Hotaru — Restaurant in Fukushima Prefecture

Hotaru – A Hidden Gem for a Hearty and Affordable Meal in Fukushima City

If you’re in Fukushima City, especially near Fukushima Station (Eki), Hotaru is a must-visit for a satisfying and memorable meal. It’s possibly the healthiest and most affordable set meal you’ll find in the area.

We stumbled upon this cozy restaurant after a long day of snowboarding and arrived just before closing time. Upon entering, a friendly woman asked us to choose our meal before taking a seat—which felt unusual at first. For a moment, we thought we had to pay upfront, but it turns out they simply wanted us to select from a set menu (A/B/C) since there were no physical menus at the tables.

The ambiance was fascinating, with a TV showing programs about restaurants from different countries. It felt like a true Japanese family restaurant, giving off a welcoming and nostalgic vibe.

Food & Experience

Our order arrived quicker than expected—and to our surprise, it was huge! Maybe even gigantic, haha. The meal came with an incredible variety of side dishes, and best of all, unlimited rice (okawari), which is rare in Japanese-style restaurants.

At one point, we noticed someone at the next table drinking sake. We initially thought it was a fellow customer, but later realized it was actually the owner(?) enjoying a drink while watching TV. Another woman was feeding her baby nearby, which brought back childhood memories for me.

The dinner was absolutely delicious and incredibly healthy. Honestly, I wanted another bowl of rice, but if I did, I might not have been able to move after, haha.

A Unique Ending

Throughout our meal, the owner was casually drinking and watching TV, seemingly in his own world. But as soon as we finished and said “Gochisousama deshita” (thank you for the meal), he suddenly perked up, happy to chat with us. He seemed genuinely pleased when we praised the food.

Overall, Hotaru is a place that embodies home-cooked warmth, affordability, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Definitely a hidden gem in Fukushima City that I’d recommend to anyone looking for an authentic and satisfying...

たまに出かけますが、料理にばらつきがあるので皆さんほど評価は高くないです。 量的には満足できるでしょう。ランチの刺身とご飯も美味しいです。他の小鉢は手作りの品を小分けにされていて、全体的な栄養のバランスもいいと思います。 でも煮物はとてつもなくしょっぱいことがあります。この前はサトイモの大きなものかと思って口に入れたら、なんと大根でした。とろとろになったそれは味がしみこみ過ぎていていました。でもまぁ、食べましたけど。 あと、作り置き感が強いものがあったり、なんとなくレンジで温めなおしたものがあるような気がします。 コーヒーの類はセルフでいただけます。でもインスタントです。 なんか、頂き物をお店で提供している感があります。

感想としては料理人のプロの味ではなく、かといって年季の入ったベテラン食堂とも違う。ごく普通の家庭の味といったところでしょうか。 お店に食べに来たというより、お昼に実家に食べに寄ったという雰囲気があります。 禁煙になっていないので、込み合う時間帯はたばこの煙が凄いこともあります。待っている間ならいいのですが、食べているときにそうなるともう最悪なので、行くときは時間をずらして行くようにしています。せめてお昼くらいは禁煙にするとか、改...

Japan experience as a homemade meal set A B C which seems to varies daily. Delicious and natural taste of product. Also...