Shapo Funabashi has a gem for mentaiko lovers: Hakata Tempura Yamaya Shapo Funabashi (博多天ぷら やまや シャポー船橋店). While Yamaya has been expanding with more branches lately, I personally find this location the most convenient. It’s located on the 3rd floor of Shapo, the same floor as Shoutaian Diner (将泰庵ダイナー).
As the name suggests, this restaurant is operated by Yamaya, a leading brand in Hakata-style mentaiko. Just that fact alone makes it feel like a sacred place for fans of mentaiko. The restaurant was originally named Yamami (やまみ), which came from the words “yama” (mountain) and “umi” (sea). It’s a lovely name, but I feel like they gained more customers after changing it to the more recognizable Yamaya.
The menu is the same for both lunch and dinner, with additional options like à la carte tempura items.
Drinks
Since the restaurant serves freshly fried tempura, seating is counter-only. On the table, you’ll find two small jars. Drumroll… inside are mentaiko and takana pickles! And yes, they’re all-you-can-eat! Honestly, I could skip the tempura altogether and just eat these with rice and miso soup.
The mentaiko is so delicious—it’s pure happiness. Whenever I come here, getting a rice refill is inevitable. And even in this day and age, refills are free and unlimited. Well… I usually just go for one extra serving.
A highball goes perfectly with the salty kick of the mentaiko and takana, too.
The top recommendation here is definitely the Yamami Set Meal (やまみ定食, ¥1,700). It includes a variety of tempura—shrimp, white fish (kisu), pork, soft-boiled egg, chicken thigh, and two kinds of vegetables—making for a nicely balanced mix of sea and mountain delights.
First, the rice, miso soup, and tempura dipping sauce are served. While munching on the mentaiko and takana with a big grin, the first wave of tempura arrives—sweet potato and eggplant, both perfectly crisp.
Next up is the chicken thigh. This was incredibly juicy and bursting with flavor—definitely my favorite item in the set.
Then comes the pork and kisu, which were tender and flaky.
Lastly, shrimp and the soft-boiled egg are served. The shrimp was decent in size, and the egg… oh, that egg! It had the perfect runny yolk.
The combination of the gooey egg, mentaiko, takana, and rice creates a flavor harmony that’s simply irresistible.
It’s a bit fast-paced in the restaurant, but having freshly fried tempura served right in front of you makes it all worth it.
About
Name Hakata Tempura Yamaya Funabashi Shapo branch (博多天ぷら やまや シャポー船橋店)
Open Day through night
Reservation Unavailable
Credit card Available
URL Website
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