Kappo Gyowan 割烹 魚椀 ぎょわん (Yanagawa, JAPAN) ★★★☆☆

Many restaurants in Yanagawa were closed tonight (perhaps for Christmas?) and we found ourselves driving around in search of any place still open. Some of us were just thrilled that finally, the search was over — Kappo Gyowan 割烹 魚椀 (ぎょわん).

Kappo Gyowan felt like one of those cozy, family-run restaurants tucked away in a small Japanese town. As soon as we stepped inside, we were warmly welcomed and led to a small private room — a lovely touch that made the experience feel even more special.

Fresh sashimi set — The first to arrive was this sashimi set.

A small salad with a zesty yuzu dressing got things started.

The highlight was definitely were the squid and sea bream — incredibly fresh, tender, and bursting with natural flavor. Truly mouthwatering.

Tempura set — Mom and our little nugget went for the tempura set. While I don’t usually order tempura unless we’re at a dedicated tempura restaurant, this one looked satisfyingly crispy and light.

Chicken teriyaki — So, I ordered this for myself. The charcoal-grilled chicken fillets were full of smoky aroma, and paired perfectly with the fluffy steamed rice. Comfort food at its best.

As planned, we wrapped up dinner early and were almost ready to head back to the hotel for some well-earned rest. Almost. Jelloman, however, had other ideas. She insisted we make a stop at Youme Town, just a few blocks away. So off we went for a little post-dinner stroll and shopping adventure.

Food Rating: 6/10

Price: ￥￥￥

Address: 201-1 Mitsuhashimachi Emagari, Yanagawa, Fukuoka 832-0825, Japan

Tel: +81 (0)944-88-8620

Opening Hours: 11:00am - 2:00pm, 6:00pm - 9:00pm (Thu - Tue)