Hakatarou

Top choice in Fukuoka


If you can't visit the rest of Kyūshū, try regional foods at this elegant izakaya. Look for dishes like karashi renkon (spicy, deep-fried lotus root) and basashi (horsemeat sashimi) from Kumamoto, grilled Shimabara chicken, Kagoshima kurobuta (black pork), and Hakata ramen salad and mizutaki and gameni chicken stews, plus a huge selection of Kyūshū sake and shōchū (strong distilled liquor).

It's secluded atop a shopping building, but once you're inside, friendly, kimono-clad staff are all too eager to serve.


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