Seafood Lunch @ Sakanaya Syu, Hakata, Fukuoka

 

After a successful sojourn into the suburban part of town, it is time to find more diamonds in the rough. In fact, I found this amazing place on the way back from my previous tonteki expedition (click here). Tucked in a multitier public parking lot, I would like to introduce you to Sakanaya Syu. 

Hidden gem

This hidden gem serves classic Japanese seafood dishes, although they do have a bevy of other stuff in their menu. But it is their seafood that really takes the cake. As mentioned, I found this on the way from Yamada Rosu during a previous lunch walk and my interest really peaked when I saw the menu that was placed on the outside of the establishment. It has a lot of the classic seafood treats that most people are aware of. So during my next lunch break, I have decided to head there. 

Simple done well

The first thing I ordered was the ochazuke. For the uninitiated, it is essentially rice and some toppings mixed with some hot tea. it is commonly eaten at home as a quick fill-me-up in Japanese households, but there are restaurants like this one that really take it to the next level. And the next leven they did. The bowl of rice was loaded with a huge amount of sashimi grade fish, covered with seasoned seaweed and slathered with sesame sauce. And when the hot tea is mixed into everything, it creates a soothing yet flavourful rice porridge which I really enjoyed. 

The transformation is under way

The heat form the tea also cooked the fish, changing the profile and flavour of the dish as the time passes. Yes, I am singing praises towards something that can be done at home, similar to eggs with toast. But when you perfect the simplest ingredients into something that is on another level, you cannot help but just feel incredibly satisfied after having this down your gullet. It was standing at a somewhat steep 1400 yen. But seeing that they were very generous with the portion of fish, I really did not mind at all. 

Ocean in a bowl. 

If you want something more colourful, then why not get the kaisendon, which stands at a mere 1000 yen! This is probably the cheapest kaisendon I had since living in Fukuoka. Most over in the high 1000 mark, some even reaching 2000s. But despite the price, it really delivered. The bowl looked like a rainbow placed in porcelain. The seafood, like the ochazuke, was incredibly fresh and each seafood item was just a joy to gobble down. However, it should be noted that the rice to seafood ratio may leave you wanting. So if you want more toppings, you can ask for the bowl with additional toppings that stands at 1300 yen.  I would strongly recommend that you do. And seeing that it is closer to the price of the ochazuke, I bet it will reach similar heights. 

Crunch time...

However, if you are not into raw seafood, they have cooked items too. I once ordered their aji furai set which came at a modest 900 yen. It comes with 3 decent-sized fried mackerel cutlets, a walloping of tartar sauce, a side salad, some rice and miso soup. This was such a steal. The fish was very good, with the insides were flaky and tender but the outer crust had an amazing crunch. The tartar sauce provided a sweet, sour and salty contrast to the dish and I finished it down with relative ease. Just note that this is fried to order. So tread with caution and take some time to let it cool down. Burning your mouth is not a good idea, as was what has happened to me. Well, despite that, I would so come here again. 

Such coziness...

I know this place can be a bit hard to find and get to but it is absolutely worth the trouble. They do serve dinners and it seems that their dinner menu is pretty impressive as well. With impressive treats like a duck hot pot and other seafood dishes, I have no doubt a night out here can be quite delicious. So if you would like to drop by here for lunch, or have a night out with friends before I do, then the address is as below. Please remember that it is INSIDE a parking lot, so it will not be visible from the get go. 

4 Chome-2-10 Hakataekiminami, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0016

Its inside here. So please take note!