Shoraku Fukuoka
Mentaiko is famous, of course, but Fukuoka is famous for Fukuoka motsunabe sets! Simply an offal hot pot, but this taste can only be felt in Japan. These days, Korean restaurants serve motsunabe sets too. Tasty, but not as good as eating it locally. Honestly, this is partly why I fell for Fukuoka. There are a few motsunabe set restaurants in Fukuoka, but Shoraku is accessible and delicious. A favorite among locals too, and do not worry: there is a Korean menu when you go.
Take the elevator to the 10th floor of Hakata Station and you will see it right away. At night, people line up, but at lunch it is relatively quiet.
Being a hot pot place, there are induction cookers.
I ordered from the Korean menu. Asked for motsunabe. Flavors come in soy sauce, miso, and salt. Most Koreans prefer soy sauce, but true Fukuoka motsunabe lovers eat miso. I went with miso too!
The motsunabe arrived.
Bubbling away.
In Fukuoka, restaurants always serve mentaiko.
I was flustered that no spoon came with a soupy dish. Apparently Japanese people drink even soupy things without spoons. But no need to panic. Ask for a spoon and they will give you one. The “give me a spoon” request is thoughtfully written in Korean.
I ate it so deliciously. Even writing this post, I am getting hungry and salivating. I want to eat it again. Next time in Fukuoka, this will be my first stop. Oh, and I met again the friends I had shared a boat with at this restaurant.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in June 2016 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.