Owner Kengo Matsuo apprenticed at “Hakata Ryo-ya Isogai - Tenjin” for 10 years before going on his own to open “Uoken”, which can be easily spotted by its paper lantern that says “FISH” in large letters. The restaurant is small with 6-7 bar seats and 4 4-top tables, but is an izakaya renowned for its fresh seafood offerings and thorough service.

On this day their “Sashimi Quintet Of The Day” was chu-toro (medium fatty tuna), red snapper, seared bonito, spear squid, and blue mackerel. It’ll make you crave for some sake. Fluffily baked, fragrant “Boarfish Misoyaki” with its delicious miso flavor is “Igogai” alumni Matsuo’s signature dish. After enjoying the sashimi and broiled fish, you have to try their braised fish too! “Sweet and Spicy Kanpachi” and the luxe “Braised Rosy Seabass” are exquisitely delicious. The beauty of seafood is that offerings come and go with the seasons. The “Tricolor Sushi” with sea urchin roe, crab salad, and salmon roe, are filled to the brim with fish! Instead of gunkan-maki (where the nori forms a cup around the rice and fish), the sushi rice is formed into cucumber rolls. Refreshing cucumber makes it an easy-to-enjoy dish.

Many people come to the seaside city of Fukuoka to enjoy seafood. This “delicious fish place” is a perfect place to show some hospitality.