Tempura Hirao — Restaurant in Fukuoka

We are visiting Japan from the USA for the second time, and we decided to come back to this restaurant a couple years after our first visit because we enjoyed it so much the last time. I’m happy to report that we were equally pleased with the experience.

There is a little bit of friction for visitors like us that don’t read Japanese. While they do have English (and other languages) menus available online via their website or QR code that links to that site, the site loads slowly, the menus items don’t have clear descriptions until you open a subpage from the menu item name for more info, and even when you figure out what you want you will also need to figure out what button to press on the ticket machine which is in Japanese.

I got mixed up and pressed the wrong button but I’m not a particularly picky eater and have no dietary restrictions so I just had that instead, which ended up being very good.

Once we managed to get our tickets, we sat on the waiting bench until called to the counter. We presented our tickets, washed our hands with the damp towel, and was promptly served our drinks and food. The tempura comes out one piece at a time so by the time I was ready for the next one it was just cool enough for me to eat it comfortably.

Because everything is paid for in advance, after dining there is no need to go to a register.

I was originally going to order the 7 vegetable set, but ended up clicking the button for the Tempura set meal which is the only meal set that has mackerel, and is a fish focused set.

I wish I would have figured out what I wanted and what button it is on the machines before I even came to the restaurant to make getting the ticket easier but I’ll try to keep that in mind next time.

I think a good change would be to add menu item numbers to the buttons on the ticket machines so if you know you want meal set number 7 for example by looking on the English menus you just look for the number 7.

We had a wonderful meal, and when I am blessed to visit this city again I would very much like to...

“One of the really really good tempura spot in Fukuoka.”

Arrived at 1.40 pm, and was joking that we wouldn’t be waiting for more than 40 minutes. Lol we exceeded that time frame. After waiting outside, there are two more waiting bench inside with designated line to be seated in. The boss would definitely ask you to move within the line on the bench. Understandable.

To the tempura side, the machine has English description on the side. You pay, get the ticket, once your turn has arrived, sit, give the guy your ticket. Simple.

The tempura set was decent, very decent. Picked the one with 4 shrimps and didn’t disappoint after 50 minutes of waiting lol. The batter was light yet super crispy. The flavor of the ingredients were all there whether they were mackerel, cuttlefish, peas & etc. Pour your own water. Set arrives with Shiokara (fermented squid with yuzu) + miso + rice. (900-1100yens)

Spent 20 minutes eating.

Will definitely come back with a better wait...

Eat just fried tempura with power to defeat your parents' enemies.

It is a quote left by a writer who is famous for the samurai novel, but the store in the form of this quote is Hirao.

That's because the tempura is the best right just after fried. As time goes by, it gets worse. Take photos quickly and have a quick tempura !

A store that offers a series of flows that are prepared, fried, and provided to customers.

It is not an upscale material, but cooks ordinary materials carefully. This shop has rationality and taste in Japan.

In addition, it is Shiokara (salted squid guts) that you should not forget along with tempura. Some customers come to eat Shiokara, not tempura. Squids have been rising lately due to unfishing these days and are becoming increasingly valuable.

Hirao has 6 stores including this Daimyo store, and many customers are lined up everywhere.

Please note that all stores food...