki Full of Chicken Umami, Recommended for Everyone
First came two appetizers (flavored soft-boiled egg with meat miso, and seasoned shimeji mushrooms) and torisashi (lightly seared chicken sashimi).
All were delicious and paired wonderfully with sake. It built great anticipation for the mizutaki ahead.
With mizutaki, you start by sipping the soup.
The broth is made by simmering whole chicken with only water and salt for 6–7 hours. The chicken flavor is intensely rich—just as good as always!
If you want a stronger flavor, add Goto Sea salt or their homemade yuzu pepper paste.
After the soup, it’s time for the main dish. Bone-in chicken, chicken fillet, and green onions.
The chicken is tender and juicy, with perfectly balanced seasoning. Their rich ponzu sauce and yuzu pepper complement it beautifully. Unless you dislike chicken entirely, you’ll love this.
Next, we added chicken meatballs, tofu, and vegetables.
The veggies were super fresh, and the meatballs contained bits of cartilage, giving a nice texture.
Look at the color of that rich soup! Each round of chicken, meatballs, and veggies makes it even more flavorful. You’ll want to drink it to the last drop.
The wide selection of Fukuoka sake pairs perfectly with the meal—too easy to keep drinking.
For the final dish, you can choose either ramen or rice porridge.
Even if you’re full, it goes down easily.
The soup is lightly seasoned at first, so if you prefer a bolder flavor, add salt or ponzu to taste.
Final Thoughts
Now that it’s within walking distance of Nakasu and Tenjin, I’m sure I’ll be bringing more guests here again and again.
Hakata isn’t just about ramen, mentaiko, or motsunabe. Mizutaki is a truly delicious specialty.
It’s not just a simple chicken hotpot—it’s a refined dish with deep flavor.
If you’re ever in Fukuoka, don’t miss the chance to try it!
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