If you’re traveling to Fukuoka, you cannot miss motsunabe—a flavorful Japanese hot pot made with beef or pork offal and vegetables. This hearty dish is a local specialty and a must-try culinary experience. To help you navigate the ordering process and enjoy motsunabe like a pro, here are some useful Japanese phrases and practical tips for dining in Fukuoka’s motsunabe restaurants. 😊
Basic Phrases: Ordering Motsunabe
1. Ordering the Dish
- “One pot of motsunabe, please.”
モツ鍋を一つください。
(Motsunabe o hitotsu kudasai.) - “What do you recommend?”
おすすめメニューは何ですか？
(Osusume menyuu wa nan desu ka?) - “What kinds of flavors do you have?”
どんな味がありますか？
(Donna aji ga arimasu ka?)
2. Choosing the Flavor
Motsunabe is typically served in flavors like miso, soy sauce, or salt:
- “I’ll have the miso flavor.”
味噌味でお願いします。
(Miso aji de onegaishimasu.) - “I’ll take the soy sauce flavor.”
醤油味でお願いします。
(Shoyu aji de onegaishimasu.) - “I’ll go with the salt flavor.”
塩味でお願いします。
(Shio aji de onegaishimasu.)
3. Adding Extra Ingredients
- “Can I add extra toppings?”
トッピングは追加できますか？
(Toppingu wa tsuika dekimasu ka?) - “Please add more offal.”
ホルモンを追加してください。
(Horumon o tsuika shite kudasai.) - “Please add more vegetables.”
野菜をもっと追加してください。
(Yasai o motto tsuika shite kudasai.)
Useful Phrases During Your Meal
1. Complimenting the Taste
- “It’s really delicious!”
本当においしいです！
(Hontou ni oishii desu!) - “The broth is so tasty.”
スープが本当においしいです。
(Suupu ga hontou ni oishii desu.)
2. Asking for Help
- “I need some water.”
水をください。
(Mizu o kudasai.) - “Could I have another plate?”
もう一つお皿をください。
(Mou hitotsu osara o kudasai.)
3. Finishing Your Meal
- “We’d like to finish. Please bring the bill.”
食事を終えたいです。お会計をお願いします。
(Shokuji o oetai desu. Okaikei o onegaishimasu.) - “Can I pay by credit card?”
クレジットカードで払えますか？
(Kurejitto kaado de haraemasu ka?)
Enjoying the Shime (Finishing the Hot Pot)
One of the best parts of enjoying motsunabe is the shime—a final dish made with the remaining broth. Here’s how to order it:
- “I’d like to finish with udon noodles.”
締めはうどんにしたいです。
(Shime wa udon ni shitai desu.) - “I’d like to finish with zosui (rice porridge).”
締めは雑炊にしたいです。
(Shime wa zousui ni shitai desu.)
The rich, bubbling broth makes the shime incredibly flavorful, whether you opt for udon noodles or rice. Don’t miss out!
Recommended Motsunabe Restaurants in Fukuoka
Here are a few of the most famous motsunabe restaurants to try in Fukuoka:
- Hakata Motsunabe Maedaya (博多もつ鍋 前田屋)
- Price: Around 1,450 yen
- Highlights: Offers a variety of flavors and side dishes.
- Hakata Motsunabe Ooyama (博多もつ鍋 おおやま)
- Price: Around 1,500 yen
- Highlights: Popular for its miso, soy sauce, and mizutaki soup bases.
- Motsunabe Shoraku (もつ鍋 笑楽)
- Price: Around 1,520 yen
- Highlights: Traditional atmosphere with authentic motsunabe.
- Ichifuji (一藤)
- Price: Around 5,000 yen
- Highlights: A modern, upscale setting with an array of a la carte options.
Conclusion
Motsunabe isn’t just a dish—it’s a unique cultural experience and a beloved Fukuoka specialty. By using the Japanese phrases and tips provided above, you can order with confidence and enjoy this hearty hot pot to the fullest. Make your Fukuoka trip even more memorable with a steaming bowl of delicious motsunabe! 😊
