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[Fukuoka's popular restaurant] A whole skewer of Spicy Fish Eggs! A must-try local delicacy: "Mentaiju" (Nishinakasu)
Hello. I'm Kawai, a writer who covers a wide range of topics, from gourmet food to town information.
In this fourth installment of our series introducing popular restaurants that have long lines, we will introduce "Genso Hakata Mentaiju Nishinakasu," a popular restaurant where you can enjoy a tiered box menu using Spicy Fish Eggs, a staple of Fukuoka cuisine.
"Original Hakata Mentai-ju Nishinakasu" (Nishinakasu, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City) is extremely popular among tourists seeking unique Fukuoka cuisine!
"Gensho Hakata Mentaiju Nishinakasu" is located just off the Fukuhaku Deai Bridge side of Tenjin Central Park.
It is one of the most popular restaurants in the Nishi-Nakasu area, attracting many domestic and international tourists.
Image: Original Hakata Mentaiko-ju
On the day the photo was taken, there were about 20 people waiting in line to check in. When the store is full and crowded, a waiting system is set up in front of the store.
It's a convenient system where you can tap the number of people coming and your phone number on the screen, and when it's your turn to be called, the phone number you registered will be contacted. You can check in first and then relax in the nearby park until you're contacted.
Image: Original Hakata Mentaiko-ju
Upon entering the store, you will find a waiting area and souvenir shop on the right, where local crafts such as folding fans and Hakata-ori obi sashes are displayed.
The restaurant has seating on the first and second floors. The first floor has three types of seating: counter seats, table seats, and private tatami rooms. Apparently, celebrities sometimes visit the tatami rooms.
The second floor is mainly table seating. The seats by the windows allow you to enjoy the view outside while you dine. In spring, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular view while savoring your meal.
Introducing the popular menu items, including "Mentaiju (R)" topped with a whole skewer of Spicy Fish Eggs!
The menu consists of Spicy Fish Eggs "Mentai Jyu (R)" (1,980 yen), which comes with a choice of rice amount from small (150g) to large (300g), and the "Mentai Jyu (R) Jo" (3,410 yen), which comes with two skewered cod roe, as well as the "Mentai Nikomi Tsukemen" (1,980 yen), which comes with a choice of noodle amount from 100g to 300g.
Image: Tomoya Kawai
Popular value set menus include the "Rice and Noodle Set" (3,410 yen), which lets you enjoy both, the "Rice and Noodle Set" (2,750 yen), which includes "Mentaiko Soup" (858 yen), and the "Rice and Noodle Soup Set" (3,850 yen, photo), which lets you enjoy both noodles and soup in luxury.
Image: Original Hakata Mentaiko-ju
Mentaiko rice bowl (R)
This time I ordered the classic menu item, "Mentaiko Rice Bowl (R)" (1,980 yen).
After a while, the long-awaited meal arrived: hot rice topped with crispy shredded seaweed, the main dish of konbu-wrapped Spicy Fish Eggs, shiso leaves, and chili threads.
Image: Tomoya Kawai
The main Spicy Fish Eggs, is a high-quality dish with distinct grains and a firm texture of the skin.It has no unpleasant odor, so it is easy to eat even for those who don't like Spicy Fish Eggs or foreigners trying it for the first time.
Spicy Fish Eggs is cut into seven equal pieces, so you can eat each piece as is or with rice.
Spicy Fish Eggs is marinated in a seasoning sauce made from a blend of kelp and various other umami ingredients, giving it a deep flavor.
Image: Tomoya Kawai
When you order "Mentaiko-ju (R)," it comes with a sauce to choose from four different levels of spiciness, so once you've enjoyed it to a certain extent, try adding a different sauce to change the flavor.
There is the "basic" sauce, which has a subtle spiciness, the "mildly spicy" which is characterized by a mild spiciness and just the right amount of sweetness, the "medium spicy" which has a sweet taste followed by a lingering spiciness, and the "very spicy" which is perfect for those who want a spicy kick, so you can find the sauce that suits your taste.
Image: Tomoya Kawai
Mentaiko stewed noodles
In addition to "Mentaiko-ju (R)," "Mentaiko Nikomi Tsukemen" is also a popular menu item.
The main dipping sauce is made with plenty of Spicy Fish Eggs and over 10 kinds of vegetables. It is simmered slowly to bring out the full flavor of the ingredients, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish. The noodles are thick and chewy, and they blend beautifully with the crunchy Spicy Fish Eggs soup.
Image: Original Hakata Mentaiko-ju
Other popular menu items
Other side dishes not to be missed include the limited-edition "Mentaiko Colorful Salad" (748 yen), made with fresh vegetables drizzled in "Nishinakasu Dressing" (sold in store for 1,080 yen for takeout), and the "Nishinakasu Ryotei Pudding" (748 yen), which offers two different textures with caramel and caramel jelly, both of which are apparently ordered by many customers.
Image: Original Hakata Mentaiko-ju
Once you've had your fill and are leaving the store, you'll see a lantern with the store's name on it. It's a popular photo spot, so celebrities and tourists alike take photos here as a souvenir of their visit. Recently, some people have even taken photos with their favorite idols' acrylic stands.
Image: Tomoya Kawai
If you're a resident of Fukuoka and haven't been to the restaurant yet, we recommend you give it a try. One bite and you'll be hooked on the deliciousness of the "Mentaiko-ju (R)"! There is also a takeout specialty store inside Hakata Station. (Text by Kawai Tomoya)
＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■Original Hakata Mentaiko-ju Nishinakasu
Address: 6-15 Nishinakasu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 7:00-22:30 (last orders 22:00)
Closed: None
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※Text and images:
※Photo: Original Hakata Mentaiko-ju
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