The rowdy little brother to fancy-pants eatery Ebisu, Fukoku has staked its claim on Britomart’s Tyler Street as a suave and wildly popular Japanese bar that’s here to stay. A shochu and snack bar by nature, we headed along on a Friday night, having decided a place renowned for exotic cocktails and delicious bites was the perfect companion for the end of the week. We were right.
We sampled the Nori Chips ($4.5), which are dangerously moreish with just enough spice to get the party going, while the Japanese Salt & Pepper Squid ($10) paired with wasabi tartare is so melt-in-your-mouth that the concept of deep-fried fish is kind of exciting for once.
Sweetening the deal even further, Fukuko now offers a selection of petite tacos that are perfect for the snacking type – our favourite was the miso-soaked braised beef taco ($7) - divinely tender and incredibly saucy (messy-eaters beware).
Aside from the wonderful bar snacks and cool industrial setting, Fukuko’s bartenders are worthy of a mention due to their delightful skills with a few simple ingredients and a cocktail shaker. If you’re after a sophisticated start to one of those nights, I highly recommend their shochu cocktails. More specifically, the aptly named Woo Hoo ($14) is a blast, blending pineapple shochu with tequila, fresh lime, bitters and a beer topper. But if you’re feeling more special than the standard cocktail list, ask the talented bar folk to surprise you with a creation all your own – I guarantee you won’t just walk away with an overpriced Rose Bud.