Tabelog ratingDaidai (橙) offers a focused and reverent take on Hakata's signature dish, mizutaki. The experience is a ritual: staff prepare the hotpot at your table, guiding you through a tasting of the broth at three distinct stages. It begins as a clear, pure stock made from fresh, morning-handled young chicken, then deepens after chicken meatballs (tsukune) are added, and finally reaches its richest point after simmering with vegetables. This progressive evolution of the soup is what guests consistently praise as the highlight.
Diners love the initial clear broth and the tender, varied cuts of chicken, including thigh, drum, and wing. The tsukune are noted for adding a distinct sweetness to the pot. To finish, most guests opt for either zōsui (a savory rice porridge made with the remaining broth) or somen noodles, often calling it the best part of the meal. The à la carte karaage (fried chicken) is also a frequently recommended side.
However, the experience has some recurring issues. Several non-Japanese visitors have reported brusque or indifferent service, a stark contrast to the attentive service mentioned by many local reviewers. The online reservation system, which requires a credit card pre-authorization, has also been a source of confusion for some. A minority of diners find the later-stage broth too oily or salty. With a mandatory set course per person and extra charges for the finish, some feel it's a good but perhaps once-only experience.
Reviewers in 2024–2026 typically spent ¥3,000–¥3,999 for lunch and ¥5,000–¥5,999 for dinner. The mizutaki course costs around ¥4,150 per person, with the final zōsui at about ¥350 and somen at ¥250. Karaage is priced per piece, at about ¥160.
- Booking: Reservations are essential and can be made online. The system opens on the first of the month for bookings up to the end of the following month. A credit card pre-authorization or deposit is required.
- Access: The restaurant is a 3-minute walk from Ohorikoen Station on Subway Line 1.
- Payment: Credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) and PayPay are accepted. Electronic money is not.
- Service: Be aware that service quality can be inconsistent, particularly for international guests. While some staff speak English or Chinese, others have been described as indifferent.
- Seating: The restaurant has 74 table seats. There are no private rooms.
- Rules: The restaurant is entirely non-smoking. There is a ¥300 per person appetizer fee. Children are welcome, but it's wise to confirm any specific needs when booking.
- Parking: No dedicated parking is available, but there are paid public parking lots nearby.
