Hey there, I’m Mirin from Fukuoka! So, I’m from Fukuoka, but I’ve only had motsunabe like twice before, you know? Anyway, since motsunabe is one of the famous dishes in Hakata, I went to this well-known motsunabe restaurant called “Rakutenchi” in Tenjin. My thoughts after trying it? “Delicious, the champon noodles are great too. But I’d like to try motsunabe from other places.”
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Basic Info
- Address: 1F, 1-58 Daimyo 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 810-0041
- Phone: 092-717-5002
- Official Website: https://rakutenti.com/
Getting to the Original Motsunabe “Rakutenchi”
The Tenjin Nishidori branch is super close to Tenjin Station! Just about a 5-minute walk from Nishitetsu Tenjin Station. It’s along a big street in Tenjin called “Nishidori.”
Since there’s a lot of traffic and foot traffic around the Nishidori area, I wouldn’t really recommend driving. The parking spaces are limited, so public transportation is way more convenient.
If you see a sign with a wood pattern like the one in the picture above on Nishidori, that’s the motsunabe place you’re looking for.
Inside Atmosphere of “Rakutenchi”
It’s got a small entrance that’s easy to spot from the front, but if you’re just strolling along Nishidori, you might miss it if you’re not paying attention.
When I visited around 3 PM on a weekday, there were only a few customers, just us. It was perfect for the COVID era with only one staff member.
The first floor had counter seats, if I remember correctly. The second floor had table seats.
We got seated on the middle level when we entered. The middle level had a mix of table and counter seats.
Table seats were along the walls. The place itself didn’t seem that new, and the interior had a slightly worn look. Honestly, I expected it to be a bit more well-maintained, so I was a bit disappointed. I’ve been to other motsunabe places that were quite messy, so I wondered if motsunabe places tend to show wear and tear easily.
Menu and Thoughts on the Original Motsunabe “Rakutenchi”
We ordered from the lunch menu since we were there during lunchtime. For 1,480 yen, enjoying motsunabe sounds pretty affordable.
The regular menu seemed like the one below. Lunchtime is definitely a good deal.
First came the vinegar-seasoned motsu. It had just the right tanginess and a refreshing aftertaste. I really enjoyed it. I’d totally have it again!
Then, the motsunabe appeared. Lots of leeks piled in a metal pot. I got excited seeing this huge pile. A calm server put the pot on a burner and lit it for us. They told us to wait until the vegetables got soft.
During that time, I went downstairs to grab some condiments. There were things like yuzu and mentaiko lined up. I tried them with the food, but I actually liked the original flavor without condiments.
After about 5-10 minutes, the server came and lowered the flame. The leeks got quite soft, and when the leek mountain got lower, it was time to eat.
The steam was so intense that my phone’s camera even fogged up.
The soup was soy-based. It had leeks, cabbage, tofu, and motsu, with a spicy kick. It was pretty darn tasty. Despite the huge pile, two adults polished it off in no time. It was delicious, but it didn’t bring out any special excitement. It felt like a normal motsunabe. What’s up with that feeling?
When the ingredients were nearly gone, we summoned the server to add noodles.
After a few minutes, the noodles turned out really well, all slippery and yummy.
We cracked an egg onto the plate and dipped the noodles in the beaten egg to enjoy champon. The champon noodles were quite tasty as well.
My actual thoughts after eating? It’s good, but when it comes to having the same motsunabe again, I felt a bit uncertain. Motsunabe itself is tasty, so next time, I want to try motsunabe from other places. I thought motsunabe would be a more mind-blowing dish. Maybe I had too high expectations. My family who went with me said the same thing, so I’m going to continue my quest for the ultimate motsunabe experience.
Who Should Try the Original Motsunabe “Rakutenchi”?
“Rakutenchi” is a famous motsunabe spot. There are several branches in Fukuoka’s downtown area “Tenjin,” so it’s easily accessible. If you want to enjoy motsunabe without making a reservation and just feel like having it easily, this is a great recommendation.