Chazuke @ Chazuke + Niku Udon En, Tenjin Chikagai, Fukuoka

 

Considered Japan's quick fix food, most people assume that chazuke is just  rice and tea with some topping. To some extent this is true but thing will evolve to a whole other level if its done properly. Gone with the days that you topped hot tea with some flaky tuna ( although it does taste ok from time to time), and let En take care of you. Considering the fact this is their sole branch in Kyushu, I was looking forward to this. Chazuke + Niku Udon En (だし茶漬け＋肉うどん えん) or just En for short, is a specialty Chazuke spot, that just opened recently in the Tenjin Chikagai Underground mall. As the same suggests, they do have udon too. However, the noodle dish has been well represented already so it will only be proper in taking something else instead. 

Kinda fancy, if you tell me. 

Unlike the tea and rice combo that most people will make at home, En provides you with a fish based dashi as its hot beverage alternative. And with various toppings you find out of a high end restaurant, you will be well taken cared of during your lunchtime, or dinner if you so choose. I got myself a white fish and sesame bowl. Similar to goma saba which is a classic Fukuoka style dish, this was pretty tasty. 

Here we go

So once your number is called, a tray with your main bowl some side dishes and a pot of broth will be ready for your consumption. Naturally, you would need to pour in the broth first before taking everything down.The hot broth help cook the sashimi grade fish somewhat, giving it an interesting texture. And the sesame sauce combining with that hot broth made things quite interesting. This taste more like a Chinese congee instead of the standard chazuke that I am familiar with. But that makes things all the better. This decent bowl with sides stood at a modest 850 yen. 

There goes the tuna!

However, if you would like something else, this place really excels in variety. During another visit, I tried their tuna bowl which stood at a 980 yen. You are given a decent serving of lean red tuna placed on top of your rice and just gobble it down as you please. Of course, do pour the broth beforehand. Being at such a price, you will not get some fatty cuts. But that does not mean this was not tasty. it definitely was. The simple tuna and rice really evolved with that hot and savoury dashi broth. 

Oh boy!

If you want something else to help cool you down instead, they do have cold broth chazuke. And for this version, I got myself Hokkaido scallops which stood at 950. This was quite reasonable considering the ingredients in store. The broth is chilled so it may not be what some people might like. It definitely felt a bit strange, but at the same time comforting as it help be combat the summer heat very well. The seasoned shellfish was great too. It was had some vinegar on it and was quite fresh, giving it a zesty edge to the entire thing. Unlike the previous entries, they will pour the broth in for your for this one. 

Despite being called Japan's fast food, do note that this place may take some time to serve you. Due to it being new, a lot of customers would end up flocking here. But if you want a simple dish that still satisfies and on a budget, the bowls from En would sort you out just fine. If my office is located in Tenjin I would probably come here once a week. So if you fancy a go, then the address is as follows:

第022区, West 11th Block, 福岡市天神2丁目 地下 天神地下街, Fukuoka 810-0001