Japan Guide
Kyūshū
Eating
1 
Gunkei 8-12 Chūō-dōri 
0985/28-4365 
www.gunkei.jp Tender jidori chicken seared over coals and brought sizzling to the table is the order of the day in this great restaurant, decorated in traditional rustic style buried in the nightlife district. There's no English menu, but ask for the jidori set (¥2600) and you won't be disappointed. It also serves sashimi, soba, salads and other fare. Reservations strongly recommended. Opening time: Daily 5–11.30pm
2 Kobipo 3-4-24 Tachibana-dōri Higashi This friendly, Israeli-owned restaurant hidden down an alley immediately south of the Yamakataya department store serves tasty and inexpensive Middle Eastern food. Tuck into falafel (spicy fava bean patties), couscous or laffa (pitta bread) rolls with humous. Opening time: Tues– Sat 11am–2pm & 6–10pm
3 Kokoro 6-24 Chūō-dōri Stylish vegetarian izakaya where the friendly English-speaking owner will guide you through the extensive menu. Portions aren't huge but the food is lovingly prepared and presented. The ¥2000 course menu represents good value. Otherwise, count on around ¥2500–3000 a head. It's behind a low, wooden door and a bit tricky to spot. Opening time: Tues– Sun 5pm–2am
4 Ogura 3-4-24 Tachibana-dōri Higashi. A diner-style restaurant next door to Kobipo offering good, cheap food, which has hardly changed since they invented chicken Namban (¥950) here in 1968, even down to Sinatra crooning on the sound track. They also serve burgers, fried pork cutlets, curry rice and other comfort food in generous portions. Opening time: Daily except Tues 11am–3pm & 5–8.30pm
5 Sangam 1-2-25 Tachibana-dōri Nishi A warm welcome and cracking curries make it worth the walk to this long-established curry house at the south end of Tachibana-dōri. The Bombay-style chicken curry is a perennial favourite, and they'll add extra spices if you like your curries fiery. Price: Lunch sets at ¥1000 and ¥1500 Opening time: Daily noon–2pm & 6.30–11pm
6 Suginoko 2-1-4 Tachibana-dōri Nishi 0985/22-5798 One of the city's most famous restaurants, at the southern end of Tachibana-dōri, serving tasty country cooking in elegant surroundings. Try their lunchtime Kuroshio teishoku or Shokado bentō sampler (both ¥1600). Price: Evening course menus start at ¥4200 Opening time: Daily 11.30am–2pm & 4–10.30pm; closed for lunch once a week, usually Mon, but phone to check