Tabelog ratingFukuno Ie Tanaka (ふくの家たなか) is a true fugu specialist in Sapporo, offering an immersive experience with Japan's most famous delicacy. The restaurant serves live tora-fugu (tiger pufferfish), flown in from Shimonoseki and kept in a tank on-site, ensuring maximum freshness. The experience is structured around multi-course meals served in private tatami or horigotatsu rooms, making it feel like a special occasion.
Guests consistently praise the variety and quality of the preparations. Highlights include the delicate tessa (thinly sliced fugu sashimi), crunchy fugu karaage (deep-fried fugu), and the rich, creamy shirako (pufferfish milt), often served grilled. The meal traditionally concludes with a flavorful zōsui (rice porridge made with the hotpot broth), and many single out the fragrant hirezake (hot sake with a grilled fugu fin) as a must-try. Service is frequently described as friendly and accommodating to international visitors.
While the private rooms are appreciated, some reviewers note they are not fully soundproof, and noise from adjacent parties can carry. A few also mention that the smell of cigarette smoke can drift between partitions. Minor inconsistencies in portioning or seasoning have been reported on rare occasions.
For a specialty restaurant, Fukuno Ie Tanaka is considered excellent value. Reviewers in 2025–2026 reported paying around ¥10,890 for a full course including shirako, while a more basic tora-fugu course was cited at about ¥7,000. Expect a typical dinner to cost between ¥10,000 and ¥14,999 per person.
- Getting There: The restaurant is on the 7th floor of the Sanjo Bisho Building, a 5-minute walk from Susukino Station or a 7-minute walk from Odori Station.
- Reservations: Booking is recommended, especially on weekends. While some guests have managed to walk in, calling ahead is wise. Staff are reported to be helpful to non-Japanese speakers.
- Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Seating: Seating is primarily in private rooms for groups of two or more, with options for tatami, horigotatsu (sunken floor), or standard tables. A few counter seats are also available.
- Smoking: The restaurant is officially designated as non-smoking.
- Age Restriction: Children are welcome.
- Seasonal: Note that the restaurant is closed during the summer months of June, July, and August.
