When you’re tired from work, don’t you just crave a hearty bowl of katsudon?
In Japan, katsudon is considered a lucky dish, often eaten the day before an important match or exam to boost morale and bring good fortune.
Today, let me introduce “Iori,” a katsudon specialty restaurant located just a 3-minute walk from Kasugabaru Station in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Information
One surprising feature at Iori is that you can choose the type of meat for your katsudon!
管理人たいちI went with the pork belly option!
While katsudon is their main specialty, I heard their gyudon (beef bowl) is also phenomenal.
Next time, I’ll give that a try!
They also offer set meals with udon or soba, which pair perfectly with their katsudon or oyakodon.
They also offer set meals with udon or soba, which pair perfectly with their katsudon or oyakodon.
On this particular day, there were a few other customers, so it took a little longer for my food to arrive.
However, I appreciated the care and attention they put into preparing each meal.
Previously, the restaurant was run by an elderly couple, but now a young gentleman is enthusiastically managing it.
(He mentioned they’re hiring part-time staff—just a heads-up. )
Here’s the katsudon (pork belly) and mini udon set I ordered ↓↓ (¥1,120).
The crispy breaded cutlet paired excellently with their secret sauce!
The egg was perfectly soft and semi-cooked, beautifully blending with the cutlet and rice.
The udon had a nostalgic, old-fashioned taste that was incredibly comforting.
Although I forgot to take photos of the interior, the restaurant’s décor exudes a retro Showa-era vibe, making it a very relaxing space.
Google Reviews
“This place has a nostalgic atmosphere. The owner’s wife provides top-notch service. The flavors are classic and delicious, especially their rice bowls and fried dishes—they’re outstanding.”
“I’ve been visiting since its previous iteration as Dangoan, and I come even more frequently after the renewal. You can still enjoy the pork belly katsudon, but now you can switch to pork loin or try their exciting new menu items. Every visit is something to look forward to!”
“I had the tendon and mini udon. The tempura pieces were huge! Even though the udon is mini-sized, it was absolutely delicious. The nostalgic, old-fashioned interior with 80s music playing in the background is the cherry on top. Such a cozy spot.”
“Their pork belly katsudon is hands down the best katsudon I’ve ever had. The combination of their tamago udon and pork belly katsudon is unbeatable.”
