Tabelog ratingTamura (田無羅) is not a typical yakiniku restaurant. It’s a 'meat kappo' experience, where guests sit at an eight-seat counter and watch as the chef grills each piece of meat to perfection. This Fukuoka restaurant blends Japanese grilling precision with Korean flavours, creating a unique and highly personal dinner.
The star of the show, mentioned in nearly every review, is the salt-grilled oxtail (牛テールの塩焼き), praised for its melt-in-the-mouth texture. Guests also consistently laud the imaginative pairings, such as thin-sliced tongue with vegetable wraps, rare cuts like sagari, and even combinations involving foie gras and fruit. The chef's hands-on approach, explaining each cut and preparation, adds to the experience, with English and Korean-speaking staff often available to assist international visitors.
However, some diners find the experience falls short on value. A common criticism is that portions are small for the price, leaving some guests feeling the course is not substantial enough. The service can also be slow, with dinners sometimes lasting two to three hours and delays caused by previous seatings. A few isolated but serious complaints regarding billing and hygiene have been noted, and some visitors felt that regular patrons received preferential treatment.
The meal is a set omakase course, with reviewers recently citing prices of ¥16,500 or ¥20,000–¥22,000 per person. With drinks, a dinner for two can easily cost between ¥30,000 and ¥50,000. While not a budget meal, those seeking a refined, chef-led meat experience for a special occasion often find it worthwhile.
- Reservations: Essential. This is a reservation-only restaurant. Ask your hotel concierge for assistance with booking if needed.
- Getting There: The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Tenjin-Minami Station, a 10-minute walk from Tenjin Station, or a 12-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station.
- Seating: All seating is at the 8-person counter. There are no private rooms.
- Payment: Major credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
- Children: The restaurant generally does not accept children. Guests must be old enough to eat the full tasting course.
- Smoking: The dining area is non-smoking, but a separate smoking room is available on-site.
- Parking: There is no dedicated parking, but paid parking lots are available nearby.
