My favorite restaurant. Vol.7 Shinya Shoji "Nishijin Fukuzushi"
Everyone has their favorite place. Restaurants, cafeterias, coffee shops, cafes, bars... Because they know the people there, because the food is delicious, because it's comfortable... The genre and the reasons are different for each person. If there's one thing we can say, if you have such a place, it must mean your life is rich. So, we want that person to tell us about their favorite place. In this issue, we interviewed Shinya Shoji, a creative director who is active in various fields, about his beloved Fukuoka restaurant, Nishijin Fukuzushi.
A sushi restaurant you'll want to visit on a night out in Fukuoka.
When I was working at a clothing store, I often went to Fukuoka for work and leisure. Even after I started working in the music industry, Fukuoka was a place I would always visit when I was on tour with the band I was in charge of. Since last year, I've been going to Fukuoka once a month for the restaurant I'm producing, and my connection to the city has become even stronger.
During that time, I was invited by Sohei Oyamada, a musician living in Fukuoka, to visit "Nishijin Fukuzushi" (hereafter referred to as Fukuzushi). Since then, I have become a big fan of this restaurant.
The first thing that surprised me was the balance between taste and price. It's not a so-called "tourist price," but a price setting that gives a sense of security rooted in the local community. Moreover, the quality is outstanding. The interior is unpretentious, and the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed. The chef, who talks to you from across the counter, is also very personable, making it a restaurant you'll want to visit again and again.
Speaking of Fukuoka, seafood comes to mind. Here, I always start with sashimi and then sushi. Simple ways of eating sashimi, such as with lemon and salt, or with yuzu pepper and soy sauce, bring out the flavor of the ingredients. In the cold season, filefish is exceptional. The squid is also fresh in a way that you can't get in Tokyo, and you can really feel the local charm.
Alcohol is also something to look forward to. Start with beer, then move on to shochu and sake. Among them, I would recommend Kumamoto's rice shochu "Hitoyoshi." It has a brandy-like aroma and goes perfectly with sushi. In fact, it was only at Fukuzushi that I encountered this sake. The lady sitting next to me recommended it to me, and even introduced me to the president of the brewery.
They also have something called "sushi wine," which is also great. The fish fat and the acidity of the wine are a perfect match, making the food go down easy. This careful selection also shows the store's deep generosity.
One day, the person sitting next to me was the chef of a popular yakitori restaurant in Nishijin. "Fukuzushi" is a place frequented by many local chefs. Such restaurants are a sure sign of trust and are loved by the locals. It's no wonder that the restaurant continued to be crowded with customers until it closed.
What all my favorite restaurants have in common is their atmosphere, style, and history. I also like places where the restaurant's "aesthetic sense" shines through not only in the food but also in the selection of alcohol. I appreciate the convenience of major chains, but when spending time chatting with friends who share the same tastes, you still need the warmth that only a private restaurant can provide.
Whenever I'm in the area, I make sure to stop by such a store and make sure to spend some money.
Nishijin Fukuzushi
Address: 5-15-28 Nishijin, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka City, New 8 Nishijin 1F
TEL: 092-822-0330
Business hours: 17:30 - 1:00 (last order 0:00)
Closed: Mondays
Profile
Shinya Shoji (Creative Director)
Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1978. After founding the fashion labels mister hollywood/N.Hoolywood in 2000, he founded the music label Youth Records in 2004 and the creative studio 1994 in 2010. In 2020, he left 1994/Youth Records. Around the same time, he founded a new studio with creators, Fu-10, and the music label shu-ha-ri, and is currently active as a creative director, music producer, and art director. In 2022, he launched the eyewear label Issun Ippai.
Instagram: @manatsumirai
