菊鮨 | Kikuzushi, Fukuoka, Japan (Tabelog 4.37)

Visit to Kikuzushi for a weekend getaway. What I enjoyed about Kikuzushi was the jovial atmosphere and chef's friendliness, he's always smiling. Judging by the variety of ingredients showcased across the reviews on here, chef seems quite creative and versatile.

Food:

1. Hokkigai (Hokkaido)

2. Kue (Gōto Island)

3. Ankimo (Yoichi, Hokkaido)

4. Hotaru ika, murasaki uni (Oita), akazu shari mashup

5. Tachiuo

6. Managatsuo (Oita)

7. Nodoguro (Tsushima)

8. Aori ika (Oronoshima)

9. Isaki (Gōto Island)

10. Aji (Shimane)

11. Kasugo (Oita)

12. Akami & Chutoro (Chōshi, Chiba)

13. Ise ebi

14. Awabi-uni-kimo

15. Kurumaebi

16. Negitoro

17. Anago

18. Miso soup

19. Tamago

Unfortunately, no other add ons available. Not sure if this was because it was the 830pm seating.

Otsumami were very good, my favourites being the managatsuo isobeyaki followed by the kue. However, I found the hotaru ika + uni mashup the weakest, the umami from both ingredients competed against each other rather than complemented each other.

For nigiri, there were some unique and playful pieces, such as the ise ebi with its tomalley, the awabi-uni-kimo, and tamago. As fun as the awabi-uni-kimo was, it felt like expensive neta slapped together. Taste-wise it did not work for me (I couldn't actually taste the kimo sauce). I think I would've enjoyed them as separate nigiris. The only real miss of the night was the kurumaebi, it was too firm and likely why it's flavor was so fleeting.

Good news is that Kikuzushi is now on Omakase, so hopefully more seats are released. Bummed that I missed out on Shunji & Kimoto, but glad it went to a friend.

4.1/5