Kisuitei Fukuoka Tenjin Review: Authentic Motsunabe
Discover Kisuitei in Tenjin, Fukuoka, serving authentic single-serving motsunabe, sea bream ochazuke, and local delicacies in a cozy department-store setting.
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Discover Kisuitei in Tenjin, Fukuoka, serving authentic single-serving motsunabe, sea bream ochazuke, and local delicacies in a cozy department-store setting.
Fukuoka Tenjin Dining
Kisuitei at Tenjin Station
Written by Global Explorer
When exploring Fukuoka,
ramen and tonkatsu are absolute must-tries.
But sometimes, you just crave a clean, comforting Japanese set meal.
That is why my friends and I
headed over to Tenjin for dinner
to try out 'Kisuitei'.
It is a fantastic spot to enjoy beautifully curated
traditional regional dishes in a neat teishoku (set meal) style.
I had been dreaming about trying their
famous Sea Bream & Mentaiko Ochazuke,
so I was incredibly excited before we even stepped inside!
We arrived around 6:00 PM on a weekday
and were seated immediately without any wait,
allowing us to enjoy our dinner
in a peaceful, relaxed setting.
While there is another branch at JR Hakata Station,
we chose the Tenjin location
to fit seamlessly with our afternoon shopping plans.
Hakata Cuisine Kisuitei (Iwataya Branch)
Address 7F Iwataya Department Store New Building, 2 Chome-5-35 Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-8680 Japan |
Hours 11:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM |
🔻Click below to open in Google Maps🔻 |
📍 Kisuitei
2-chōme-5-35 Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-8680 Japan
The Tenjin branch of Kisuitei is located
on the 7th floor of the Iwataya Department Store (New Building).
It is just a 10-minute walk (approx. 0.4 miles) from Tenjin Station,
making it incredibly easy to reach.
It is the perfect place to grab a bite
right in the middle of a shopping day.
I personally loved being able to browse the department store
before and after our meal—
convenience at its finest!
Bonus tip: The popular lifestyle shop Standard Products
is nearby on the 9th floor of the Mitsukoshi Department Store!
The storefront features clear menus and a comfortable waiting area
should you arrive during peak hours.
Since we arrived on the early side,
we were escorted directly to our table.
However, by the time we finished eating,
a line of hungry locals
was already starting to form.
As soon as we stepped inside,
we were embraced by a calm, traditional Japanese aesthetic.
Each table comes equipped with handy storage baskets for bags
and coat hangers on the walls.
It made stowing away our heavy shopping bags
completely hassle-free.
With both private rooms and open dining spaces,
it’s an excellent spot for families or small groups.
What we loved most was that we were the only foreigners there;
every other table was filled with Japanese locals.
Finding a true local-approved spot
always makes the culinary adventure even better!
Specializing in Fukuoka's local delicacies,
Kisuitei offers an impressive variety of dishes.
From motsunabe and mizutaki to sesame mackerel (gomasaba),
wagyu shabu-shabu, sea bream ochazuke, and sukiyaki,
there is something to satisfy every palate,
complete with delightful traditional desserts.
Ordering is done via a tablet at the table,
which supports multiple languages (including English),
making the entire process incredibly straightforward.
Sea Bream & Mentaiko Ochazuke Set: ~$25 (3,850 JPY)
Fresh Motsunabe Hot Pot Set: ~$18 (2,750 JPY)
Mizutaki Chicken Hot Pot Set: ~$18 (2,750 JPY)
We ordered these three sets to share among the three of us.
Since they specialize in single-serving sets,
it’s also an exceptionally welcoming spot
for solo travelers looking to enjoy local hot pots without any pressure.
Right after we ordered, we were served a soothing cup of warm tea.
The hospitality here shines through in every small detail.
When the dishes arrived, we were blown away
by how generous and beautifully presented the sets were.
Alongside the main dishes,
each set included savory chawanmushi (egg custard), Japanese pickles, and rice,
making it a incredibly complete and satisfying meal.
The neat, meticulous styling
of traditional Japanese dining was on full display.
With each side dish elegantly served in its own small dish,
the presentation was clean and visually stunning—
perfect for snapping a few aesthetic photos!
Sea Bream & Mentaiko Ochazuke Set (~$25)
First up was the highly anticipated
Sea Bream & Mentaiko Ochazuke.
Featuring fresh sea bream sashimi paired with flavorful spicy cod roe,
it had absolutely zero fishiness.
The mild, buttery sea bream balanced perfectly
with the salty kick of the mentaiko.
I was slightly skeptical about getting raw fish at a casual set restaurant,
but my worries vanished instantly.
As it turns out, the Kisuitei Group
originally started as a fresh fish wholesaler in Fukuoka!
That explains why the sea bream was so incredibly fresh
and why the quality of all their ingredients
felt top-tier.
You start by enjoying the sashimi and rice on their own,
and then pour the savory dashi broth over the top
to transform it into a comforting ochazuke.
As the rice grains soak up the rich broth,
the texture becomes wonderfully soft and comforting.
It’s incredibly gentle on the stomach,
making it a fantastic option
for a light yet deeply satisfying travel meal.
It would also be a huge hit for kids!
One of my absolute favorite Japanese starters
is chawanmushi (savory egg custard).
I was so happy to find it included as a standard side in the set!
It was silky-smooth and literally melted
on the tongue.
It was the ultimate palate cleanser before diving into the mains.
While I didn't expect much from a standard side dish,
this was so good it ended up being
one of the most memorable bites of the night!
The sea bream set also comes with a side of tempura,
which was incredibly light, crispy, and delicious.
Fresh Motsunabe Set (~$18)
A trip to Fukuoka isn't complete
without hot, bubbling motsunabe!
Normally, motsunabe requires a minimum of two orders,
but Kisuitei serves it as a single-person set,
making it a dream come true for solo travelers
who want to enjoy this local specialty without hassle.
As the hot pot began to bubble, a rich, savory aroma filled the air.
The pot was loaded with fresh beef tripe, chives,
cabbage, tofu, and burdock root.
The tripe was incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth rather than chewy,
maintaining its rich, juicy texture
throughout the entire meal.
The broth was deep, robust, and clean—
delivering pure umami without feeling overly greasy.
I couldn't stop spooning it up!
The subtle sweetness of the burdock root
was a personal highlight.
One of my friends was trying motsunabe for the very first time
and was a bit nervous about the offal,
but they absolutely loved the soup and finished every last drop!
To finish it off, we tossed in champon noodles
to soak up the remaining delicious broth. Highly recommended!
Mizutaki Set (~$18)
Next was Mizutaki,
a delicate local chicken hot pot simmered in a clear broth.
Think of it as a refined, comforting Japanese chicken soup.
Because the flavors are mild and clean,
it’s incredibly easy on the palate
and perfect for children or anyone wanting a lighter option.
Once you finish the chicken,
the staff will prepare a comforting egg and rice porridge (zoosui) right in the pot.
Because the meal is served in such a neat, dignified format,
it’s also a wonderful place to bring parents or family members.
After finishing our savory dishes,
we couldn't resist ordering from their dessert selection.
If you want to stretch out a wonderful dinner,
I highly recommend ordering some traditional sweets to wrap things up.
It was the perfect excuse to linger, chat,
and slowly finish our evening.
The refreshing strawberry shaved ice (kakigori)
was the ultimate palate cleanser!
Topped with sweet, velvety cream,
it had a perfect snowy texture that melted instantly.
Even though we were completely stuffed,
we kept digging in until it was completely gone... oops!
Kisuitei in Tenjin was easily one of the most memorable
dining experiences of our 2026 Fukuoka journey.
If you appreciate beautifully presented, high-quality Japanese set meals,
you will be absolutely thrilled with this place.
The option to enjoy Fukuoka's legendary hot pots in single-person portions
is an incredible win for solo travelers!
Located right in the heart of the Tenjin shopping district,
the accessibility is unmatched.
Being inside a department store makes it seamless
to combine with your daily sightseeing and shopping itinerary.
While grab-and-go street food and crowded ramen stalls are fun,
if you want to sit down and enjoy a relaxed, authentic meal
in a local neighborhood atmosphere,
definitely add 'Kisuitei' in Tenjin to your list!
On my next trip, I’m definitely going to tackle their Sukiyaki set!
Make sure to save this spot for your upcoming Fukuoka itinerary!
The Kisuitei Tenjin branch is a 10-minute walk from Tenjin Station. It is located on the 7th floor of the Iwataya Department Store New Building, making it convenient to visit before or after shopping.
It is open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. If you visit around 6:00 PM on a weekday, you can usually enter without much of a wait.
You won't have any difficulty, as the restaurant is equipped with tablets that support the Korean language. Even if you don't know Japanese, you can easily select items and place your order through the screen.
You can order a single portion of the fresh Motsunabe hot pot set meal for 2,750 yen. The restaurant offers a great selection of set meals for one, so solo travelers can enjoy dining without feeling pressured.
The main dish is Ochazuke, where you pour broth over rice topped with sea bream sashimi and mentaiko. It is also neatly served with chawanmushi (Japanese savory egg custard), tempura, and pickled side dishes.
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