If you thought that the name of this restaurant was a bit of a mouthful, then be rest assured that it is not just a string of Japanese words that means nothing. Deriving its name from a little fishing town in Kyushu , Japan , this quaint little dining space packs in a whole lot of authentic delicacies that will satisfy you completely, without hurting your wallets. This recently-opened restaurant is the second venture by restaurateur and executive chef Mr. Steven Liaw, who is a former chef from the prestigious Suntory Restaurant, and also owns the popular Kyushu Nihon Ryori located at West Coast that has already been around for 8 years.

• The Ambience
  Hakata Nihon Ryori is a cosy restaurant along Mohammed Sultan Road that accommodates only up to 50 guests. Decorated with an uncanny resemblance to an eating house in Kyushu , this restaurant is simply furnished with warm wood and jazzed up with little Japanese ornaments hanging on its walls. Upon entering through the glass doors, racks of Japanese comics, newspapers and magazines line the hall alongside a fully stocked bar showcasing a myriad variety of Japanese Shochu and Sake. Furthermore, guests will be greeted sweetly in Japanese by the waitresses who are neatly clad in Japanese-inspired uniforms, and are commendably attentive and polite to everyone. Should you wish to host a dinner party, the private rooms in Hakata Nihon Ryori are ideal as it can hold up to a maximum of 20 diners within and are discreetly hidden behind Japanese screen doors that ensure a reasonable amount of privacy.

• The Food
  While others may reserve some doubts of the authenticity of Japanese food being prepared by a local chef, there is absolutely no need to be cynical as Mr. Liaw is one skilful chef indeed. Picking up cooking skills from his Japanese sensei from Kyushu , he is a passionate chef who is dedicated in perfecting his styles by constantly embarking on trips to Japan to refresh and re-educate himself on the right techniques to adopt and practice. The variety offered here is extensive; with a choice of Japanese favourites of Sashimi, Sushi, Domburimono, Tempura, Sukiyaki, Shabu Shabu, Yakitori, Udon, Soba, Ramen as well as rice and soy items. Certainly visual appeal is a Japanese culinary trademark, and the taste of everything Mr. Liaw does is sublime. One noteworthy highlight is the fact that all the fish that this humble restaurant prepares are air flown in 4 times a week from Fukuoka and Tokyo to ensure optimum freshness for consumption.

  With such freshness guaranteed, a visit to Nakata Nihon Ryori definitely warrants an order of their fish! Some recommendations include the Aji Tataki ($18), which is a seasonal horse mackerel sashimi and the Tara Mentaiko Yaki ($16), a delicious dish of grilled cod fish that is actually a specialty of the Fukuoka prefecture. The horse mackerel sashimi tasted so fresh and flavoured only by its natural sweetness. The grilled cod fish was similarly smooth and succulently accented with the layer of spicy roe and mayonnaise enveloped around it.

  Meat lovers will do well to order the Buta Kakuni ($8) and Yakiniku Karubi ($20). Slowly simmered in a claypot for 2 hours, the Buta Kakuni is a delectable dish of pork that has managed to trap all the natural flavours within which also successfully infused scents of Japanese sake, ginger and soya sauce. The Yakiniku Karubi, which consists of a platter of stir-fried American beef slices, was equally tantalizing, with its succulence and hints of miso seasoning which made this a deeply fragrant and scrumptious dish. Neutralize everything with the House specialty Kyushu-style Tonkotsu Ramen ($10) which is made from fine egg noodles cooked in a pork-bone broth which has been boiled for at least 10 hours to give it its exquisite flavour, and is also loaded full of calcium and protein goodness.

• The Shochu and Sake
  A Japanese meal is never complete with an accompaniment of sweet Japanese liquors of Shochu and Sake. This restaurant offers a list of over 10 brands of Shochu, with popular choices like the Mugi Ichi Roman and Kobiki, and over 20 types of hot and cold sake with famous brands like Sawanotsuru Ginjyo Zuicho and Hakkaisan Honjyozo.

The SD Food Advisor’s take on Hakata Nihon Ryori
It is rare to find a restaurant that can serve up so many dishes that can please even the fussiest of palates, but this restaurant has managed to do it. Every time I thought that a certain dish is good, the next one served tastes even better! The results are stunning, almost worth five stars for sheer ambition alone, and certainly for Mr. Liaw’s masterful execution of beautifully conceived dishes. Only those who are passionate about their craft can whip a feast like this. And they certainly do not come along often.