Stand Maruni Fukuoka Review 2026: Affordable Izakaya, No Otoshi Fee

As an alcohol-loving traveler,

on this trip to Japan,

I looked for a casual bar to drop by during my itinerary.

Since I usually visit 2-3 izakayas a day,

while searching for a Fukuoka izakaya where I could grab something light for a late lunch/early dinner feel,

I ended up at Stand Maruni Imaizumi branch.

Stand Maruni

Opening Hours

Mon ~ Sat 14:00 ~ 24:00

Sun 14:00 ~ 01:00

Card payments accepted / No otoshi or cover charge

Its location is about a 5-minute walk from Tenjin-Minami Station,

and about a 2-minute walk from Tenjin Bus Terminal and Tenjin Bic Camera.

Located in the Imaizumi area,

it's a great spot to casually drop by

while shopping in downtown Tenjin.

⬇️ Reservations are available on Tabelog ⬇️

I visited around 4 PM.

Since the shop opens at 2 PM,

it’s perfect for a late lunch and an early drink.

Ordering was done via mobile,

and it was convenient as both Korean and English were supported.

Even if you study Japanese, reading menus can be tricky,

so being able to order via mobile was a big plus!

As expected of a place where you can grab a quick drink,

the first floor was a standing bar, a 'tachinomi'.

*What is Tachinomi?

A Japanese standing bar culture where you enjoy drinks and snacks casually while standing.

Tachinomi are known for being budget-friendly bars where drinks and snacks are affordable.

On the other hand, the second floor had table seating

where you could sit and drink comfortably.

Since I had been walking all day,

I didn't feel confident standing to drink,

so I asked to be seated on the second floor.

Each seat was equipped with a small plate, chopsticks,

and a QR code for mobile ordering.

Despite being a tachinomi for simple eats, the menu was quite varied.

They offered tempura, sashimi, stewed dishes, salads, various alcoholic beverages, and more.

The selection was more diverse than I expected.

If I hadn't had assorted sashimi the day before,

I probably would have ordered something from the sashimi menu – such a shame! 🥹

The drink prices were generally very reasonable,

and if you visit during happy hour,

you can enjoy them even more affordably.

They had a great selection of not just beers, but also fruit sours,

making it look like a perfect casual spot for a date too.

First, we ordered the assorted 3-kind tempura (968 yen).

It's made up of daikon radish, chicken breast, and fish cake tempura!

The daikon radish tempura was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside,

with the unique sweetness and saltiness of daikon radish perfectly harmonizing.

The chikuwa tempura (a type of fish cake) was generously filled with mentaiko (spicy pollack roe),

a dish truly befitting Fukuoka, the city famous for mentaiko!

Next, we ordered Nikudofu (simmered meat and tofu) (649 yen).

I love tofu, so I decided to try it.

While Japanese soy sauce-based dishes

often strike me as quite strongly seasoned,

this one wasn't too heavy to eat without rice,

making it a fantastic snack with drinks.

When I'm just having a casual beer,

I always make sure to order potato salad.

Here, the color was a bit unique,

and it was packed with both large and small potato pieces.

It also had a subtle fruity scent,

making it a delicious experience even though it was my first time trying this flavor.

The absolute highlight among the dishes we ordered was

the Creamy Crab Croquette, brimming with crab meat (880 yen).

It was crispy on the outside,

and the inside was generously filled with creamy crab meat.

The cream was rich and savory,

and the slightly sweet sauce complemented it perfectly when dipped,

ensuring it wasn't at all greasy and tasted wonderfully harmonious.

We definitely came in for just a quick beer... haha!

But hey, I only had one beer, so it still counts as a 'quick beer,' right?

For drinks, we ordered draft beer

and a strawberry sour, made with Fukuoka's famous local strawberries.

The strawberry sour had whole fresh strawberries in it,

and it was so sweet with hardly any alcohol taste,

that I figured I could get tipsy without even realizing it!

The glorious downfall of those who planned to eat light!

We ended up ordering multiple dishes

and indulged in plenty of drinks before leaving.

Stand Maruni Imaizumi was one of those places

that truly stood out in Fukuoka for the kindness of its owner (or manager?) and staff,

and, of course, that unforgettable Creamy Crab Croquette.

It was Stand Maruni Imaizumi.

Stand Maruni Imaizumi is

a great spot to casually stop by for a drink while shopping near Tenjin.

It was a perfect place for a quick one.

You can stand and drink at the tachinomi (standing bar) on the first floor,

or if you prefer to sit and relax, there are tables on the second floor!

The tempura and croquettes were delicious,

and they had a wide variety of drinks.

We originally planned to eat light, but ended up ordering more dishes...🐽

If you're looking for a relaxed spot for a drink

near Imaizumi or Tenjin,

I highly recommend checking this place out!