In Fukutsu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, a steakhouse has quietly been part of local life for over thirty years. Haipo is more than just a restaurant; it’s a place full of memories. For decades, it has welcomed families, serving not only steak but also a feeling of togetherness.
For my parents and older brother, Haipo was the go-to spot for celebrations — birthdays, little wins, or just wanting to be together. I, on the other hand, was a fish lover. Steak didn’t excite me as it did them. As a teenager, I tagged along without much interest, not realising I was part of something much deeper than a meal.
Time went by. My brother moved away. My father has passed on.
Now, whenever I return to Fukuoka, the same question gently arises between my mother and me:
“When shall we go to Haipo?”
It’s just a ten-minute drive from her house. Close enough to go anytime, yet somehow we feel there should be a reason. We visit like before: to celebrate a moment, remember the past, and quietly be with what’s left.
My permanent choice is the hamburger lunch set (ハンバーグランチ).
It comes on a sizzling-hot plate: a simple hamburger steak, mostly surrounded by bean sprouts and veggies, making a comforting crackle as it hits the table. Along with it, there’s a fresh salad with Haipo’s special onion dressing, pickles, and a bowl of rice. The lunch set costs about 1,300 yen.
At dinner, the same dish gets a little upgrade. For about 2,200 yen, it comes with a glass of wine or juice, prosciutto with sliced onions, and a bowl of soup. The dinner feels a bit more special — maybe because evenings have their own pace.
The presentation isn’t fancy, but the flavours are steady and genuine. The onion dressing strikes a perfect balance of sweet and sharp. The iron plate keeps the hamburger warm well past the first bite. Every visit feels reliable, like catching up with an old friend. Rises from the plate, I feel like I still glimpse my late-father’s satisfied expression across the table. I hear my mother’s soft “Oishii ne,” which I now painfully know is so precious. The meal has become less about appetite and more about remembrance.
Fukutsu is unusual among many regional municipalities in Japan. While numerous towns face declining populations, this one has experienced notable growth and development in recent years. With expansion has come variety — new shopping areas, new housing, and new dining options.
Among the newer arrivals are well-known chains such as Bikkuri Donkey* and Pepper Lunch*.
These places bring fresh energy and new flavours. They’re efficient, easy to get to, and popular. They give the growing town a quick burst of excitement.
Yet for me, none surpasses the quiet confidence of Haipo.
Because Haipo does not compete on spectacle. It rests on familiarity. The hospitality is natural, unforced. The space feels lived-in rather than curated. Over time, it has become something closer to “home” than to a dining venue.
If you’re passing through Fukutsu on a coastal drive or sightseeing nearby, be sure to stop by Haipo.
Some restaurants impress.
Some entertain.
A rare few endure.
Haipo endures, not just in flavour but in memory.
Notes:
Bikkuri Donkey: A nationwide Japanese restaurant chain famous for its hamburger steaks and family-friendly atmosphere.
Pepper Lunch: A popular Japanese fast-casual steak chain known for serving beef and rice dishes on sizzling hot plates that customers finish cooking themselves.
