From a Taipei Favorite to Fukuoka! Kugimoto Shokudo’s Pork Trotters Are Perfect with Rice

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In Fukuoka, pork trotters usually bring to mind the fragrant grilled version served at izakaya pubs and yakitori restaurants.

This time, I visited Gokujo Tonsoku Kugimoto Shokudo in Tenyamachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka. The specialty here is Taiwanese-style braised pork trotters, cooked until they are tender enough to pull apart with chopsticks. I ordered Pork Trotter Set B, which also comes with a braised egg and atsuage fried tofu.

Kugimoto Shokudo Specializes in Taiwanese-Style Braised Pork Trotters

Kugimoto Shokudo is in Tenyamachi, an area of Hakata also known for its offices. It is about a three-minute walk from Gofukumachi Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Hakozaki Line and about five minutes from Nakasu-Kawabata Station.

Look for the large “Gokujo Tonsoku Kugimoto Shokudo” sign and red lantern. The glass-fronted entrance lets you see inside, making the restaurant feel welcoming even if this is your first visit to a pork-trotter specialty shop. Inside are counter seats and tables for four, suitable for a solo lunch or a meal with family and friends.

Pork Trotters Inspired by Taipei Favorite Fu Ba Wang

Kugimoto Shokudo says its pork-trotter recipe was taught by Mr. Hsieh, the owner of Taipei pork-trotter restaurant Fu Ba Wang.

According to the official website, Mr. Hsieh is a craftsman who has devoted more than 30 years to pork-trotter dishes and continued refining his recipe. Kugimoto Shokudo owner Mr. Kugimoto was inspired by the “spirit”—the dedication and passion—that Mr. Hsieh values, and he continues to pursue that approach in Fukuoka.

The restaurant uses fresh, meaty pork trotters from Japan. Its website explains that they are first parboiled over high heat to remove any strong smell, then simmered for nearly three hours in a secret sauce made with Japanese pork-bone broth and the restaurant’s own seasonings. You can read more about the owner’s approach on the About Kugimoto Shokudo page on the official website.

Kugimoto Shokudo Menu: What Is the Difference Between Sets A and B?

As confirmed in September 2026, Pork Trotter Set A costs ¥1,250, Pork Trotter Set B costs ¥1,500, and the Young Chicken Karaage Set costs ¥1,300. A large serving of rice is available at no extra charge with a set meal.

• Pork Trotter Set A: Pork trotter, boiled vegetables, rice, miso soup, and pickles
• Pork Trotter Set B: Everything in Set A, plus a braised egg and atsuage fried tofu
• Young Chicken Karaage Set: Freshly fried Japanese-style chicken prepared after you order

The difference between Sets A and B is whether a braised egg and atsuage fried tofu are included. Both come with one serving of pork trotter, so choose according to the side dishes rather than the amount of meat. I chose Set B because the egg and tofu looked like a great way to enjoy every bit of the braising sauce.

Trying Pork Trotter Set B: A Glossy, Appetizing Main Dish

Pork Trotter Set B arrives with Taiwanese-style braised pork trotter, boiled vegetables, a braised egg, atsuage fried tofu, rice, miso soup, and pickles. Coated in a glossy brown sauce, the pork trotter is generously sized. At first glance, you can already tell it will pair wonderfully with rice.

Silky, Tender Pork Trotters That Pull Apart with Chopsticks

The pork trotter is scored before cooking, so the meat comes apart easily when you insert your chopsticks. Each part offers a slightly different texture, from the silky skin and tender meat to the gelatin-rich pieces around the bone.

The deep soy-sauce color looks rich, but the flavor is lighter than you might expect. The sweet braising sauce blends with the savory pork, with none of the strong smell sometimes associated with pork trotters. It was approachable even for a first-timer, and the light garlic aroma made me want another bite of rice.

Set B Also Includes a Braised Egg, Atsuage Tofu, and Vegetables

The egg and atsuage fried tofu are slowly braised in the same flavorful sauce as the pork trotter. The tofu was especially satisfying: when I bit into it, the taste of the sauce spread from the soft center—one of the pleasures unique to Set B.

The cabbage, bean sprouts, and komatsuna greens are briefly boiled in house-made chicken broth, then topped with some of the pork-trotter sauce. They retain a pleasant crunch and provide a refreshing break between bites of the rich pork.

Dashi-Rich Miso Soup and House-Made Pickles Complete the Meal

The hearty miso soup is made with carefully prepared dashi from kombu kelp, bonito flakes, and dried baby sardines. The pickles reportedly include house-made nukazuke fermented in a blend containing a 100-year-old rice-bran bed. The attention to detail extends to every part of the set meal, not just the pork trotter.

The Official Recommended Way to Eat It: Finish with Sauce over Rice

1. First, pull apart the piping-hot pork trotter with chopsticks and enjoy it as served.
2. Try the gelatin-rich pieces and marrow around the bone.
3. Add yuzu kosho, mustard, or ichimi chili pepper along the way to change the flavor.
4. Finish by pouring the remaining braising sauce over your rice.

Yuzu kosho, mustard, and ichimi chili pepper are available at the table, so you can add a little at a time and enjoy different flavors. One method you should definitely try is pouring the remaining braising sauce over your rice. This lets you enjoy every last drop of sauce infused with savory pork flavor. For more details, see the restaurant’s recommended way to eat pork trotters on the official website.

Kugimoto Shokudo Information and Access

Name	Gokujo Tonsoku Kugimoto Shokudo
Address	Riverside Hakata 1F, 6-29 Tenyamachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka 812-0025
Access	3-minute walk from Gofukumachi Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Hakozaki Line 5-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Airport and Hakozaki lines
Hours	11:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (last order 6:45 p.m.) Closes when the pork trotters sell out
Phone	092-291-2022
Closed	Sundays and national holidays
Seating	Counter seats and tables for four
Payment	Cash only

Opening hours, closing days, prices, and other details may change. Before visiting, check the latest information on Kugimoto Shokudo’s official access and restaurant information page.

Summary: Visit Kugimoto Shokudo for Braised Pork Trotters in Fukuoka

Kugimoto Shokudo’s pork trotters are a Taiwanese-style braised dish, different from the grilled pork trotters commonly seen in Fukuoka. They are tender enough to pull apart with chopsticks, with a silky texture and a sweet sauce full of savory pork flavor.

If you also want to try the braised egg and atsuage fried tofu, I recommend the Pork Trotter Set B that I ordered. If you are looking for a different kind of Hakata lunch near Gofukumachi, Nakasu-Kawabata, or Gion, consider visiting Kugimoto Shokudo in Tenyamachi.