koely Izuhara Tsushima Review 2026: Kushikatsu & Motsunabe Izakaya

On a recent trip to Izuhara, the charming main town of Tsushima Island, we were on the hunt for a great dinner spot. Tucked away in the heart of the town, we stumbled upon koely, a relatively new izakaya that quickly became a favorite!

Tsushima, being a bit off the beaten path, can sometimes have slightly higher dining prices. However, koely stood out with its incredibly diverse menu, offering everything from crispy kushikatsu to hearty motsunabe, all at surprisingly reasonable prices.

This versatile spot operates as a casual restaurant during lunch hours and transforms into a lively izakaya by evening. So, whether you're looking for a midday meal or a fun night out in Izuhara, koely is definitely a fantastic option to consider!

In this post, I'll share all the details: its location, how to snag a reservation, a peek at their delicious menu, and my honest review of the food.

lunch＆dinner koely

Weekdays Lunch: 11:00 AM ~ 2:00 PM

Weekdays Dinner: 5:00 PM ~ 10:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM

Closed irregularly, so it's a good idea to check their Instagram before your visit.

Cash payment only.

lunch＆dinner koely · 723 Izuharamachi Imayashiki, Tsushima, Nagasaki 817-0021, Japan

Izakaya koely is conveniently located right in the bustling center of Izuhara.

It's just a stone's throw from the popular Eguchi Soy Sauce Factory, making it a perfect spot to grab dinner before or after exploring the surrounding area.

We used Google Maps to find our way. Keep an eye out for a small truck, then head down the alley just past it, and you'll find koely.

You'll be greeted by a charming little garden leading to the entrance of koely.

Since it's a newer establishment, koely boasts a wonderfully clean and modern aesthetic, both inside and out. Plus, it's a completely non-smoking venue, which made for a much more pleasant dining experience.

How to Make a Reservation

koely(@lunch.dinner_koely) • Instagram photos and videos

I highly recommend making a reservation in advance, which we did via Instagram DM. Tsushima doesn't have a huge selection of dinner restaurants, and many tend to be fully booked or reserved for private events.

It was a good thing we booked ahead! On the night we visited, other guests who tried to walk in without a reservation ended up waiting quite a while. If you're planning a dinner outing in Izuhara, do yourself a favor and reserve your table at koely!

Menu

The menu at koely is super convenient, with an English version available to make ordering a breeze.

We decided to try the Omakase Kushikatsu (chef's choice skewers), Yodare Dori, Motsunabe, and a refreshing draft beer.

A glass of draft beer was priced at ~$4, which was actually the most affordable we found compared to other restaurants in the area.

We started with the Omakase Kushikatsu and our draft beers. The kushikatsu skewers are fried fresh to order, and enjoying them while they're still warm and crispy makes all the difference.

Our Omakase set included asparagus, cheese, pork, beef, and chicken, from left to right. The batter was light and incredibly crispy, making them the perfect companion to our beers.

Next up was the Yodare Dori. This was a new dish for me, so I looked it up before ordering. It's described as a Szechuan dish, which made me expect something spicy.

However, it wasn't spicy at all! It's more like a refreshing cold chicken salad, with poached chicken and vegetables. While not super intense in flavor, it was a clean and light dish, a great palate cleanser after the fried kushikatsu.

We originally planned to go to another spot for motsunabe as a second round, but we were enjoying the food at koely so much that we decided to order it here too. It was a chef's recommendation, and we were so glad we tried it!

The motsunabe broth was rich and savory, but not overly salty, pairing perfectly with our beer. The chewy texture of the offal was fantastic. It had that deep, umami flavor I've enjoyed in motsunabe in Fukuoka, and I was genuinely impressed. If I hadn't been so full, I definitely would have added some noodles to finish it off!

The restrooms were spotless, and given that many izakayas in Tsushima allow smoking, the fact that koely is entirely non-smoking was a huge plus for comfort. If you're looking for a great izakaya in Izuhara for dinner, or specifically craving delicious kushikatsu or motsunabe, I highly recommend making a reservation and visiting koely. You won't be disappointed!

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