I was drinking with my regular reviewer friend in Tobata, but ended up moving to Kokura for a bar hop. Usually, I would take the lead and go to a place that I haven't reviewed yet, but I had quite a few drinks so I stopped thinking and just went to a place within our group that was still unreviewed. The octopus stew that my friend ordered looked delicious, but it was too far for me to reach, so I ended up just ordering light drinks like strawberry milk. We spent time chatting with our close friends and the casual master of the shop, and since there was no last train, we took a taxi home. It was another good day. ...Wait, did you not eat the octopus stew?! I should have asked for some.

The master of the restaurant appeared multiple times in my dreams, but I met him for the first time tonight. When I saw him in person, he looked exactly like Soshirou, from the comedy duo "Shimoji Akebi." It was quite surprising. There was also a gangster with a fan sitting next to him. He looked like Okazaki from the movie "Fish Story." I decided not to try the octopus sashimi and left!

The restaurant is always crowded. The 8th is a day of a new government, and the 14th is a day of the 14th generation. Be careful of the trap of 1000 Belo → 2 food items, 3 drink items → having leftover drinks → adding more food → running out of drinks midway → adding more drinks... Watch out for their clever traps! There are many regular customers, so you might hesitate, but let's dive in! You'll surely have a great time.

This is a shop I always visit when I stay in Kokura for business trips. This time was my fourth visit. As usual, I ordered a draft beer first, followed by two side dishes - vinegar tripe and thick fried tofu in oden. I asked for the beer without a glass. It's always nice to get 3 drinks and 2 side dishes for 1,000 yen excluding tax. The second drink was a highball, and the third was a whiskey on the rocks. I have more bar hopping to do later, so this time I just had the drinks and settled the bill. Thank you for the meal. I'll be back again.

Newly opened stand-up bar Fukuju is highly recommended by Mikawa Real Estate! It's a fantastic place for drinking and eating on your feet. They have a happy hour and cheap drinks, as well as a variety of reasonably priced menu options. The staff are top-notch - quick and friendly! They offer a variety of oden and cold dishes. Conveniently located in the shopping district, it's easy to get to.

Once again, lemon sour for 100 yen! And standing while drinking is great because you get close to the person next to you. When I tried to take a picture, the regular customer next to me blocked it with their hand. They must be a regular here! They know more about the menu than the staff and always greet you when you make eye contact with them. No wonder everyone keeps coming back for oden and lemon sours. And the best part is, in July, a new Chinese restaurant from the same chain will be opening! So, the winner is...!

On the way, I came across this shop that caught my interest. "New Sake Stand Fukusuke Happy Hour" until 6pm, lemon sour and highball are only 100 yen, and the large size is 200 yen. I decided to try their oden as well. Oden choices include: Tsukune (meatballs) for 120 yen, quail eggs for 120 yen, rolled egg for 250 yen, lettuce, and salted squid for 280 yen. The oden here was different and lighter than the previous place. The lettuce had cheese on top, which was fancy. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was comfortable.

The cost performance of the "senbero" was excellent! I want to go again! We happened to enter this shop as our second stop, and the cost performance of the "senbero" was great. We were able to enjoy 2 dishes and 3 drinks for a reasonable price, making it a great deal and a place where you can drink for a long time. The food was also delicious.

◉Genre: Standing bar, Oden ◉Area: Uomachi area, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City ◉Access: 5 minutes walk from JR Kokura Station ◉Parking: None (coin parking available nearby) ◉Credit card payment: Not available ◉Number of visits: Almost 10 times ◉Number of reviews: 2nd time On this day, I casually dropped by "New Kakuchi Stand Fukusuke." ◇Exterior and Interior This is a standing bar located in the Ginza street of Uomachi in Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City. It has an old-fashioned standing style. The exterior uses neon lights in a nostalgic way, and the interior has a traditional atmosphere with a playful touch. There is a smoking room inside. ◇Seating Total capacity is about 30 people. ◇Menu Composition The menu is suitable for a standing bar. Snacks, canned food, oden, sashimi, simmered dishes, appetizers, quick menu items, etc. And overall, it's cheap. I usually write about the food I ordered, but recently I've been using it more for sake at the end of the day. And I'm drinking with snacks, I might have finally fallen to the ground. I've been too self-deprecating lately... The lineup of sake is excellent, from the classics to rare and unique options. I already entrust myself to the chef's choice. Thank you as always! ◆Strong Points A popular standing bar for people of all ages and genders! ◆Good service. They immediately responded to my whimsical orders, which I am grateful for. ◆Conclusion It's a lively place popular with various groups, and it seems the popularity is still going strong. I will continue to use it for a closing drink in the future. By the way, it's also recommended for the first round. Thank you for the meal! ^ ^

On the third night in Kitakyushu, our meeting lasted until after 9 o'clock, and there were few restaurants still open. I remembered seeing a standing bar across from Fukusuke Shoten yesterday, so I decided to go there. I quickly ordered a beer, thick fried tofu, and tuna cheek. It was convenient and easy, but perhaps because I was a first-time customer, my additional order was forgotten, which was a bit disappointing.

Momotaro, after Sinatra, my friend praised it as "the most authentic Japanese-style place" when I took them there. It's always crowded from the entrance, but the back is empty... We were able to relax in the back. The Senbero set is a very cost-effective menu with 3 drinks and 2 snacks, but this was our third stop so we ordered individual items. Thank you for the meal!

I knew that "Stand Fukusuke" was going to open diagonally across from "Fukusuke," but when I went on the first day, there was a long line! It seems they were running a campaign with drinks priced at 77 yen. So, I ended up visiting "Sugidama," which also opened on the same day, and I was able to get my first post there. I'm not a local, so I didn't know, but it seems like they are part of a group that handles various types of establishments, from elegant small restaurants to dessert shops. As for this place, I thought it would be a standing version of "Fukusuke," but the food is quite different. While "Fukusuke" has a lot of Kansai-style food, here they serve oden with nukamiso (fermented rice bran paste) on top, which is a style I've never seen before. The nukamiso suggests it might be from Kitakyushu, but I'm not familiar with this way of eating, so I wonder if it's original. The flavor also has hints of Shizuoka-style oden (which uses miso and other condiments) and even a touch of Himeji-style oden. It's quite unique and enjoyable. The simmered pork also had a hint of Okinawan flavor, giving it a sort of non-regional, international cuisine vibe. The 1,000 yen casual drinking set is convenient. The beer is not actually beer but a third-category beer, probably the cheapest can they could find, but if it helps keep the price down, then it's fine.

Ogura Night 4th place. This place is nice too. I wish I had come during happy hour. The staff and regular customers were very welcoming, and I had a fun time drinking. I will definitely visit again.

Did you know that the taste of spring chrysanthemum varies depending on the region? There are different types such as small leaves, medium leaves, and large leaves, but the ones you find in Tokyo supermarkets have thin leaves with deep serrations, known as small leaves. When cooked, they quickly become soft and may stick to the edge of the pot, but they have a strong chrysanthemum-like aroma. I always believed that this was the defining characteristic of spring chrysanthemum. However, when I went to Shimonoseki to eat fugu hot pot, I was served with wide-cut spring chrysanthemum that was less finely chopped and had a smooth texture. It was incredibly delicious! It had a mild chrysanthemum aroma and bitterness, sweet stems that were crunchy, and its width and thickness prevented it from becoming mushy when cooked. I was amazed by the unexpected charm of spring chrysanthemum! I never thought I would be so impressed by spring chrysanthemum while eating fugu. Fugu can be eaten in Tokyo, but you can't find this kind of spring chrysanthemum anywhere else! This discovery led me to investigate different varieties of spring chrysanthemum, including the wide-cut thick leaves from Kanazawa, which had a strong chrysanthemum scent and a wilder taste. However, I still preferred the subtle sweetness and umami of the spring chrysanthemum from Shimonoseki, realizing that the taste is not only influenced by the variety but also by the soil conditions of the region. And then, I visited Kokura, which is just a stone's throw away from Shimonoseki. When I saw "spring chrysanthemum" on the menu of a neo-standing bar serving oden, memories of the delicious spring chrysanthemum came flooding back. I just had to order it! I ordered ◆ Oden Spring Chrysanthemum ◆ Oden Car Fu ◆ Oden Rolled Omelette ◆ Boiled Sardines with Nuka Nuka. In Kokura, there is also a native variety of round-leaved spring chrysanthemum with hardly any stems, so I eagerly awaited to see if it would be the one served or the large leaves. Which one would it be? I was excitedly waiting, and it turned out to be the large leaves! Oh man, it was amazing! So delicious! The stems were sweet and crunchy. I've been longing for this taste! After enjoying the spring chrysanthemum in oden, I bought some as a souvenir from the supermarket. The original oden miso made from boiled sardines with nuka nuka, a specialty of Kokura, was also intriguing. I had a great time at this cozy neo-standing bar that was full of creative ideas and innovations.

Maguro butsu sashi (tuna sashimi) 300 yen, Iwashi no nuka daki (simmered sardines) 280 yen, Oden, maruten (fried fish cake) 50 yen, shungiku (chrysanthemum greens) 80 yen, Hiya (cold sake) 600 yen x 2 【Total】1,910 yen. Oh yeah! The soy sauce was sweet... When you come to Kitakyushu, you definitely have to try nuka daki, right!? It was my first time trying it, but it was surprisingly good. I'm quite satisfied (^^) Thank you for the meal m(_ _)m

◉Genre: Standing bar ◉Area: Uomachi area, Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City ◉Access: 5 minutes on foot from JR Kokura Station ◉Parking: None (coin parking available nearby) ◉Credit card payment: Not available ◉Number of visits: First time ◉Number of reviews: 1st visit On this day, I happened to visit "New Kakuchi Stand Fukusuke" in Uomachi area, Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City. ◇Exterior and Interior This is a standing bar located in the Gintengai arcade in Uomachi, Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City. It has an old-fashioned standing style. The exterior uses traditional neon lights, and the interior has a mix of classic and playful elements. Although it is primarily a standing bar, it is newly opened and well-maintained. ◇Seating: Definitely fits 15 people! ◇Menu Composition The menu is suitable for a standing bar, offering snacks, canned food, oden, sashimi, simmered dishes, side dishes, and quick menu items, all at affordable prices. I ordered the following: - Oden (egg) for 100 yen: As the season gets colder, it's the perfect time for oden. I've heard of the "oden first" theory for standing bars, so I always end up ordering oden regardless of the condition of the bar. I observed my companion, a senior, ordering egg oden. I also ordered spring onions and thick fried tofu. The broth was clear and well-defined, although I expected a bit more comforting richness. Nevertheless, it was delicious and intriguing. ◆Strong Points Although targeted at young people, it seems enjoyable for anyone. ◆Service They promptly accommodated our specific orders, which was much appreciated. ◆Conclusion There are several affiliated stores nearby, seemingly dominating the area. However, each store has its own concept, whether it's desserts, grilled dishes, or Japanese cuisine. It's wonderful to see such variety and creativity. Thank you for the meal.

◆Ogura New Standing Bar Fukuosuke (Senbero・Standing Bar)◆ Fukuosuke is a new standing bar located across from Fukuosuke Shoten. It looked interesting, so I decided to check it out. Besides the menu, they offer a "senbero set" which includes 3 drinks and 2 dishes for ¥1,100 (tax included). I had 3 highballs and added oden. It seems like a place geared towards younger people, but the staff was fun and even us older folks had a good time. I'll definitely come back. Oh, and smoking is allowed inside the store.

Uomachi in Kokura Kita Ward, Kitakyushu City. A second store opened across from Fukusuke Shoten. A shop affiliated with the Betsubara chain. Despite the turmoil of the pandemic, the Betsubara chain continues to open new concept stores. I knew that the standing bar seats at the first store were excellent, and I was aware of the increasing number of standing bars in Kitakyushu, but I was surprised to see a second standing bar opening right in front of the first store. The main menu at the second store is oden. They also offer a variety of side dishes. The standout menu item at this shop is the "Senbero", where you can get really drunk for 1000 yen. You can choose 2 dishes and 3 drinks for the Senbero set. This time, I ordered a draft beer, Sabasara, and added the Senbero set. Sabasara is a canned mackerel salad. You layer canned mackerel, mayonnaise, and onions, then mix them together on a plate. The richness of the canned mackerel and the acidity of the mayonnaise complement each other well. The sweetness and texture of the onions are also excellent. The Senbero set includes black shochu mixed with water, and I chose enoki mushrooms and white konjac from the oden menu. It's definitely a good deal. The dishes may be a bit lacking, but you can easily add more. The oden has a typical white dashi flavor. If asked where to choose a standing bar, I would say here and Sinatra. Thank you for the meal.

I entered the restaurant at 4:00 pm on the second day of opening, but it was already full. I heard that on the first day, it was full from opening until 11:00 pm. After sanitizing hands and getting temperature checked, I stood at the counter as it is a standing bar. Today, they had a special offer for the opening, drinks for only 77 yen! I started with a highball (whiskey soda) which was delicious at 4:00 pm. I also ordered tuna sashimi which was just the right amount and very tasty. The mackerel sashimi was also delicious with a nice vinegar flavor. The oden (Japanese stew) had daikon radish, thick tofu, egg, corn, fish cake, and rolled omelette, all of which were tasty and well-cooked. I had 2 highballs, 2 sweet potato shochu with water, and all the food for only 1300 yen. It's a very delicious and reasonably priced place. They usually have budget-friendly options as well. I will definitely come back. By the way, this place is related to "Giraffemonochrome" not "Girolamo." That's why it's so good!

On July 15, 2021, Fukuosuke Nigoten opened across from the Fukuosuke Shoten. This place is called Stand Fukuosuke and offers standing-style drinking. I had been watching the progress of the construction, but with the summer heat making standing drinking even more challenging, I had put off visiting for a while thinking someone else would go. However, the situation changed the night before the opening. A certain local hero representing Kitakyushu had been invited and posted about it on Twitter, recommending menu items and mentioning that there are cheap drinks available, along with a message urging everyone to check it out. With such a recommendation, I had to go as soon as possible! On the day of the opening, it was quite crowded, especially during the initial rush, but it calmed down a bit by the time I entered. Even so, the grand opening campaign, like at Fukuosuke Shoten, was lively, so the business was doing well. It seemed like the food was taking a bit longer to be served, as a staff member rushed from the first store with a tray full of fried skewers to the second store, providing a natural food tease to passersby. Although the all-you-can-drink deal was quite a bargain, having three drinks meant I had to pace myself for a longer drinking session. Since my main purpose was a pilgrimage to this sacred place, I didn't fuss too much over my order and went for a lemon sour and maguro butsu (tuna and burdock root), along with the hero-recommended pork knuckle stew as a single order. As expected, the items were served within seconds of ordering! - Maguro Butsu (300 yen): Quite ordinary. It's nice to be able to have a small amount to eat for 300 yen. - Pork Knuckle Stew (380 yen): I had never tried this type of dish before, but it was a big hit! It's like a combination of simmered pork knuckle and pork trotters, perfect for those who like either one. Although it's called knuckle stew, there were no bones in the portion I had, and it was very tender and gelatinous. The sweet simmering broth had a delicious flavor, and I even drank it all up. - Lemon Sour (290 yen): A refreshing, lightly sweet sour drink that is easy to drink. It's similar to the lemon sour at a specialty bar rather than the canned chu-hi from the store. - Frozen Pineapple Sour (550 yen): Since it seemed like no new customers were coming in, I thought, "Can I have another drink?" and added this one. It had a lot of frozen pineapple and was delicious. It was like getting into a festive mood ahead of everyone else. - Potato Salad (290 yen): I ordered this as an addition to go with the pineapple sour. I almost mistook it for ice cream at first glance! The mayonnaise flavor was subtle, but it had plenty of roughly mashed boiled eggs, which I like in a potato salad. I went in with low expectations due to the casual and affordable nature of the place, but I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied. I stayed for about 30-40 minutes and had a quick-paced standing drink session, but I still felt content. I haven't tried the oden yet, so I might come back when I have more time. The new opening, coupled with the standing-style format, made me a bit concerned about crowding, but each person had a generous amount of space allocated, and there was no sense of crowding with the adjacent tables. There were also shelves and hooks for bags underneath. This sense of spaciousness and comfort, along with a bit of attention to detail, made me wonder if this was a new type of standing-style bar or if they were adjusting the number of guests to avoid crowding. I really enjoyed the casual and welcoming atmosphere of this pop-style standing bar, which was on par with my favorite bar. As a fan of sour drinks who can't handle the taste of alcohol well, I found the drinks here to be superior. I'll definitely be back for more! *Note: Today, all drinks were offered for free for under 1,000 yen, but the regular price range has been selected for this review.