Fukuchan Kaitenyaki in Usuki｜A Reservation-Only Sweet with Overflowing Red Bean Filling

Overflowing red bean filling inside a Fukuchan kaitenyaki pancake in Usuki, Japan Food & Cafes

A Hidden Local Favorite in Usuki: What Is “Fukuchan Kaitenyaki”?

I wanted to do something nice for my husband, who absolutely loves sweet red bean paste. After seeing Fukuchan Kaitenyaki on Instagram, we decided to visit this small local shop in Yoshiono, Usuki City.

To be honest, it was completely different from the kaitenyaki I had imagined. The amount of filling is so generous that the shape can collapse under its own weight. This is the kind of experience you can only understand by actually visiting, so I’m sharing a detailed review from a local mom’s point of view.

When and Where We Visited

We arrived on a Sunday around 11:00 a.m.. The shop is located inside the premises of the local farmers’ market called “Naka-Usuki.”

We were hoping to shop at the farmers’ market as well, but it happened to be closed that day. However, Fukuchan Kaitenyaki itself was open.

Menu and Prices｜Simple but Very Satisfying

There are only four flavors available:

  • Ogura red bean paste
  • White bean paste
  • Custard
  • Chocolate

Each kaitenyaki costs 200 yen. Because the menu is simple, it feels like any choice will be a good one.

First Impression: It Looks Like a Hamburger

The moment I picked one up, my first reaction was: “This is huge.”

Instead of a neat, round shape, the filling was clearly overflowing, making it look more like a hamburger than traditional kaitenyaki. At that point, I knew this was not an ordinary sweet.

Too Much Filling to Share Easily

I planned to split a custard one with my youngest child, who was waiting in the car. But as soon as I tried to cut it in half, the filling spilled out.

In the end, we used a little trick: we separated the top and bottom layers of the dough to share it. I had never needed to do that with kaitenyaki before.

When I tried to take photos of the ogura red bean one, the shape actually collapsed because of the weight of the filling. The volume alone was impressive.

Important: Make a Reservation or You May Not Get Any

Although many kaitenyaki were being cooked in the shop, almost all of them were already reserved.

That day, we were lucky and could choose from:

  • Custard: 1 piece
  • Ogura red bean: 3 pieces
  • White bean paste: 3 pieces

Since I don’t like white bean paste, we bought one custard and three ogura red bean kaitenyaki. This situation is quite rare.

The staff told us that reservations are recommended even for just one piece. Many people visiting a nearby golf course often stop by to buy some to take home, so especially before lunchtime on weekends, it can be very difficult to buy without a reservation.

If you want to be sure you can get one, calling ahead is the safest option.

Tips for Visiting with Children

What Works Well

  • Affordable price (200 yen each)
  • Not overly sweet, easy to share with children
  • Perfect as a car snack

Things to Be Careful About

  • You may not be able to buy any without a reservation
  • No eat-in space is assumed
  • The filling is very generous, making it hard for small children to eat alone
  • It is difficult to split one cleanly (separating the dough works best)

Bringing wet wipes is highly recommended.

Basic Information (Please Check in Advance)

  • Shop name: Fukuchan Kaitenyaki
  • Address: Yoshiono, Usuki City, Oita (inside the Naka-Usuki area)
  • Opening hours: From 9:30 a.m. until sold out
  • Closed days: Irregular holidays
  • Parking: Available (use Naka-Usuki parking)
  • Phone number: Not listed to avoid unintended calls

Nearby Spots to Visit Afterward

After picking up your kaitenyaki, there are a couple of family-friendly places nearby that are easy to visit by car.

Usuki City General Park

A large park with playground equipment where children can run and play. It’s a great place to stop by and enjoy your kaitenyaki as a snack after some outdoor fun.

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Usuki Port Park

A seaside park with an open, relaxed atmosphere. There are benches where you can sit down and enjoy your kaitenyaki at a slower pace.

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Final Thoughts

Fukuchan Kaitenyaki stands out for one simple reason: the overwhelming amount of filling and the level of satisfaction.

If you happen to find some available, you’re lucky. If you want to avoid disappointment, making a reservation is the best choice.

As for my husband’s reaction: “The portion size was amazing, but more than that, the red bean paste itself was really delicious.”