All-you-can-eat spicy cod roe “Mentaiko” and leaf mustard “Takana”: worth lining up for

This is my go-to place if I want a big satisfying lunch. Expect to wait in line at all Yamaya branches. This time I got very lucky, there were only two ladies waiting when I got there a little after lunch hour. Because there is always a line, Yamaya put in place a good system: you order and pay beforehand, while waiting. Bravo for efficiency.

You can purchase specialties of Hakata at the restaurant. My personal favorite is the “Mentai-okaki” (spicy cod roe flavored dried mochi crisps).

You can choose to sit at one of the big wooden tables or at the comfortable looking counter.

Here is the lunch menu. It comes with all-you-can-eat mentaiko and takana! I chose the “Shoga-yaki” (ginger-fried pork) for the main dish. I’m feeling a bit tired from the summer heat. Pork is full of nutrients to charge up your energy.

Pleasant service by speedy staff

I was introduced to the table at the very back. It feels great to be served by the competent end efficient staff. I sat at my table from where I have the view of the whole room. Although it is crowded, the room is spacious and has a relaxed atmosphere.

The mentaiko and takana in the adorable containers are placed at the middle of the table. You can use the tongs and spoon placed next to them when sharing with other customers.

Satisfying quantity of shoga-yaki

The shoga-yaki I had ordered arrived one minute later. So quick!
The thick slices of pork come with a bowl of rice, miso soup, “kiriboshi-daikon” (sliced and seasoned Japanese radish) and thin strips of raw cabbage.

Let me try the rice, cooked in a special broad-brimmed pot, together with mentaiko and takana. Umm, delicious!!
I feel like this alone would make a really good meal.

The thick slices of fried pork are nice and soft. Combined with the sweet and salty sauce, I feel like I could eat an endless amount of rice. Good news, second and third servings of rice are free! But after debating… I decided one bowl was enough. I was becoming pretty full.

It seems like “Gyu-motsu”, beef entrails soup, is one of the specialties here. The message on the wall reads: “The gyu-motsu at Yamaya only uses the best beef entrails. The flavor grows with each bite. Enjoy the juicy beef entrails with plenty of fat on them. ”

I will definitely have to try it next time!

You might be tempted by the all-you-can-eat mentaiko and takana, but make sure to leave some room for the main dish. Everything goes so well with the white rice. Enjoy the extremely satisfying lunch!

writer：Yoko