When Japanese visit Fukuoka, sushi tops their “to eat” list. Fish here is abundant, extremely fresh and reasonably priced. Increasingly, more foreign visitors are also coming to sample the double delight of sushi and sake. Not far from Hakata Station is Sushi Taro, a must-stop sushi shop. Owner Taro Fujii, who previously trained in Fukuoka and Spain, says the secret to Fukuoka’s cuisine is the city’s geography – Fukuoka is surrounded on all sides by great fishing grounds. To maximize the flavor of each ingredient, different types of vinegar are added to the rice depending on the topping, true to the Edo style (which originated in old Tokyo). Fujii uses the best local seafood (as well as premium quality tuna flown in from Tokyo) and accents the food with chic dishes from all over Japan. The chef’s menu comes with five to seven items, including 11 pieces of sushi (numbers change daily). To drink, there is Lebanese wine and 15 kinds of sake. Book early (by phone or via hotel reception) – there are only eight counter seats!
Menu (tax incl.): omakase (chef’s recommendation) ¥10,800, sake ¥1,000~, wine per glass ¥1,000~¥1,500
*Prices to change from Oct. 1, 2019 following tax increase
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn219, Mar. 2017)
