Kiwamiya:
Best Hamburg Steak In Fukuoka
Fukuoka, Japan, September 14, 2019
We visited Fukuoka with my mother-in-law, and she recommended this wagyu steak house, called Kiwamiya, where you can grill your own meat on a hot stone plate. She mentioned she had it before and it was so good that she’s been craving it ever since. I told her, “Say no more, you had us at Wagyu”. So we went and gave it a try ourselves.
The Location
Kiwamiya has two locations In Fukuoka, along with branches in Tokyo and Nagoya. We visited the one conveniently situated just outside of Hakata bus station in Fukuoka City.
We arrived around 5 pm, hoping to avoid the dinner rush, but there was already a line. Dinner is the busiest time, so be prepare for a long queue. We waited for about 30 minutes, which wasn’t too bad. Luckily, the weather was nice outside in September. They provide menus to those in line, so you can decide what to order before being seated, speeding things up a bit.
The restaurant is quite small inside, with about 20 seats packed into a cozy space. As you enter, the mouth-watering aroma of barbecued meat surrounds you. Diners sit side by side at long tables, leaving little room to move around. This place is designed for a quick dining and fast turnover.
One unique feature is the individual ventilation system for each customer on the table, right in front of you. It’s a pretty neat concept.
The Recommended Dishes
Kiwamiya is renowened for its high quality Japanese black beef. In fact, they’re one of the few restaurant that offer Imari beef from Saga Prefecture. Imari beef is a premium type of Wagyu beef from the Saga Prefecture in Japan. To be classified as Imari beef, the meat must meet rigorous standards, including a high score on the Beef Marbling Standards (BMS). This ensure that the only best cuts are labeled as Imari beef.
Since Imari beef is the highlights of their menu, Sonia, the carnivour connoisseur, just had to order it. And just look at that vivid meat color and that intricate marbling. This marbling of fat gives the beef a rich, buttery flavour that just melts in your mouth. Grilling the meat and dipping it in a little salt adds an extra savory kick, perfectly balancing the meat’s natural sweetness. The flavour and texture are simply outstanding.
Seeing the Hamburg Steak featured on the cover of their menu, I figured it must be special, so that’s what I decided to try. I couldn’t decide between the charcoal-grilled or iron-plate version, so I ordered both. The charcoal grilled steak is exclusive to this Hakata location. Both grilling style were excellent, though perhaps I was just very hungry. I prefer the raw steak on iron plate, cooking it on the stone my self to my preferred doneness.
I like to break the Hamburg steak into smaller pieces and spread them on the grill. It does take a while to cook on that tiny stone, though it helps you to slow down and savor each bite. The meat was so tender and juicy, showcasing its high quality. The Hamburg steak comes with a basic meat sauce for dipping after grilling.
For an additional 400 yen, we enjoyed unlimited bowl of rice, a bowl of miso soup, some salad, pickles, and soft serve ice cream to finish. The rice is no ordinary white rice; It’s polished white rice from Kawazoe-cho in Saga prefecture. Its soft and delicate texture perfectly complements the meats.
Nathan slept through the entire meal, so it was quite a challenge to eat while holding him in an already such a cramped space. I had to be extra careful not to drop any hot barbecued meat on his face. It’s a shame he missed out on tasting this amazing beef. But at least he’ll wake up with a wonderful smell. You snooze, you lose, I suppose!
The price for the amazing quality Imari beef is surprisingly quite reasonable. The Hamburg Steak ranges fromd 1,080 yen for the small size (120g), to 1,680 yen for the large size (200g). The Imari Beef Steak starts from 1,980 yen for small size (120g) and goes up to 2,680 yen for the large size (180g). For such high-quality meat, I think it’s a great deal. They also offer halal menu options.
The Conclusion
Kiwamiya Hakata is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates high-quality Japanese beef. The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere, combined with the fun of cooking your own meat on a hot stone, creates an unforgettable dining experience. Their signature Imari beef, with its rich marbling and buttery flavor, and their tender Hamburg steaks are standout dishes. Despite the long lines and cramped space, the efficient service, thoughtful touches, and excellent food, made it all worth it. Whether you’re a seasoned carnivore or just looking to try something special, Kiwamiya Hakata delivers on all fronts.
Looks amazing!
Looks amazing!