Photograph:royaljapan
Sasebo has grown as a port town, and along with its seafood, it has developed its own food culture. There are many izakaya (Japanese pubs), mainly around the station, with a wide range of options from places where you can enjoy local ingredients to casual spots you can drop into with ease. This time, we have put together a list of recommended izakaya in Sasebo.
Created: July 21, 2026
This article is based on237Tabelog reviews.
Table of Contents
Photograph:YAMADA DENKI
Koyoi Irodoru Gokujo Kukan Yutaka is a well regarded restaurant where you can enjoy high quality washoku (Japanese cuisine) in a chic and luxurious setting. JAZZ is said to play inside the restaurant.
It is fully equipped with fully private rooms, counter seats, and Sunken kotatsu seating. Many reviews mention the attentive service, and it is also recommended for important days.
Photograph:のぞ助
You can enjoy Japanese-Western fusion dishes made with meat and fish.
The seasonal course meals are popular, and the assortment of Appetizers served at the start gets great reviews. They may include butter grilled clams, sake-steamed clams, and dressed dishes, with each item said to let you taste the flavor of dashi (Japanese soup stock).
Photograph:美食家1608
They offer a wide selection of drinks, including Japanese sake, wine, and fruit liqueurs.
For the Japanese sake, which you can enjoy by choosing your own sake cup, they also carry limited labels such as Denshu. Reviews say the flavor and aroma of the sake pair very well with the food too.
c5h10m9
We had a Private room with table seating. It was stylish, the staff were very pleasant, and we had a great time relaxing. Since everyone wanted to drink, we chose A la carte this time. The five otoshi (small appetizer) dishes were already luxurious and delicious. The recommended ishidai (striped beakfish) and oysters were fresh too. Next time, I’ll take my time and go back for a full course or lunch.
Source:c5h10m9's review
hand1774
I did not make any specific seating request, but they showed me to a Private room space set up behind the wall! Every dish was high quality, and the cheese saikyo-yaki (Kyoto-style miso grill) in particular is one item I would really like everyone to try.
Source:hand1774's review
37
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Photograph:tabelog.com
Monjaba is a Teppan-yaki restaurant about a 2-minute walk from Sasebo-Chuo Station on the Matsuura Railway. It also offers many à la carte dishes, so it is a good pick for izakaya-style dining.
The spacious interior mainly has table seating. You can have a fun time gathered around the teppan hotplate installed at (Each) table.
Photograph:③オバタ
You can enjoy okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake), monjayaki (Tokyo-style pan-fried batter), steaks, and more.
The "Jukusei Beef Tongue Saki" and "thick-cut Spencer roll steak" are said to be leaner cuts, with more flavor the more you chew. Another nice point is that you can finish grilling them just the way you like.
Photograph:EMITAN
The popular choice is the "Monjaba Course," which comes with 2 hours of All you can drink.
It is said to be a very satisfying lineup, featuring Spencer roll steak along with seafood dishes and more. Reviews also say the okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) made with meringue had a great texture and was light enough to eat with ease.
ひでと490321
Monjayaki (savory Japanese pan-fried batter) and meat are served piping hot right in front of you, and the staff cook them for you, so the meal went really well with drinks. It is one of the places I would like to visit again.
Source:ひでと490321's review
きゃんたみ
I visited with a group. Every dish was good. They flambé the meat right in front of you. Some cuts sometimes sell out, so keep that in mind. First come, first served. The Teppan-yaki grill is large and there is not much table space, so if you order too much, it can get a bit inconvenient. My overall rating is ◎
Source:きゃんたみ's review
29
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Photograph:tabelog.com
Kushi Kaido is a yakitori izakaya known for its homey atmosphere and comfortable feel. It has table seating and Semi-private rooms, so it works well for many different occasions.
The menu also includes rice dishes and pizza, and some reviews said they could enjoy a relaxed meal even with children.
Photograph:まめ太郎1号
Yakitori grilled over binchotan (high-grade white charcoal) and freshly fried kushiage (deep-fried skewers) are popular here.
The yakitori menu includes items such as seseri (chicken neck), bonjiri (chicken tail), and tegone tsukune (hand-shaped chicken meatballs). If you ask the owner, they will tell you the day's recommendations.
Photograph:iwakatu
The kushiage lineup includes meat, fish, and creative skewers. The "Oebi (large shrimp)," which goes well both as a snack with drinks and with rice, is popular with a wide range of age groups.
They also offer a wide selection of alcoholic drinks, including Japanese sake sourced from Tohoku, shochu, cocktails, and highballs.
mimikaki0212
We visited with children, and the staff were so kind that we felt relaxed the whole time. The first thing served was thin satsumaimo (sweet potato) sticks, which had a simple sweetness that the kids happily kept munching on. Since they were not fried, they were light and easy to eat. Next came the liver skewer, nicely grilled so the outside was crisp while the inside stayed moist.
Source:mimikaki0212's review
自由食人
From the moment I walked in, the staff gave very good service. Even the otoshi (small appetizer) had an extra touch and tasted great. Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) varies depending on the ingredients and how it is grilled, so the manager's recommendations are worth ordering. The liver lets you enjoy 3 different flavors, so I fully enjoyed the tare sauce and the sesame oil with salt.
Source:自由食人's review
10
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Photograph:tabelog.com
Torikawa Hakata Kawakko Sasebo Ten, about a 5-minute walk from Sasebo-Chuo Station, is an izakaya serving torikawa (grilled chicken skin skewers), a soul food from Fukuoka, as its specialty.
From the popular counter seats, you can watch the grill area, which is said to really work up your appetite. There were also reviews saying the friendly service was a nice touch.
Photograph:kondee824
Torikawa (chicken skin skewers), a soul food of Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture, is a standard menu item. It uses chicken skin with little fat. Each skewer is pre-grilled many times to concentrate its good flavor.
The tare-kawa (sauce-glazed chicken skin skewers) is said to be chewy inside and crispy outside, with a taste that makes you want to eat several of them.
Photograph:wheeeon
The grilled rice balls are also well reviewed. The soy sauce smells nice and toasty, and the rice balls have the aroma of charcoal grilling, making them perfect To finish a drink.
They also offer a 120-minute All you can drink plan that you can order On-the-Day. You can take your time and enjoy draft beer, wine by the glass, and more.
a.e.m946
The chicken skin skewer was freshly grilled, nice and fragrant, with lots of flavor. The tomato skewer was a cherry tomato wrapped in bacon, with just the right amount of salt, so it was easy to eat. The staff responded right away and were polite, which made the experience pleasant. The bill was easy to understand, and I think the different payment options make it convenient to use.
Source:a.e.m946's review
canna__
Coming to Sasebo, I wanted to try a Fukuoka specialty, but on this Kyushu trip I intentionally didn’t stop by Fukuoka, so I was glad I could have a Fukuoka specialty here. There were reviews saying you could eat as many as you want, and I wasn’t sure how many to order, but I ended up finishing them easily. I was with a child, and the staff were very kind to us, which I really appreciated. I want to eat here again!
Source:canna__'s review
31
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Photograph:シンさん43957
Ooishi is a hideaway izakaya (Japanese pub) with a calm and charming atmosphere. At the entrance outside, a tasteful lantern with the restaurant's name on it is on display.
Inside, the restaurant has counter seats and Sunken kotatsu seating. There are also Private rooms, where guests can relax and enjoy conversation at a leisurely pace.
Photograph:健康花丸
You can enjoy fresh fish selected by the owner at the market, along with local Nagasaki menu items.
Among the fried dishes, the "satoimo (taro) Kara-age" is especially popular. It is served piping hot, and its soft, fluffy texture is said to be delicious.
Photograph:ふーたろー0509
The sashimi assortment is also well known for its beautiful presentation. Each slice is generously cut, with an excellent rich and silky texture.
You can also enjoy drinks such as Nagasaki Prefecture local sake Rokujuyoshu and a wide selection of whiskies.
spring-day02301891
We enjoyed everything, including tachiuo (cutlassfish), iwagaki (rock oysters), and yurinchi (fried chicken with sauce). The All you can drink option was a big help. Thank you very much.
Source:spring-day02301891's review
kuma太郎
All you can drink came with the common rule that you need to order at least 2 dishes, so we ordered carpaccio, seseri (chicken neck) stir-fried with black pepper, satoimo (taro) fries, kaki fry (fried oysters), and beer for a toast! The food was all simple but very tasty. This place might be good for a quick drink.
Source:kuma太郎's review
カナリーex
To add the 1-hour all-you-can-drink option, each person had to order two dishes, so we ordered a variety of items. The especially tasty one was the stir-fried seseri (neck meat), which really went well with the drinks. If you are ever wondering where to go for drinks at night in Sasebo, why not give this place a try?
Source:カナリーex's review
20
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Photograph:リプスン
Hamayaki Kaisen Izakaya Daisho Suisan Sasebo Ten is a casual izakaya with a lively atmosphere, complete with big fishing flags and a fish tank inside. It has a welcoming feel that makes it easy to drop in even on your own, and it is said to get busy with customers from early in the day.
The blackboard outside lists the day's recommended menu items.
Photograph:ryo_yuma
You can enjoy fresh seafood as sashimi, sushi, or hamayaki (seaside-style grill) cooked on a tabletop stove.
The "Fresh Sashimi Assortment" comes as an 8〜12-item assortment, so you can choose based on the number of people. The Sea Bream is said to be plump and sweet, while the tuna is tender and rich in flavor.
Photograph:Eriiiiiika
The visually stunning "Bukkake Sushi Kobore assortment" is also popular. The toppings change depending on the day, so it is fun no matter when you visit.
In addition to sushi, the food menu includes fried rice and ramen, and there are also many non-alcoholic drinks, so it is recommended for families.
長崎⭐️佐世保の民
Tonight we headed to the seafood izakaya Daisho Suisan. Fresh fish and drinks made for a lively time drinking at the counter♪The main items tonight were aburi katsuo (seared bonito), hiramasa (yellowtail amberjack), and an all-tuna spread. Everything was very good.
Source:長崎⭐️佐世保の民's review
アランとエドガー
This is an After-Party daytime drinking stop. We had meat at the first place, so here we went with crab and sashimi (raw sliced fish). The horse mackerel and sardine were both rich and tasty!
Source:アランとエドガー's review
39
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Photograph:ハリーホーク
Nihonkai Shoya Sasebo Ekimae Ten is a seafood izakaya (Japanese pub) in an excellent location, just a 1-minute walk from Sasebo Station.
Inside, there are zashiki (tatami floor seating), table seats, and counter seats, creating a comfortable space. Reviews also say the food and service are good, making it a handy spot for casual drinks.
Photograph:長崎⭐️佐世保の民
You can enjoy high quality seafood from the Sea of Japan, including sashimi (raw fish), sushi, and robatayaki (fireside grilling).
They offer a range of sizes, including the just right "sengyo assortment (fresh fish assortment)" for one person and the "dorabachi assortment" with about 8 kinds. Another nice part is that the selection changes depending on what they get in, so you can try different toppings each time.
Photograph:アランとエドガー
You can enjoy hamayaki (seaside-style grilling) at your table and grill it just the way you like. One of the most popular menu items is the “Kanimiso Kora Shichirin-yaki (charcoal-grilled crab miso in the shell).”
The fresh kanimiso (crab innards) pairs perfectly with the house special dashi, creating a rich flavor. Once it starts bubbling, the restaurant’s style is to stir it with a spoon before eating.
へちょはち
I had umezu (pickled plum vinegar) sour with kujira tatsuta-age (deep-fried whale), Spear Squid whole sashimi, and seasonal hoya (sea pineapple) sashimi. The kujira tatsuta-age was so, so tender! This was really good. The hoya sashimi was also tasty with ponzu sauce and had no off notes! The Spear Squid was just okay, but I had the geso (squid legs) and sankaku (triangle cut) grilled to snack on. To finish, I had a thin tekka roll. It was good.
Source:へちょはち's review
vj_accun
For dinner, we went to Nihonkai Shoya Sasebo Ekimae Ten, where we enjoyed all kinds of tasty dishes like a sashimi assortment, salt-flavored yakisoba (fried noodles), crab cream croquettes, fugu (pufferfish) Kara-age, and takana (pickled mustard greens) fried rice, and had a great time chatting about all sorts of things! It was also nice that they have Private rooms!
Source:vj_accun's review
30
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Photograph:さちひで
Sakanaya Dojo Sasebo Ekimae Ten is a seafood izakaya located about a 1-minute walk from Sasebo Station.
The table seating and Sunken kotatsu seating are comfortable, and you can enjoy your meal in a bright atmosphere. Reviews also say it is easy to visit even on your own.
Photograph:iwakatu
You can enjoy Japanese cuisine made with seafood. The assorted sashimi platter with honmaguro (bluefin tuna) is said to be especially popular.
The honmaguro is rich and fatty, and the other sashimi is also said to be served in very fresh condition. The three flavor options for changing up the taste—aosa (green laver), soy sauce, and sesame sauce—are also well liked.
Photograph:スリープラス
There are also many course meals that come with unique perks, such as banners and yosegaki shochu bottles (shochu bottles covered with handwritten messages).
The food is packed with seafood, including hamaguri (hard clam) and asari (Manila clam) with spring vegetables steamed on a ceramic plate, as well as boiled hon-zuwai-gani (snow crab). There are also many Kyushu dishes and local specialties on the menu, making it a lineup that gets the conversation flowing.
jun_white8730
We visited Sakana-ya Dojo near Sasebo Station. I had been here before, and since it is close to the station, it is easy to stop by. We had ashitaba (Japanese angelica tree leaves) tempura, squid sashimi, and today’s recommended bonito sashimi. Looking at the blackboard later, it seemed there were other recommended fish as well. The otoshi (small appetizer) was niku dofu (meat and tofu simmered dish), and it made a pretty good snack with drinks.
Source:jun_white8730's review
DEFY
This seems to be today’s recommended menu for each restaurant. It is unclear how much local character each restaurant brings out through a different menu, but I was glad to see Nagasaki meibutsu (local specialties) and other tasty foods from Kyushu on offer.
Source:DEFY's review
29
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Photograph:tabelog.com
Kushikatsu Tanaka Sasebo Ten is a popular izakaya chain with locations across Japan, where you can enjoy kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), traditional Osaka flavors, and a lively atmosphere.
The casual interior has table seating and Sunken kotatsu seating, and the place has a fun, lively feel with mini games and more, so even families with children can relax and enjoy their time.
Photograph:iwakatu
The kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) are served fresh from the fryer. A popular menu item is the “Kushikatsu Buta.” It has a light, crispy coating and a juicy, satisfying bite.
They recommend starting with an assortment, then reordering your favorite skewers A la carte.
Photograph:iwakatu
For à la carte dishes, the popular choice is the "potato salad." You can mash the ingredients to your preferred size as you eat, which is part of the appeal since you can enjoy it with either a chunky texture or a smooth texture.
They also offer unusual drinks such as hiyashi-ame sour (chilled ginger syrup sour) and gari-chu (shochu with pickled ginger), both loved in Osaka.
Nana95989
I made a reservation and visited since it runs from opening time to 18:00 on weekdays. It was lively even on a weekday. I tried almost every item and was completely Manzoku. If you want to eat a lot, the All you can eat option is a better deal. I would like to visit again.
Source:Nana95989's review
こたっぴ
・Mugen Ninniku (bottomless garlic) Horumon skewer
The garlic has a nice firm texture, while you still get the flavor of the Horumon. The slightly sweet sauce really gets your appetite going, and the light bite feels just right. If you're having a casual drink, it might be the best match with a highball.
Source:こたっぴ's review
12