Mamedaya Hakata: Best Motsunabe Near Fukuoka's Hakata Station

For our first dinner in Fukuoka, we chose a highly-rated spot near Hakata Station: Mamedaya Motsunabe!

It's true what they say: popular places are popular for a reason!

Even on a late, rainy evening, the constant stream of diners surprised us,

but we decided it was worth the wait.

There were two parties ahead of us, and as walk-ins, we waited about 40 minutes.

We later learned that reservations are highly recommended, and you can easily book Motsunabe Mamedaya near Fukuoka's Hakata Station through Google.

The cozy lighting, typical of Japanese eateries,

combined with the gentle patter of rain outside,

created a wonderfully atmospheric and almost poetic evening.

Browsing the menu, we were spoilt for choice with so many delicious options!

But since motsunabe is their specialty, we went straight for it.

The menu clearly lists all prices, and for international visitors,

it's incredibly convenient that it's available in multiple languages, including English.

Since we were dining with our child, we opted for the soy sauce-based motsunabe.

The pricing was very reasonable, making it easy to enjoy without breaking the bank.

Soy Sauce Motsunabe + Medium Rice

~$26

The drink menu boasted an impressive selection,

from highballs and beer to various sakes.

The beverage prices were also fair,

perfect for enhancing the evening's ambiance.

My husband, naturally, ordered a draft beer!

The restaurant was bustling with patrons,

creating a vibrant, lively atmosphere.

Despite being busy, the staff were incredibly friendly and efficient,

making our meal a truly pleasant experience.

While the space was a bit snug, it only added to that authentic,

lively Japanese dining vibe, making our first Fukuoka evening absolutely perfect!

Its location near Hakata Station also meant excellent accessibility – a definite win for both convenience and ambiance!

First to arrive was a complimentary eel appetizer,

elegantly presented on a small dish.

Though tiny, it was perfectly seasoned and incredibly appetizing, whetting our palates for the main course.

It was so delicious and clean-tasting that even our child quickly polished it off!

Finally, the main event arrived - !

The motsunabe pot was piled high with a mountain of chives and cabbage,

making for an absolutely stunning presentation.

As we gently stirred and waited for the broth to simmer,

a rich, savory aroma filled the air, making me seriously crave a shot of soju! (Oh, to not be pregnant right now!).

As the pot bubbled and steamed,

a delicious fragrance enveloped our table.

Watching the offal and vegetables cook perfectly together was truly a sight to behold.

It was absolutely delicious for our child too!

Just remember to ask them to omit the chili powder that's usually sprinkled on top.

They kindly provided us with a separate children's dish, and our little one enjoyed every bite.

This place is definitely recommendable for families traveling with kids, especially if you make a reservation!

Serving ourselves a generous portion of motsunabe with broth, offal, and chives,

one bite was all it took to be utterly amazed.

This was hands down the best motsunabe I've ever tasted!

The soy sauce-based broth was incredibly deep and rich,

pairing perfectly with rice.

There was absolutely no unpleasant smell from the offal;

just pure, savory goodness that made it impossible to stop eating.

The payment options were quite extensive, including Alipay and various credit cards,

My husband was particularly impressed to see that Mamedaya had received an award from Tabelog,

a highly respected Japanese restaurant review site. He mentioned that Japanese diners are often quite discerning with their praise, so receiving such an award is a significant achievement.

We arrived around 9:30 PM without a reservation and waited about 40 minutes.

While it was a bit of a wait, the incredible taste made it absolutely worthwhile!

Mamedaya is truly a standout Fukuoka motsunabe restaurant.

We were so satisfied that we vowed to revisit on our next trip to Fukuoka.

I highly recommend everyone visiting Fukuoka to experience it for yourselves!

This is an authentic review, paid for with my own money!

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