It has grown on me!: Top 3 Seafood Restaurants to Visit Around Hakata

My husband and I are planning to stay in Hakata, Fukuoka for our next trip to Japan. Since Fukuoka is our hometown, we’re excited to visit and indulge in its popular local foods. Fukuoka is renowned for its rich culinary culture, offering a variety of delicious dishes such as tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko, and fresh seafood1. I’ve already created a list of restaurants we want to try, and we’re looking forward to savoring the unique flavors that Fukuoka has to offer.

The List of Foods I Want to Enjoy in Fukuoka

・Tempura

・Udon Noodles with Burdock Root Tempura

・Fresh Seafood

Today, my article will be all about fresh seafood restaurants.

Fresh Seafood (海鮮)

Hakata is famous for its fresh seafood due to its proximity to the rich fishing grounds of the Genkai Sea and its vibrant fish markets, like Nagahama Fish Market, which ensure a daily supply of fresh catches. The area is home to numerous top-notch seafood restaurants. Today, I’ll introduce you to three must-visit spots.

1. Shokudo Hamakani (食堂はまかに)

Shokudo Hamakani (食堂はまかに) specializes in seafood dishes, particularly horse mackerel (鯵, アジ). They are renowned for their deep-fried horse mackerel (アジフライ), using live, sashimi-grade fish fried fresh at the restaurant. I would love to try their Aji Aji Tsukushi Teishoku (アジ鯵尽くし定食), a combo meal featuring both fresh sashimi and fried horse mackerel. The restaurant is located a 20-minute walk from JR Hakata Station.

Shokudo Hamakani (食堂はまかに)

1 Chome-6-13 Haruyoshi

Chuo Ward, Fukuoka

Open:

Monday: 5:30 pm through 12 am

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 11 am through 3 pm and 5:30 through 12 am

Friday and Saturday: 11 am through 3 pm and 5:30 through 1 am

Sunday: 11 am through 3 pm and 5 pm through 11 pm

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400103/40066002/

In this YouTube video, you can see freshly deep-fried horse mackerel and sashimi being prepared at Shokudo Hamakani (食堂はまかに).

2. Hakata Makanaiya (博多まかない屋)

At Hakata Makanaiya (博多まかない屋), you can enjoy very fresh seafood, including live squid sashimi, at reasonable prices. I’m looking forward to trying their sashimi teishoku (刺身盛り合わせ定食), a fresh sashimi combo. The restaurant is a 12-minute walk from JR Hakata Station

Hakata Makanaiya (博多まかない屋)

2 Chome-15-3 Sumiyoshi

Hakata Ward, Fukuoka

Open:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 5 pm to 10 pm　

Hakata Makanaiya Offical Website: https://makanaiyahakata.owst.jp/en/

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400101/40020313/

They used to be open for lunch, but now they only operate in the evenings. However, they still offer a fantastic combo menu for dinner.

3. Shokudo Mitsu (食堂光)

Shokudo Mitsu (食堂光) is located in Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba (柳橋連合市場), a famous food market in Fukuoka. Operated by Nakanishi Sengyoten (仲西鮮魚店), a local fishmonger, this seafood restaurant ensures customers enjoy the freshest fish dishes. However, its popularity with tourists means you should expect a long wait. The restaurant is a 20-minute walk from JR Hakata Station.

Shokudo Mitsu (食堂光)

Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba

1-6-1 Haruyoshi,

Chuo Ward, Fukuoka

Open:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10 am through 2 pm and 5:30 through 9 pm

Wednesday and Holiday: 10 am through 2 pm

This is the Link for This Restaurant on Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400103/40062132/