Hello.
I'm hungry again today! It's Harapeko-chan!
————Store Details————————————
Store Name: Torizen
Nearest Station: 8 minutes walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station
Address: 〒810-0002
Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward, Nishinakasu 4-9
Business Hours: Monday to Thursday: 17:30 – 00:00
Friday and Saturday: 17:30 – 1:00
Closed: Sunday
Budget: ¥5000 – ¥6000
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This time, I visited "Torizen," located an 8-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station, to enjoy Mizutaki, a well-known dish in Fukuoka that not many people know about. The restaurant offers delicious Mizutaki with a view of the Nakagawa River!
I've noticed there are surprisingly few places that serve a proper Mizutaki course starting with a well-made broth, but it's wonderful to enjoy delicious Mizutaki in a cozy atmosphere with a view of the Nakagawa River, especially considering it's one of the rare Mizutaki restaurants.
At "Torizen," all the chicken dishes use a brand chicken called "Hanamidori," which is raised in the rich nature of Northern Kyushu. The chicken broth for Mizutaki is full of umami, and the chicken is delightfully served with ponzu sauce for a refreshing taste.
Here's what I ordered:
【Sesame Mackerel】
Perfect match of plump mackerel and rich sesame sauce!
【Tsukune (Chicken Meatballs)】
Heavily packed tsukune♡ Mixing the rich yolk and sweet sauce together to dip the meatball was the best!
【Hakata Mizutaki】
The clear chicken broth is infused into the vegetables and ingredients, and the moment you taste it, the umami spreads in your mouth—it’s simply amazing♪
The interior features counter seats with wall-to-wall glass, tatami rooms, and table seating for a more casual dining experience, making it suitable for various occasions.
Once again, Harapeko-chan is completely satisfied!
Thank you for the meal.
Hello.
I'm starving again today! It's Harapeko-chan!
————Store Details————————————
Store Name: OKINI'S TABLE
Nearest Station: 16-minute walk from Takeshita Station
Address: 〒812-0893
Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Hakata Ward, Naka 6-chome, MARKET 351 23-1 Lalaport Fukuoka 1F
Business Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Closed: None
Budget: ¥1000 to ¥2000
————————————————————
This time, I visited 'OKINI'S TABLE', a popular spot where you can choose your favorite from a variety of vegetable salad menus, run by a wholesale produce specialty store, located a 16-minute walk from Takeshita Station!
Located on the 1st floor of Lalaport Fukuoka within 'MARKET 351', which is managed by a wholesale produce specialty store, 'OKINI’S TABLE' is a great place to enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits that can only be offered by a wholesale store. Additionally, since it’s a new type of establishment combining a grocery store and restaurant, there is a market corner on the same premises where you can actually purchase the ingredients being served; it's wonderful to be able to find delicious vegetables and take them home.
Upon entering the store, I was greeted by a showcase lined with a variety of vegetable-rich menus, which were colorful and exciting. Besides vegetables, they also offered American-sized pizzas cut from a diameter of about 50 cm that overflowed from the serving platter, and desserts made with plenty of fruit, making it suitable for café use as well.
Menu I ordered:
【Gourmet Meat Salad】
I could pick 3 dishes from the deli menu for my own delightful one-plate meal! It also came with a baguette, allowing me to enjoy it with my favorite salad. The vegetables were very sweet, fresh, and delicious.
【Fruit Tart】
A luxurious fruit tart with kiwi, strawberries, mandarins, and grapes♡ The fruits were juicy, and the tart crust was crispy, creating a perfect combination.
Inside, there is an eat-in space that serves as a shared area for dining establishments in the area. Several table seats are available, and the room is spacious with good sunlight, creating a comfortable atmosphere. It was also nice that you could catch a glimpse of the giant Gundam from the window.
Once again, Harapeko-chan is full!
Thank you for the meal!
The environment in the store is very clean and tidy, with two seating areas: one is the regular seating area and the other is the bar.
The store provides water and miso soup for self-service.
The beef bowl originally costs $129, and the meat portion can be increased for an additional $169. Overall, it is quite flavorful, delicious, and very satisfying, with a generous amount of meat.
Clam udon is $139. The noodles paired with the broth are very flavorful and delicious, and there are quite a few clams provided.
Two scallops are $99. The scallops are quite large, and they taste amazing with wasabi.
Hello.
I'm hungry again today! It's Harapekochan!
———— Store Details ————————————
Store Name: IDOL
Nearest Station: 8 minutes walk from Omotesando Station
Address: 〒107-0062
Minato-ku, Aoyama 5-11-9, Aoyama Building B1, Tokyo
Business Hours: Lunch: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM / Dinner: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Closed: None
Budget: Lunch: ¥1000 – ¥2000
Dinner: ¥4000 – ¥5000
—————————————————————
Just an 8-minute walk from Omotesando Station! I went to 'IDOL' where you can enjoy a harmony of creative cuisine and wine in a unique underground space!
There were many menu options that you can enjoy for both lunch and dinner.
The creative dishes, prepared using carefully selected seasonal ingredients such as lobster and Wagyu beef, had a surprising taste.
Of course, the food! The drink menu is also rich and offers about 50 varieties focusing on natural wines from various regions in Europe that pair well with innovative Japanese and Western cuisine, including white, rosé, sparkling wines, and cocktails, so you can enjoy perfect pairings with the rich menu!
Additionally, there are special plans for birthdays and anniversaries, as well as decorated rooms and surprise performances to create unforgettable moments.
It's perfect for various occasions, whether for everyday use, meals, entertaining, or business meetings.
The menu I ordered this time:
【Mentaiko Cream Omelette Rice with Burnt Butter Soy Sauce Aroma】
The generous amount of mentaiko cream looks delicious and whets the appetite. Underneath the fluffy eggs is rice, and when you break the eggs and mix them with the mentaiko cream, it was incredibly delicious!
*Due to its popularity, availability is limited.
The interior was a spacious area primarily decorated in white, far beyond what I imagined from the entrance, featuring a high degree of originality. The large sofa seats, a shining chandelier overhead, and the cute white brick walls were delightful.
Once again, I'm completely satisfied!
Thank you for the meal.
Hello.
I'm starving again today! This is Harapeko-chan!
————Store Details————————————
Store Name: Dogo Inari Yunoya
Nearest Station: 1 minute walk from Dogo Onsen Station
Address: 〒790-0842
3-10 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture
Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed: Thursdays
Budget: ¥1000
————————————————————
This time, I visited the colorful and cute inari specialty store 'Yunoya', which is just a 1-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Station!
Since starting operations, they have been featured on TV and other media, and the store has been selling out continuously. The inari sushi in the showcase is so cute that it overturns the concept of inari, and the variety of toppings and their colorful and gorgeous appearance make them look just like sweets!
The "aburaage" (fried tofu) for the inari is fully infused with dashi (broth), and you can tell just by looking at it how well it has soaked in. They are particular about the ingredients as well, using the rice from Sugasan's hometown, Uwajima City, which is known for its specialty, Mikame Rice. They have tried various types and blends to select the one that best suits the sushi rice for inari! The sushi rice is not sharp, but has a gentle flavor. The rice grains are firm, and you can savor each one as you eat.
Menu I ordered this time:
【Inari】
Currently, it seems they are only offering takeout, so please enjoy Yunoya's inari at a nearby park or bench! ♫
Once again, Harapeko-chan is fully satisfied!
Thank you for the meal.
The omakase dining experience is actually becoming more popular in Taiwan, with many omakase restaurants opening one after another. However, the quality and freshness can vary greatly! The restaurant I visited today originally started as a seated dining establishment, which I believe many aficionados of Japanese cuisine have at least heard of. After they opened this omakase restaurant, I've come a few times. This time, I brought an American friend who was visiting Taiwan for a special treat!
Even at the entrance, my friend was pleasantly surprised by the service here. Once we were seated in a private booth on the second floor, my friend was completely amazed—it really felt exclusive!
Each booth is assigned a chef and a server. Both provided excellent service. The chef was not only enthusiastic but also very professional in preparing the dishes! The explanations were thorough, allowing us to understand every dish we tasted! The nearby server was also very attentive, constantly observing and handling any situation that arose, ensuring the atmosphere remained clean and comfortable!
I genuinely feel that every dish was very fresh and had its own unique characteristics… several dishes were particularly special and surprising! I must mention the:
❤️ Lobster Kanzake
This dish is a completely original creation from this restaurant. The traditional Kanzake is usually steamed, but here it’s made in a tempura style! The lobster in the middle was firm and bouncy, and the coating wasn’t just any flour; it had a subtle nutty aroma. Paired with the sauce made from pine nuts and macadamia nuts at the bottom, the overall combination not only enhanced the lobster's sweetness but also harmonized with the nutty oil!
❤️ Persimmon Seed Scallops
This dish uses the seeds of persimmons. The outer batter has the aroma of Japanese bagels, while the scallops in the middle were unbeatable! Juicy and incredibly bouncy, each bite provided immense satisfaction and happiness!
❤️ Grapefruit and Wagyu
True to its name, this is also a concept exclusive to this restaurant! Their wagyu beef melts in your mouth, paired with a sauce at the bottom and some grapefruit on top… the rich fat of the wagyu is perfectly balanced, making it not feel greasy at all! This wagyu opened my friend's eyes, who came from America, and he kept saying how delicious it was and wanted to have another serving!
We spent over two hours dining in total, enjoying 21 courses! For me as a girl, it was enough to make me feel stuffed—guys could also eat until full! If that wasn’t enough, we could even order another serving of the clay pot rice at the end!
I personally highly recommend this restaurant—I hope to have the time to try their seasonal menu changes as well!
If you crave fried food, whether it's pork cutlets or fried oysters, it's worth making a special trip to enjoy them, or if you suddenly feel like snacking, the second floor of Taipei Main Station is really a very convenient place. Of course, if you're worried about not getting a seat, you can also make a reservation in advance, which is quite convenient. Whether for a solo meal or a gathering with friends, this place offers a great setting. The fried pork cutlet is not greasy, tender, and the fried oysters have a surprisingly delightful texture, unexpectedly delicious.
The restaurant doesn't have many seats, and quite a few customers opt for takeout.
The beef sukiyaki rice bowl is $120, and the portion is just right. Each side dish is quite delicious, including the broccoli, egg roll, and tofu, all of which are well-prepared. The beef is served with onions, and overall, I am very satisfied.
The fried pork cutlet curry rice is $180, and it comes with the same side dishes: broccoli, egg roll, and tofu. The tofu is very flavorful. However, the highlight is the fried pork cutlet; you can tell that only a skilled chef could make such delicious pork cutlet. It pairs really well with the curry sauce, making it an outstanding dish overall.
I quite often come here to dine, and I'm generally very satisfied with almost every dish. The owner's attitude is also very friendly. 👍
Overall Review: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Dickson's Fooday Food Review #263
This visit is to one of the top Japanese kaiseki sushi restaurants in Taipei.
There are indeed many renowned high-end Japanese kaiseki restaurants in Taipei, and all of them are quite expensive.
Yet despite this, they are often fully booked, making it difficult to get a reservation.
This is mainly because there are usually only one or two chefs in the restaurant, which limits the number of guests they can attend to simultaneously.
Additionally, there are ingredients and other material aspects that need to be managed.
Japanese kaiseki and sushi emphasize freshness and the quality of ingredients.
This explains why even though many restaurants are quite pricey, they are still in high demand!
This time, I had a friend visiting from the United States who had been thinking about trying some high-end sushi cuisine, but many of these Japanese kaiseki restaurants are hard to book.
Luckily, I found a spot available on an online platform, so we quickly made a reservation!
The booking process for this restaurant is categorized by different times and types—currently, there are options for kaiseki or sushi.
The kaiseki category tends to be a combination of various Japanese dishes, rather than predominantly sushi.
Of course, the sushi category focuses more on presenting sushi dishes.
You can check out the detailed menu on the restaurant's website to see if you prefer a variety of Japanese dishes or lean more towards sushi.
The content of the menu varies depending on different time slots, and thus, the prices are not quite the same.
The difference between lunch and dinner is about $500, but the number of courses offered at lunch is also fewer than at dinner.
So, you may choose which slot to book based on your timing needs and the menu content!
Since it’s quite rare to have such an expensive meal, I was definitely looking forward to trying it!
I can only say that in terms of the variety and quality of the food, it was exceptional and delicious!
The service was also very attentive. Since that day, only my friend and I were in the private room, all the staff was focused on serving just the two of us. 😂😂😂
Even the chef prepared dishes just for us!
You could say we received exceptional service and enjoyment.
Of course, there were also other guests in the restaurant, but they were seated in separate private rooms.
It seems that this place is indeed a gathering spot for dignitaries and celebrities!
Regarding various types of Japanese cuisine, everything was notably delicious and well-prepared.
However, even though every dish was tasty, I feel it lacked particularly memorable highlights.
I can say that each dish was quite impressive throughout the meal, but when reflecting back, I struggle to articulate exactly what made them so good. 😂😂
So I can only say it was rather delicious!
However, considering the high price, I found myself wishing for some more extraordinary experiences. 😂
With this mindset, it felt a bit regrettable, because if I were to dine somewhere slightly less exclusive, spending about half the price might yield only a small dip in overall flavor.
Indeed, this gives a feeling of elitism—where we have to spend 80% more to get just 20% extra in real progress. 😂😂😂
I can only say that the food here is genuinely delicious, but poverty limits our imagination, leading to a bit of heartache for my wallet. 😂😂😂
Food: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Drinks: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Atmosphere: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖
Service: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Price: 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
⭐️Food Section
Among various Japanese kaiseki dishes, nearly everything was incredibly delicious!
Although each serving is small in Japanese cuisine, each bite brings a different kind of enjoyment!
The fish and other ingredients used here are quite fresh, and the chef's cooking methods are very professional, so I found each dish excellent!
One highlight was the A5 Wagyu beef; the cut of beef varies on different days.
The chef is quite thoughtful and uses a whiteboard to draw and share what cut of beef is being used that day.
This part was also quite interesting!
Although the beef did not stand out as exceptional, it was still above average and enjoyable!
Another impressive dish was the sea urchin, served generously.
It tasted fresh and delicious, and my dining companion remarked that the flavor was just what he wanted—with no bitterness.
Additionally, another memorable dish was the large piece of fish sushi—eating it in one bite was an incredible experience!
Although I've forgotten what type of fish it was, it was indeed very fresh and tasty!
At the end of the meal, we were served fried rice as a main dish!
Since it was just my friend and I in the dining area, we could take home the extra fried rice.
The entire pot of fried rice was for us! 😂😂😂
It turned out to be quite a bargain!
Overall, I feel that every dish was remarkably delicious and unique.
However, as mentioned earlier, the price here is quite high, raising my expectations tremendously.
Yet I think it would be better to enjoy slightly less expensive and more average dishes. 🥹
Indeed, poverty limits our imagination!
But if you have deep pockets, I highly recommend the food here!
⭐️Drink Section
On that day with my friend, we each ordered a glass of yuzu liquor and plum wine.
Although I’m not sure what specific drinks we ordered that day, I thought both were quite good, and they paired well with the Japanese dishes!
⭐️Atmosphere Section
This Japanese kaiseki restaurant is located within a building, also housing a well-known strait club.
Basically, it’s situated within an area of the strait club.
It's relatively easy to get lost in this basement as the signage isn’t very clear.
However, when you walk in the door, there’s a reception area where you can find staff to ask for assistance.
Moreover, this restaurant has many private rooms available for use—making it perfect for various gatherings among celebrities and government officials!
The atmosphere of our dining area was also quite pleasant.
The space is designed in the basic style of a Japanese restaurant, where the chef prepares food in front while other guests enjoy their meals at the bar.
Since it was just my friend and I that day, we effectively had the place to ourselves, creating a great atmosphere!
We had dedicated service from the staff for just the two of us!
The overall ambiance was very suitable for family reunions or gatherings with friends.
It would also be a great spot for a date if you're looking to bring someone special!
Of course, the prerequisite is that you must have some financial capability. 😂😂😂
⭐️Service Section
As previously noted, since it was only my friend and I in the private space that day, the staff mainly attended to just us two.
The chef also cooked only for the two of us.
Regarding the service from the staff, each time a dish was served, they detailed what kind of fish or ingredients were used and where they originated from, explaining its special characteristics.
Yet, we all know that the ingredients in Japanese cuisine are quite numerous and the sources complex, making it difficult to remember each one.
So while listening, I became slightly bewildered. 😂😂
Nevertheless, you could really feel that the staff was very knowledgeable about the food!
⭐️Price Section
Even though the food here is extremely tasty, the price of $6000 per person is a bit daunting.
As I mentioned earlier, we spent 80% more for just a 20% enhancement in flavor.
Poverty truly limits our imagination! 😂😂
I can only say it's quite tasty, but I would likely take a conservative stance on revisiting given these prices. 🥹🥹🥹
Perhaps I should wait until I'm doing better financially before returning for a peaceful dining experience! 😂
⭐️In summary
Based solely on the flavors and deliciousness of the food, I personally highly recommend it.
After all, you can feel the chef's dedication in every dish, and each dish is delicious!
So if you’re someone who enjoys exploring high-priced Japanese cuisine, you should definitely try this place; you won’t regret it!
But the prerequisite is that you need to have deep pockets! 😂😂😂
In short, aside from the price, there's nothing bad about it. 🥲🥲🥲
Here’s the translation to English:
A high-value business lunch during weekdays, with different prices based on the main course. You can choose from appetizers, vegetables, rice dishes, and fried items, along with soup and dessert.
Let me share two major advantages:
👍 The portion size for the entire business lunch is so filling that you can skip dinner.
👍 The other side dishes are impressive, with some even surpassing the main course.
【Main Course】
Mixed Skewers 🍢 Set for $399
Grilled Angel Red Shrimp (5 skewers) 🦐 Set for $399
👍 Besides being very fresh, the presence of shrimp paste is a big plus.
【Appetizers】
Sashimi Salad 🥗
It's basically a lettuce salad with added sashimi, and the corn is meant to be bitten into.
🥹 Just a personal quibble: having been here before, I felt that this time the seared sashimi had more tendons than last time, making it a bit hard to chew.
Shrimp Roe Onion Salad 🥗
Shrimp roe and onions paired with a vinegar dressing; those who love a strong onion flavor will really enjoy this. Overall, it's a bit spicy but also quite refreshing.
【Vegetables】
Sesame Shrimp Spinach Rolls 🥬
It's the flavor combination you would expect, but there's another vegetable dish that surprised me more ⬇️
Wild Mushroom Fiddlehead Ferns 🥬
I personally don't like mushrooms, but my friend loves them, so I decided to order this dish. I originally underestimated it, but after taking a bite, it immediately became a must-order side dish on my list.
👍 It seems they used sesame oil and other unique seasonings to enhance the special flavors of the mushrooms, making it more aromatic and tasty (even those who dislike mushroom flavors might want to give it a try; it could break their stereotypes).
👍 The two crunchy ingredients, fiddlehead ferns and mushrooms, combined together create a wonderful texture.
【Rice Dishes】
Two Pieces of Sushi 🍣
Seared sashimi sushi; the seared sashimi on that day had more tendons than mentioned earlier, making it hard to bite.
Assorted Sushi 🍣
Two rice paddy sushi pieces and two flower sushi pieces.
👍 The proportions are just right; the flower sushi doesn’t overwhelm with cucumber flavor, and the rice paddy sushi isn’t overly sweet from the tofu skin.
👍 Delicious and very generous portions.
【Fried Items】
Karaage Fried Chicken 🍤 performed normally.
👍 Paired with pink mayonnaise, it’s refreshing and not greasy.
Tofu with Salmon Roe 🍤 A tofu dish topped with salmon roe, bonito flakes, grated daikon, and chopped green onions.
👍 It may seem like a simple dish, but you can feel the chef’s attention to detail. The warmth of the tofu combined with the saltiness of the roe, paired with the grated daikon and other ingredients for balance, makes it very harmonious.
【Soup】
Fresh Fish Miso Soup 🍲 The soup contains salmon meat, tofu, and carrots.
👍 It's brewed with natural ingredients, not using flavor packets, so it doesn’t have that uncomfortable bitterness.
👍 The fish and other ingredients are quite generous.
Clam Soup 🍲 +59 yuan extra
I originally underestimated the idea of having to pay extra for clam soup, but when the boss lady served the soup with a rich fresh aroma accompanied by a hint of alcohol, I knew I was wrong.
👍 Just the smell is delightful. It tastes both refreshing and carries the natural delicateness from the clams—another simple but wonderfully representative dish.
👍 The clams, as shown in the photo, are fresh and plentiful, making it worth the extra charge!
【Dessert】
Mochi: Be careful, it’s hot. It’s fresh milk mochi, so it quickly melts in your mouth, and it’s coated in peanut powder—simple and beautiful.
✔️ There are four tables for two and four people each. During weekdays around noon, it gets quite busy with only about three tables left.
✔️ Many retired elderly people gather for meals in groups of 4-6 during weekdays.
✔️ Parking: There are many motorcycle parking spots in the front; for cars, you need to look for parking spaces or park in a public parking lot.
✔️ Cash payment after the meal.
✔️ I heard it gets busier during the evening at the izakaya, and there are many à la carte options on the board, such as exciting caterpillar sushi. I recommend making a reservation for dinner!
