Hakata Motsunabe Yamanaka Akasaka

Hakata Motsunabe Yamanaka (Akasaka Branch) is an upscale motsu-nabe restaurant in Fukuoka City. It has a strict adults-only atmosphere (no children of high-school age or younger), with a refined, high-end feel. They use fresh domestic beef small intestines (shochou), and the restaurant’s stance—carefully selected ingredients served to carefully selected guests—creates an unmistakably “luxury” mood from the moment you step inside. Reservations are also said to be hard to secure. The main motsu-nabe comes in three styles: miso, soy sauce, and a shabu-shabu style. There are side dishes, but motsu-nabe is clearly the star. Going with a group is recommended so you can try multiple flavors. The rich broth is described as having a clean finish—almost like magic. The motsu is purchased the morning of the day it is served, described as so fresh it feels like a whole new genre. For the finale, you typically finish with champon noodles, and zosui (rice porridge) is also possible. Access is about a 3-minute walk from Akasaka Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line.