I happened to find out from a pamphlet that Chikaei, who had stopped lunch service during the pandemic, is now offering lunch on Saturdays only. I called to make a reservation, but they were only accepting reservations one week in advance. With my friend's help, we managed to secure a reservation amidst the busy Obon period. We arrived at around 10:30, anticipating a long line, and indeed, there were already about 15 people waiting outside the restaurant. We hurried to join the line, and as reserved guests, we were directed to a separate line near the entrance. Even so, there were about 8 people ahead of us, waiting in the heat. Finally, at the designated time, we were seated. Stepping inside, we were greeted by a display of live squid in tanks, followed by an array of tanks showcasing various seafood such as spiny lobsters, horse mackerel, shrimp, abalone, and more. The spacious interior was bustling with chefs working diligently in the kitchen at the back. In the center of the restaurant, there were counter seats with a pathway, where elegantly dressed staff members gracefully moved about. It was quite an experience for a first-timer like me. We were seated at the counter, which had sturdy chairs and armrests, providing a comfortable setting. The restaurant also had table seats in both directions, with sunken kotatsu tables lining the sides. The large space quickly filled up, and customers waiting in the sofa seats at the edge of the room. We were grateful for making a reservation! We ordered the lunch set for 1980 yen, which included rice, sashimi, soup, simmered dish, fried dish, hot dish, and pickles. It was indeed a great deal. We also added a hojicha chocolate and a draft beer for 500 yen each. Looking around at the live tanks and the staff members and customers bustling around, we chatted excitedly until our food arrived. The staff explained each dish to us, and we also received a complimentary hojicha chocolate and a sample of the restaurant's dashi. Both items could be purchased later, as we found out online. The sashimi consisted of sea bream, yellowtail, and tuna, each with a firm and fresh texture. Although the simmered dish was vegetable-based instead of the anticipated fish, it was flavorful and well-cooked. The fried dish included shrimp, bell pepper, eggplant, sweet potato, and lotus root, all crispy and delicious. The chawanmushi was rich in ingredients and had a gentle flavor from the dashi. The miso soup with swimming crab was flavorful and satisfying. The pickles, including mentaiko with mustard greens, seaweed with soy sauce, and crushed bonito-flavored cod roe, complemented the rice well. They were all available for purchase at the restaurant or online. The meal was filling and varied, making us want more rice to go with the delicious side dishes. Overall, it was a satisfying dining experience.

Chikae, a famous traditional Japanese restaurant in Fukuoka, is located in my neighborhood and I finally decided to check it out during the weekend lunch special when a friend from overseas visited. Despite the no reservation policy and the restaurant opening at 11:30 am, I arrived at 11:15 am to find a long line already formed outside. People had started lining up as early as 30 minutes before opening. The sun was scorching and it was quite hot, but there were umbrellas and water provided for heatstroke prevention. Even after the restaurant opened, the line moved slowly and I was finally able to get in around 11:50 am after a bit of a wait. Inside, there was a waiting area and I opted for a shared table. The seats were well divided with partitions and the tables were spacious, so sharing a table was not an issue. However, the prime seats at this restaurant would definitely be the counter seats surrounding the cooking area for a more immersive experience. The lunch menu consisted of a set meal for 1980 yen, which I paired with a lunch-exclusive draft beer for 500 yen. The draft beer was small in size and disappeared quickly (laughs). The set meal was generous in portion and everything was delicious, especially the steamed egg custard and spicy cod roe. The service was a bit impersonal, perhaps due to the staff being busy. In particular, the cashier seemed rushed and a bit rude, leaving a disappointing impression as I left. Nevertheless, being able to enjoy the taste and ambiance of a traditional restaurant for 2000 yen is a great deal. While dining here for dinner may be a bit pricey, the atmosphere is calm and inviting, making it a convenient spot for when elderly relatives visit.

I was curious about what it would be like since it had been a while since I last used it at a company banquet. As expected, it's a long-established restaurant in Hakata. The sashimi was delicious, and the presentation was also good. There were some clever touches that made it taste even better. The sea urchin rice at the end was also delicious. The amount of dishes was satisfying. Although we have the banquet every year, it had been 4 years due to the influence of COVID-19, and this time the meal was upgraded compared to usual, so I was satisfied. I thought again that introducing this place would never go wrong for entertaining or having a sophisticated meal.

I went to dinner at Chikae Honeten in Fukuoka. The restaurant has a grand design and is located a 5-minute walk from Fukuoka Akasaka Station. The highlight is the large counter where you can see a live fish tank nearby. You can choose your fish and have it prepared according to your preference. The freshness of the seafood is impressive, especially the abalone and mentaiko gratin. However, the price may not be justified by the overall experience, which seems more suitable for entertaining clients. Additionally, there were too many servers, and some seemed unfriendly, making me want to change my server. #ChikaeHoneten #FukuokaDinner #FukuokaKaiseki #FukuokaSeafood #FukuokaIzakaya #Kaiseki #ChikaeHoneten

This is a well-known traditional restaurant. I always used to go for Hakata's Kawataro for eating squid in Hakata, but this time I visited here for the first time. I arrived at 6 pm, but the large squid was already sold out, so I ordered two small squids instead. Even though they were small, they were firm and thick, and very delicious. The vinegared mozuku seaweed served as an appetizer was impressive, with thick and flavorful vinegar, I liked it so much that I asked for seconds. They also had an original sweet potato shochu, which despite being made from sweet potatoes, had no strong taste and was easy to drink.

I was amazed by the wonderful entrance today! Walking through the curtain, there was a spacious main counter area to the right, similar to the one I visited last year in Karatsu called Kawaotaro, with fresh seafood displayed in the center of the counter. This time, it felt like a separate building? We entered through a spacious entrance that resembled a traditional inn, left our shoes, and took the tatami-covered elevator to the second floor where our meeting room was located. Riding in a tatami elevator was quite exciting! The hallway to the room was also spacious. Although it was a private room, it felt like being served dinner in a separate room at a high-class ryokan. The dishes, such as fresh squid and large sea bream sashimi, were beautifully presented and tasted amazing. There was a hospitality staff member who assisted with serving the sashimi and adjusting the presentation. The squid was later fried, and the sea bream was served in miso soup. The miso soup had a choice of red miso, and I chose a blend that brought out the richness of the sea bream, with a slightly sweet and elegant taste. There was also a special appetizer with mentaiko, which I heard could be purchased as a souvenir. I wanted to buy it, but I had work the next day, so I was delighted to learn that there is a store at Fukuoka Airport where I could buy mentaiko and other souvenirs. So, souvenir shopping was decided!

I visited after a long time! When in Hakata, this place is a must-visit. The interior of the restaurant has a large counter in a U-shape, with many large tanks filled with fresh seafood. You can order and have them cook the seafood from the tanks right away. The waitstaff are all dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, which creates a pleasant atmosphere. On this day, I had squid, horse mackerel, and mackerel. The squid tentacles and head were deep-fried. I particularly enjoyed the mackerel on this visit.

Nowadays, mentaiko (spicy cod roe) is in full bloom!! I visited Chikaei for their mentaiko lunch set priced at ¥1,980 because I like the strong flavor of their dashi (broth) (//∇//). It was my first visit since being invited to a wedding there. It's located just a few minutes walk from Akasaka Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line. Although they open at 11:00, there was already a line for the lunch set. The line for entering and the line for the lunch set were separate. They even provide umbrellas, which I believe is a gesture of hospitality from this long-established restaurant. I was there for the mentaiko grains. Since it's all-you-can-eat, I enjoyed plenty of them (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵). I also ordered the "iwashi mentaiko" for ¥1,540. The lunch set included sashimi, simmered dishes, chawanmushi, and crab miso soup. They also offer a dish made only with vegetable broth. The all-you-can-eat mentaiko at Chikaei for ¥1,980 is a great deal. You can only buy it before going through security at Fukuoka Airport or through online shopping, so I am grateful for the opportunity (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵). Thank you for the delicious meal!

The service was stable, typical of a long-established restaurant. I was satisfied with the delicious meal. When I mentioned that I was unsure whether to order a course or a la carte when making a reservation, I was told that most people order a la carte. This allowed me to enjoy a meal a la carte. Since it was just me and my elderly mother, we couldn't order too many dishes, but we were tempted by the delicious dishes being carried to other tables and could only hope for a return visit.

The counter had a live fish tank right in front of it. The shrimp, squid, and other seafood were fresh and had a nice texture. The sushi and sesame mackerel were also delicious. They prepared each fish in various ways like sashimi, tempura, and salt-grilled. I would definitely want to go back again.

Seafood dishes are definitely a safe bet! The freshness is outstanding since they come directly from the fish tank. I'm not sure which beer brand they serve, sorry. The Abalone Gratin (1,870 yen) is more than half vegetables but it tastes really delicious! We had half of the Spiny Lobster grilled and the other half served as sashimi, and the leftovers were made into miso soup. They have a good selection of mentaiko dishes as well. The menu notes that the fish is wild-caught, which is great for those who care about that. The ladies' restroom is clean and spacious. There's even a space for changing diapers, although I personally don't think this is the kind of place you'd bring a baby. It's not exactly quiet here (which is a bit disappointing), so I think it's okay to bring a crying baby. They also have a children's menu. There are mostly male customers here, and some can get quite rowdy. So, it doesn't really have that glamorous girls' night out vibe. The service can vary among the staff. Some take a while to bring your beer, while others are quick. The staff here are more like seasoned veterans rather than young college students.

It was a wonderful restaurant where you can enjoy fresh fish swimming right in front of you as sashimi. I had heard that their mentaiko (spicy cod roe) was famous, but this time I focused on sashimi, especially the fresh Ise lobster and Seki horse mackerel were incredibly delicious! The Ise lobster was made into miso soup, and the broth was very flavorful. It became a recommended restaurant that I definitely want to visit again.

Visited the long-established ryotei Chikae Honten in Akasaka. The spacious interior with live fish on display is popular among tourists. The horse mackerel was firm with a rich, sweet taste. Excellent. The squid was also delicious, but I wonder if there are specific seasons or types for it. I was expecting a more transparent and sweet squid, but this was just average. The sesame sauce on the sesame mackerel was rich and flavorful, showing skill in its preparation. And the mentaiko on the iron plate. Mentaiko usually makes you keep reaching for more due to its salty taste, but here it was elegant with a hint of sweetness, making it hard to stop eating. Dangerous (laughs). Truly delicious mentaiko. I tried the sardine mentaiko for the first time, and the grilling was perfect. I want to make it a regular menu item next time. Thank you for the meal. For smokers, there is a smoking area outside the restaurant, towards the right.

This is a traditional fisherman's restaurant in Fukuoka, known for its high-quality seafood from the nearby sea. It has a luxurious atmosphere, excellent service, and a large pool-like tank filled with swimming seafood and skilled chefs showcasing their knife skills. The lunch menu is satisfying and perfect for anyone, making it convenient for hosting out-of-town guests. However, lunch reservations can only be made at 11:45, so be prepared to wait in line at other times.

I went to this restaurant based on a recommendation from a friend. The atmosphere was great right from the entrance. The whole place had fish swimming in tanks, creating a nice ambiance that even foreigners would enjoy. I heard from locals that this place has always been known for its fish, while younger people associate it more with mentaiko (spicy cod roe). The highlight was definitely the squid, which was amazing. I've been to other restaurants specializing in squid sashimi, but this one is my favorite. ❤️

I only ordered seafood dishes, but they were all fresh and delicious. It's no wonder, as they come directly from the fish tank. There seemed to be many visitors from outside the prefecture or overseas (I could hear different languages being spoken). I didn't try the meat dishes, so I can't comment on those, but if you're into seafood, I highly recommend it. As for the restroom, I can only speak for the women's, but there were two and they were very clean. The staff were also very friendly.

During my business trip to Fukuoka, I visited this long-established restaurant. I decided to treat myself and ordered a variety of fresh seafood from the Genkai Sea. I sat at the counter surrounded by live fish tanks, enjoying dishes such as live squid, three types of mentaiko (spicy cod roe), simmered red snapper head, and sesame mackerel. I paired the meal with sake from Saga. Although it was not cheap, the freshness of the seafood and the overall atmosphere made it worth it. I would definitely want to visit this restaurant again.

I went to Fukuoka by bullet train and had dinner at the famous restaurant "Wakaei". It was my first time seeing a live fish tank and I was impressed. I recommend the flounder, although they didn't have it, so I had the horse mackerel and tiger prawn instead. The sardine mentaiko was delicious and paired well with the sake. The sushi at the end was also very tasty. I fell even more in love with Hakata. Everything was delicious, so I bought some sardine mentaiko from "Wakaei" at the airport on my way back, and it was still delicious. I ended up ordering more online. They have motsunabe and various other snacks available for purchase.

I had always heard about Chuka Ei as a recommended place for mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and finally got the chance to visit. Reservations were required a week in advance, but I was able to make it. The dining experience surrounded by a large fish tank was truly unique and enjoyable.

Sashimi, tempura, crab miso soup, chawanmushi, mentaiko, etc... everything is delicious! The fact that you can eat all these dishes for 1980 yen is great value for money. The atmosphere is just like a traditional Japanese restaurant. The live fish tank is impressive! I went with my 2-year-old and newborn, and since we had a table with a sunken floor, I was able to lay the baby down and enjoy my meal in peace. It's always crowded but worth the wait. I will definitely go again!

I used this place for a gathering. Nakai-san's hospitality was pleasant, and the dishes came out at the right timing as he has experience in hosting many banquets. Of course, the food was delicious. Be sure to try the scallop and shrimp gratin!