Haze - Fukuoka

The true sage is concerned not with the cure of disease but with its prevention Often times the road least traveled is the road that leads to enlightenment and nutritional freedom. During our time in Fukuoka, Japan my wife Misa and I who was born and raised in the region visited the top vegan, macrobiotic restaurants including Haze Rouge which sits an hour outside of the city in the Mino Mountain Range. Opened from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm (the last order is at 2:30 pm) Wednesday through Sunday for lunch, then from 6 pm to 8 pm for dinner (reservations required), Haze Rouge is run by macrobiotic chef Hirata Atsushi. Originally based in Tokyo, Hirata explained during our brief conversation that he relocated to Kyushu for the fresh vegetation after the nuclear disaster. We decided to travel by public transportation opposed to fetching a ride from Misa’s relatives. The trip took approximately 75 minutes kicking off from the Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line towards Omuta. This express train sees only three stops and in 30 minutes you will get off at the Kurme Station and walk downstairs to the bus terminal. Stand in Kiosk 3 for bus 20 towards Yoshii Eigyosho and ride it roughly 17 minutes and 13 stops until you reach the Dairobaru stop. The surprise was how favorable the portions were in comparison to other macrobiotics restaurants such as Evah with very miniscule servings. Our ensemble consisted of the following and costs ¥5500 which was roughly $55 to $60: • My first dish was a homemade soy yogurt with veggies and fruits (tomato, mushrooms, okra, oranges, peas, pears and flaxseed) and her dish was a green salad with tomatoes and peas topped with a fermented soy dressing. • The second dish was corn and brown rice soup before the three aforementioned main courses were served. • Main Dishes: o Ancient Farro pesto pasta simmered in tomato sauce. o Tofu burger layered with zucchini, tomato and smothered in a bean sauce (no bread). o Spicy chili curry over brown rice that was reminiscent of cumin or turmeric. The waiter later confirmed it was indeed turmeric. • After the tofu, pasta and curry, an ensemble of brown, rice, miso soup and Tsukemono (Japanese preserved veggies) were served. • Lastly, Haze presented a macrobiotic dessert of coconut ice cream over peaches and berries. • Green tea is replenished throughout the dining experience.

We opted to travel to Haze Rouge by public transportation, against the advice of Misa's relatives. The journey took about 75 minutes from Nishitetsu Fukuoka station on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta line towards Omuta. We took an express train with three stops, getting off at Kurme Station and transferring to a bus headed towards Yoshii Eigyosho. After a 17-minute ride with 13 stops, we arrived at the Dairobaru stop. One pleasant surprise was the affordability of the portions at Haze Rouge compared to other macrobiotic restaurants. Our meal, costing ¥5500 (approximately $55 to $60), included: - Homemade soy yogurt with vegetables and fruits for me, and a green salad with fermented soy dressing for Misa. - Corn and brown rice soup as a starter. - Three main courses: Antique Farro Pesto Pasta, Tofu burgers with zucchini in a bean sauce, and Spicy Chili Curry over brown rice. - A side of brown rice, elan soup, and Japanese-preserved vegetables (tsukemono). - A delightful macrobiotic dessert of coconut ice with peaches and berries. - Green tea to accompany the meal. Overall, Haze Rouge provided us with a memorable culinary experience that showcased the delicious and wholesome possibilities of vegan and macrobiotic cuisine.

I would like to thank the previous reviewer Fit_Vater for the detailed instructions! I followed the Japanese signs at the bus station as suggested. Upon arriving at Kurume Station, I took the no. 20 bus labeled 'directed' or Yoshii Eigyōsho in English and got off at the stop Пли Dairobaru. It took about 25 minutes from there to reach the restaurant. The weather was pleasant on the day I visited, and the walk through the fields and Japanese landscape was enjoyable. The restaurant offers gourmet dishes at a very reasonable price. The presentation of the food was beautiful and the flavors well-balanced. I treated myself to the boss's special course and it was worth the extra cost! No matter what you order here, you won't be disappointed. The atmosphere is cozy, the interior is modern, yet the building itself is a beautiful traditional Japanese house. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the food is simply delicious. The meal started with a fresh fruit and vegetable salad with homemade soy yogurt, followed by a carrot genmai soup topped with a fluffy soy mixture. The main course was tofu steak with potato in red wine sauce, accompanied by brown rice and soup. Dessert consisted of Matcha chocolate cake, soy ice cream, and a coconut pudding. The experience is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth it if you have the time. I recommend setting aside several hours for this trip if you are staying in central Fukuoka. It was a refreshing break from my day, although it might be challenging if you have a tight schedule. Even if you don't speak or read Japanese, you can still enjoy the experience. The menu was in Japanese, but the staff and cooks are friendly and accommodating. Overall, a delightful dining experience that I highly recommend.

Many thanks to previous reviewer Fit_Fathers for the detailed directions! I'll add only the Japanese words to look out for, since the signs at the bus station are all in Japanese! Once you get to Kurume Station, take the no. 20 bus (it will say or Yoshii Eigysho in English) and get off at the stop or Dairobaru). From there, it took me about 25 mins to walk to the restaurant. The day I went the weather was fine and it was a beautiful walk through the fields and Japanese countryside. There are a bit of twists and turns, so if you are going alone, make sure your smartphone battery is charged! Food here is pretty much gourmet, at a very reasonable price! Everything is beautifully presented and the flavours are well balanced. I splurged and got the Chef's choice course which was a bit more expensive but worth it!! Whatever you order here you won't regret it... The atmosphere is soothing (interior is modern, but the building itself is a gorgeous traditional Japanese house), the staff are very kind and accommodating, and the food is simply delicious...! The starter was a fresh fruit and veg salad thing with dollops of house-style homemade soy yoghurt, followed by a carrot genmai potage soup (with a fluffy soy thing on top), then a main course of tofu steak with potato in red wine sauce (so good! but everything was so good.. brown rice with miso soup, and finally dessert matcha chocolate cake, soy ice cream and a coconut pudding-like thing (it had a weird French name but I can't remember it It's a bit out of the way, but so worth it if you have the time (I'd recommend setting aside several hours to make this trip if you are staying in central Fukuoka! It took a good chunk out of my day, but I had a really flexible schedule may not work if you are tight on time). Also, if you don't speak or read Japanese, you may struggle a bit getting there and reading the menu... I'm not sure if they have an English menu, but the one they gave me was all in Japanese. The staff and the chef are very kind though, so as long as you find the place I'm sure they will sort you out! Updated from previous review on 2018-05-03

The description really says it all, but I just want to add that dining here was an amazing experience, and such good value at 1650 Yen for a multi-set meal (for lunch). Dining is in separate rooms like Shojin-Ryori, but at Western-style tables. Food is macrobiotic fusion, and among the best I've had in Japan. Staff were friendly and welcoming, and the house, its small garden and the surrounding countryside to get there were all very beautiful. Don't let the bus journey put you off. Take the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line to Nishitestsu Kurume Station, and then then bus 25.The whole journey should take bout an hour and cost 1000 Yen.