You can't talk about "Hakata Yakitori" without mentioning the delicious pork belly! Recommended courses from popular restaurants (Fukuoka)

Hello. I'm Shou Fujita, a gourmet writer whose appetite is whetted by the aroma of charcoal fire.

This time, we will introduce you to a popular yakitori restaurant in Imaizumi where you can enjoy authentic "Hakata yakitori" in a sophisticated atmosphere.

A famous "Hakata Yakitori" restaurant! "Yakitori Hachibei Tenjin Branch" (Imaizumi, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City)

About a 6-minute walk from the south exit of Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, turn off National Route 202 and head down an alley on the Imaizumi side to find Yakitori Yabei Tenjin Branch.

This famous restaurant has a clean space that is welcoming to young people and women, and allows you to experience authentic "Hakata yakitori."

Image: Sho Fujita

Yakitori Yabei started in 1983 in a corner of a butcher shop in Maebara Shopping Street in Itoshima City.

Their "Hakata-style" yakitori, which is skewered and grilled not only chicken but also pork and beef, became a hot topic, and they have grown into a popular restaurant with nine stores nationwide, as well as branches in Thailand and Hawaii.

The Tenjin branch, which opened in 2000, has also garnered popularity for its sophisticated interior and extensive menu, and is well-known as one of Fukuoka's leading yakitori restaurants.

Image: Sho Fujita

There are two types of seating inside the restaurant: counter seats surrounding the grill in the open kitchen, and raised table seats.

The large exhaust duct effectively sucks in smoke, allowing you to dine comfortably without worrying about odors or smoke.

Image: Sho Fujita

The restaurant is often fully booked even on weekdays, but if you go earlier in the day or after 8 p.m. you'll likely be able to get in relatively quickly.

The restaurant is open until midnight, so you can use it as a second stop or for a late dinner.

Image: Sho Fujita

The display cases around the counter are lined with their proud selection of ingredients, mainly from Kyushu.

Image: Sho Fujita

In addition to the standard skewers, there are 24 kinds of yakitori on offer, including "Maki Kushi" (rolled skewers) with cheese or vegetables wrapped in meat, and "Specially Selected Skewers" made with high-quality ingredients such as Wagyu beef and shrimp.

Image: Sho Fujita

Yakitori is grilled at high temperature in one go. By spraying it with pure rice wine, it becomes fluffy and fragrant.

Image: Sho Fujita

Among the a la carte dishes, the popular ones are the "Sesame Amberjack" (1,180 yen), which is perfect as a drinking snack, and the "Cheese Tofu" (630 yen), which is eaten with bread.

The most popular course order! Enjoy the "Special Kushi Sanmai Course"

On this day, I ordered the "Special Skewers Course" (3,800 yen), which allows you to enjoy a full range of popular menu items, including five types of standard skewers, special skewers, and the specialty "Fried Pea Skewers" (280 yen each).

Image: Sho Fujita

small bowl

The daily side dish is "Tomato compote."

Image: Sho Fujita

The juicy tomatoes are sweet and juicy with almost no sourness, and the cool, refreshing jelly makes this the perfect summer dish.

salad

The salad is "Hachibei Farm Salad," a dish that brings together about 10 kinds of colorful vegetables.

Summer vegetables such as zucchini and peppers, and fragrantly roasted lotus root and pumpkin can be enjoyed in a balanced way with a rich, sweet dressing.

Image: Sho Fujita

Charbroiled shrimp with head

The "Charcoal Grilled Shrimp with Head" included in the course is a premium skewer menu item that costs 1,080 yen per skewer if ordered separately.

Image: Sho Fujita

One bite into the bouncy shrimp, scented with the aroma of charcoal, and you'll be enveloped in a luxurious feeling of satisfaction.

Deep-fried pea skewers

The specialty menu item at Yakitori Yabei Tenjin Branch is the deep-fried pea skewers.

Image: Sho Fujita

Pea paste is coated in batter and deep fried, giving it a fluffy and creamy texture similar to the croquettes you'd find in Western restaurants.

The slightly tingling sansho salt tightens the dish, bringing out the gentle umami of the peas.

5 types of skewers

The five types of skewers on this day were pork belly, gizzard shavings, chicken wings, chicken liver, and meatballs.

The most popular a la carte item is the pork belly (photo below), which is crispy and fragrant on the outside and very juicy on the inside.

The spiciness and rich aroma of shichimi pepper create a deep flavor.

Image: Sho Fujita

The [Gizzard shad] (center photo) has an addictive chewy texture, and the large [Chicken Wings] (top photo) have a spicy flavor with a punch of black pepper.

The moist and smooth chicken liver is another memorable dish.

Image: Sho Fujita

The rich, full-bodied flavor of the liver goes perfectly with the sharp spiciness of Japanese mustard.

The sauce has been added to since the restaurant first opened, and is characterized by its sweet flavor, made with Itoshima soy sauce.

Image: Sho Fujita

The [Tsukune], accented by the crunchy texture of cartilage, is a dish that allows you to fully enjoy the flavor of the sauce.

Image: Sho Fujita

It has a rich flavour and is a very satisfying dish.

Specially selected skewers

From the daily special skewers, I tried the Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki Skewers, which is popular among foreign tourists.

Image: Sho Fujita

This luxurious skewer of Kyushu-produced Wagyu beef is wrapped around enoki mushrooms and chrysanthemum, and coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. The thick egg yolk adds an even richer flavor.

Grilled rice balls

The "yaki-onigiri" rice balls, grilled over charcoal together with the yakitori, are the perfect size for finishing off a meal.

Image: Sho Fujita

The crispy grilled soy sauce flavored rice balls are layered with the aroma of sesame and bonito flakes, and are sandwiched between shiso leaves for a refreshing aftertaste.

soup

The "Chicken Soup" is mildly seasoned with less salt, yet still allows you to fully enjoy the delicious flavor of chicken.

Image: Sho Fujita

It had a mild flavor that made me want to sip each bite slowly.

Sesame pudding

For dessert, we offer "Sesame Pudding," which has a rich sesame flavor and a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Image: Sho Fujita

The deep sweetness and richness of the slightly bitter brown sugar syrup is the perfect complement to the aftertaste of this course.

Image: Sho Fujita

Yakitori Yabei Tenjin Branch combines reliable flavor with a comfortable atmosphere.

If you are looking for a truly delicious yakitori restaurant in Fukuoka, this is a famous restaurant that you should visit at least once. (Text by Sho Fujita)

＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■ Yakitori Yabei Tenjin branch
Address: 1F Noila Tenjin, 2-5-28 Imaizumi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 17:00-24:00 (last orders 23:30)
Closed: Tuesdays (from July 22, 2025)
*This article is current as of the time of publication. *Prices in the text include tax.
* Any secondary use of the content of this site (images, text, etc.) such as duplication, reproduction, conversion, or modification without permission is strictly prohibited. If found to be in violation of this rule, legal action may be taken.

#Fukuoka gourmet Check them all out!
#Tenjin area　#Izakaya　#Meat dish　
⇒【NEW】Click here for the latest information on Fukuoka

＜Other articles you may like＞
◆[Fukuoka, Hirao] A hidden restaurant run by a talented chef
◆[One Building] Premium Western-style lunch
◆[Daimyo Lunch] Great value for money Popular Chinese food