A popular restaurant in Kokura has been renovated! "Delicious enough to make you want to come back" A taste report of the motsunabe, mizutaki, and aged wagyu beef (Kitakyushu City)

Hello. This is Chihilog, a casual blog that provides information about Fukuoka, with a focus on gourmet food.

This time, we will introduce you to a popular restaurant in Kokura that has recently reopened.

The long-awaited reopening of "Koraa Gen" (Kajicho, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City), a restaurant serving aged Wagyu beef, motsunabe (offal hotpot), and mizutaki (chicken hotpot)

Since its opening in February 2007, Koraa Gen has been a beloved motsunabe and mizutaki specialty restaurant in Kokura.

The restaurant was closed for a while from May 2023, but on September 8th it relocated to its sister restaurant, the former Tanharami Gen store in Kajicho, and resumed business.

It is a 5-minute walk from JR Kokura Station and a 1-minute walk from Kitakyushu Monorail Heiwadori Station.

Image: CHIHIRO

The current staff has faithfully inherited and recreated the flavors of the previous generation. In addition to the motsunabe and mizutaki of "Koraa Gen," you can now enjoy dishes such as Kuroge Wagyu beef harami-yaki and aged beef tongue that were served at "Tanharami Gen."

The interior of the store is a stylish space with an irresistible Japanese atmosphere.

Image: CHIHIRO

In addition to table seating, there are also counter seats in the back that are easy to visit even if you're alone.

Image: CHIHIRO

There is also a tatami room on the second floor that can accommodate large groups. It looks like it will be very popular from now until the end of the year.

Image: CHIHIRO

Introducing our featured menu

The menu at Koraa Gen includes courses such as the "Motsunabe Course" (3,500 yen per person), "Mizutaki Course" (4,500 yen per person), "Aged Beef Tongue Course" (6,000 yen per person), and "Japanese Black Beef Skirt Steak Course" (6,000 yen per person), as well as a wide variety of single dishes. *All courses can be ordered in portions of two or more.

This time, we enjoyed the individual dishes, so we will introduce them in detail one by one.

The appetizer is chawanmushi

The appetizer is chawanmushi (500 yen), which is no exaggeration to say is the specialty of Koraa Gen.

The soup used is made from beef bones that have been extracted over a long period of time, giving it an irresistible, deep flavor.

Image: CHIHIRO

The salmon roe-like thing on top is actually ponzu jelly.

The rich flavor of the chawanmushi and the mellow acidity of the jelly create an exquisite balance.

Image: CHIHIRO

There are three types of specialty motsunabe

Whenever someone asks me where I can find a good motsunabe restaurant, I always answer, "Koraa Gen!" I love the motsunabe at this restaurant!

The "Motsunabe" (1,650 yen per person) comes in three flavors: miso, soy sauce, and salt. This time I ordered the miso flavor.

Image: CHIHIRO (photo shows 2 servings)

The special soup, brewed over a long period of time, is packed with the delicious flavors of domestic Kuroge Wagyu beef tripe and domestic vegetables.

The refined taste of miso is the best!

The fluffy, chewy taste of the tripe is truly impressive.

Image: CHIHIRO

To finish off the hot pot, we ordered the "Shime no Noodles" (440 yen).

Image: CHIHIRO

Adding noodles and tasting it as a noodle soup gives it a completely different flavor! I was very satisfied until the very end.

Image: CHIHIRO

Another specialty: Mizutaki

This is the "Mizutaki" (2,860 yen per portion), with its irresistible flavor from the soup that's been carefully brewed over a long period of time.

Image: CHIHIRO (photo shows 2 servings)

First, take a sip of the soup and you'll be surprised by how light yet rich the chicken flavor is.

After that, add the meatballs.

Image: CHIHIRO (photo shows 2 servings)

After adding the fishballs, take another sip of the soup. It also tastes better if you add a pinch of salt from the table.

According to the staff, the soup tastes best after adding the fishballs!

Image: CHIHIRO (photo shows 2 servings)

Then add plenty of vegetables and tofu to finish.

The meat is juicy and tender, and the vegetables, which have absorbed the flavor of the meat and soup, are so delicious you'll want to eat as much as you want.

Image: CHIHIRO (photo shows 2 servings)

To enjoy every last bit of the soup, you must also order the "Rice Porridge" (440 yen). It was truly delicious!

Image: CHIHIRO

Grilled aged beef tongue

This is the signature dish of the former "Tanharami Gen" restaurant, "Aged Grilled Beef Tongue" (4,070 yen). The gorgeous presentation of the dish, garnished with light snow salt made from rice flour and salt, kabosu citrus fruit, and salted kelp, is captivating.

Image: CHIHIRO

I was amazed at how tender and tasty the meat was.

Image: CHIHIRO

Grilled skirt steak of Japanese black beef

Another signature dish at the former Tan Harami Gen was the Grilled Black Wagyu Beef Skirt Steak (4,070 yen).

Image: CHIHIRO

I was impressed by the skill of the chef, who cooked it perfectly, making it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside! When I put it in my mouth, the sweetness spread and it was juicy and delicious.

Image: CHIHIRO

Both the [Aged Beef Tongue] and [Grilled Kuroge Wagyu Skirt Steak] can be enjoyed with a variety of condiments, such as yuzu pepper, Western wasabi, homemade green chili peppers, wasabi, homemade sauce, and homemade spicy miso.

Image: CHIHIRO

Vinegared offal

The dish I'll definitely order again next time is the "Sour Motsu" (880 yen).

It was plump and juicy, and the flavor oozed out of my mouth. It was so delicious that I sighed every time I took a bite.

Image: CHIHIRO

Thin stitch

The chef sitting next to me was amazed at the "Senmai Sashimi" (990 yen), saying, "I've rarely seen such beautiful omasum!"

Image: CHIHIRO

It is served with homemade mustard miso and special chojang sauce.

The crunchy texture was irresistible.

Image: CHIHIRO

Corn Tempura

"Corn Tempura" (770 yen) served with ago dashi-based tempura sauce and matcha salt.

It was deep fried and crispy, and had a lot of sweetness! This was also excellent.

Image: CHIHIRO

The perfect finale! Oxtail Ramen

"Tail Ramen" (1,870 yen), a favorite menu item from the old "Tanharami Gen", is also back!

The soup, which is packed with the delicious flavor of the oxtail, is rich but not too heavy, making it the perfect way to finish off a meal.

Image: CHIHIRO

The tail meat was also so tender and delicious that I couldn't stop eating it!

Image: CHIHIRO

"Koraa Gen" has become even more attractive since its renewal.

Please come and visit us. (Text by CHIHIRO)

＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■Hey Gen
Address: 1-1-15 Kajicho, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 17:00-24:00 (last orders 23:00)
Closed: Irregular
*This article is current as of the time of publication. *Prices in the text include tax.

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