Aizuwakamatsu is a city with a rich food culture, famous for its local cuisine such as sauce katsudon, horse sashimi and wabakohan. In this article, we introduce a wide range of places to eat, from popular lunch spots to B-grade gourmet restaurants and famous restaurants for enjoying in the evening! We have carefully selected restaurants that are loved by the locals and have grouped them by genre. If you want to enjoy a delicious meal in Aizuwakamatsu, please refer to this article!
Enjoying Aizuwakamatsu’s Local Cuisine
Aizuwakamatsu is a region blessed with rich nature and history, and there are many famous local gourmet dishes that make the most of local ingredients. In particular, the traditional cuisine and food culture loved by the local people are strongly preserved, and they attract visitors. Here, we will introduce a selection of recommended restaurants where you can enjoy the famous gourmet dishes of Aizuwakamatsu. Please enjoy the local flavors and feel the charm of Aizu.
Tsuru Ga Aizu Honten|Enjoy the Aizu specialty, Sakura-nabe
<Source:Aizu Wakamatsu Tourism Navi>
If you visit Aizu Wakamatsu, you should definitely try “cherry blossom hot pot”. Tsuru Ga Aizu Honten is known as a famous restaurant where you can enjoy this dish. Cherry blossom hot pot is a local dish that has been popular in the Aizu region for a long time, and is a hot pot dish that uses fresh horse meat in particular. At Tsuru Ga Aizu Honten, they use carefully selected horse meat and stew it in a soup that has been concentrated with flavor, bringing out the best in the ingredients.
The restaurant has a calm atmosphere, and the space is filled with a Japanese feel. Sakuranabe is healthy and nutritious, with plenty of fresh vegetables and tofu as well as horse meat. In particular, the tenderness and sweetness of the horse meat blends into the soup to create a delicious flavor. Another attraction is that you can order a single serving of Sakuranabe, so you can drop in and enjoy it at your leisure.
In addition, at the Tsuru Ga Aizu Honten, there is a wide variety of dishes made with local ingredients, so you can enjoy the flavors of Aizu to your heart’s content. If you visit Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to try the sakuranabe at this famous restaurant. The flavors loved by the locals are sure to become an unforgettable memory.
Gyunyuuya Shokudo|The sauce katsudon and ramen loved by the locals
<Source:Gyunyu-ya Shokudo official website>
If you want to enjoy one of Aizu Wakamatsu’s famous local dishes, the sauce katsudon, you can’t miss the Gyunyuuya Shokudo. This restaurant, which has been loved by the locals for many years, serves a katsudon with a generous portion of pork cutlet, and the special sauce is what makes the juicy pork cutlet so delicious. The crispy batter and tender meat are a perfect match, and you’ll be hooked on the deliciousness of it after just one bite.
In addition, ramen is also one of the popular menu items at Gyunyu-ya Shokudo. The simple yet deep flavor of the soup, with its firm homemade noodles, is a delight to enjoy. In particular, the set menu of pork cutlet rice bowl and ramen is perfect for those who want a filling meal. This restaurant, which serves dishes that make the most of local ingredients, is loved not only by tourists but also by the locals.
If you visit Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to try the local flavors at Gyunyuuya Shokudo. You can enjoy the superb sauce katsudon and ramen in a heart-warming atmosphere.
Murai|A popular restaurant famous for Aizu specialties
<Source:Fuku-Labo!>
If you want to enjoy Aizu Wakamatsu’s famous sauce katsudon, you can’t miss Murai. The large, thick slices of meat are tender and go perfectly with the sauce.
What we especially recommend is the sauce katsudon, which has so much cutlet piled on top that it overflows from the bowl. The large, tender cutlet and the crispy batter are covered in a sauce that goes perfectly with it, making it a popular menu item that you just can’t stop eating. You can also take home any leftovers, so women and those with children can enjoy it with peace of mind.
The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, so it’s perfect for a leisurely lunch or dinner. This popular restaurant, which is also loved by the locals, is a great place to enjoy the flavors of Aizu.
B-Class gourmet food and eating spots in Aizu Wakamatsu
Aizu Wakamatsu is not only a tourist destination, but also a treasure trove of B-Class gourmet food. There are many eating spots scattered around the city that are loved by the locals, so you can enjoy delicious food in a casual setting. The “Nakajima” restaurant, famous for its original stewed sauce pork cutlet rice bowls, the “Yoshinoya Shokudo” restaurant, popular for its reasonably priced special, the “Tonkatsu Banban” restaurant, which boasts its crispy pork cutlets, and the “Uende” ramen restaurant, which is popular with the locals, all have their own unique charm. When you visit Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to try some of these B-grade gourmet foods.
Nakajima|The original Nikomi Sauce Katsudon
<Source:Aizu Wakamatsu Tourism Navi>
One dish you can’t miss out on in the Aizu Wakamatsu gourmet scene is the Nikomi Sauce Katsudon at Nakajima. This shop is a famous restaurant that has been loved by the locals for many years, and its unique style of sauce katsudon is particularly popular. The crispy pork cutlet is slowly soaked in the special stewed sauce, creating a delicious flavor.
The stewed sauce pork cutlet bowl is different from the regular sauce pork cutlet bowl, with the tender stewed pork cutlet piled high on top of the rice. The delicious flavor of the sauce soaks into the rice, making you feel happy with every bite. It’s also very filling, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
The restaurant has a homely atmosphere, with counter seats and table seats, so you can visit here easily whether you’re alone or in a group. It’s a popular spot with both locals and tourists, and there are sometimes long queues at lunchtime when it’s busy. If you’re visiting Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to try the Nikomi Sauce Katsudon at Nakajima.
Yoshinoya Shokudo – Reasonably-priced special loved by locals
<Source: JA Aizu Yotsuba>
Yoshinoya Shokudo, which has been loved by the locals of Aizu Wakamatsu for many years, is a restaurant where you can enjoy special meals with plenty of food at reasonable prices. The restaurant has a homely atmosphere, making it perfect for families and groups of friends. The menu is full of dishes made with fresh local ingredients, and the most popular item is the “daily special meal”. The dishes, which make the most of seasonal ingredients, change daily, so even if you visit many times you can always discover something new.
The special meals also come with rice, miso soup and a small side dish, so they are also well-balanced in terms of nutrition. In particular, the dishes that use Aizu pork, a local specialty, are juicy and very filling. The restaurant is popular with tourists because you can enjoy high-quality food at reasonable prices.
Although there are sometimes long queues at Yoshino-ya Shokudo at lunchtime, the wait is part of the fun. You can enjoy the taste of Aizu while interacting with the locals, and it’s a rare experience. If you’re visiting Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to drop by.
Tonkatsu Banban|A popular restaurant for its crispy pork cutlets
<Source: Association for Traditional Aizu Sauce Katsudon Official Homepage>
If you want to enjoy tonkatsu in Aizu Wakamatsu, you can’t miss Tonkatsu Banan. Here, they are proud of their tonkatsu, which is made using carefully selected pork and wrapped in a crispy batter. The freshly-fried tonkatsu is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and the delicious flavor of the meat spreads with every bite.
The restaurant has a homely atmosphere, making it perfect for families and groups of friends. The lunch set meals are very popular, and the “special pork cutlet set meal” in particular comes with a salad, rice and miso soup, so you can be sure of a satisfying meal. Another attraction is that you can enjoy your meal with your favorite seasoning, such as sauce or salt.
Please come and try the taste of “Tonkatsu Banban”, which is loved by the locals. You will be able to spend a heart-warming time while experiencing the food culture of Aizu Wakamatsu.
Uende|A ramen restaurant loved by the locals
<Source:Uende official website>
Uende, a ramen restaurant in Aizu Wakamatsu, is a famous restaurant that has been loved by the locals for many years. The restaurant has a homely atmosphere, and is always busy with customers visiting with their families or friends. The Chinese soba noodles, which are characterized by their light soup, are particularly popular. The soup, which is made from a base of chicken and pork bones, is said to have a deep flavor but is also light and easy to eat.
The toppings, which include plenty of barbecued pork, pickled bamboo shoots and spring onions, make for a visually appealing bowl of noodles. The special homemade noodles have a chewy texture and go perfectly with the soup. The gyoza dumplings served as a side dish are also excellent, and it is standard to enjoy them together with the ramen.
This ramen restaurant, which is packed with the reasons why it is so loved by the locals, is a great place to try the taste for yourself. It’s a wonderful spot where you can experience the ramen culture of Aizu Wakamatsu.
Recommended lunch spots in Aizu Wakamatsu
There are many delicious lunch spots in Aizu Wakamatsu that make the most of local ingredients. The “Tontei” restaurant, where you can enjoy juicy pork cutlets, and the “Kiriya Gongen Tei ”, which serves handmade soba noodles, are particularly popular. We also recommend “Medetaiya”, where you can enjoy a hearty Aizu lunch, and “Kamishiroya”, where you can enjoy set meals made with local ingredients in a homely atmosphere. At the “Silk Road Museum”, with its relaxed atmosphere, you can spend a relaxing time while enjoying the flavors of Aizu. You can be sure that you will be able to fully enjoy the charm of Aizu at any of these restaurants. Be sure to drop by for lunch.
Tontei|Juicy pork cutlet lunch
<Source:Official website of the Traditional Aizu Sauce Katsudon Association>
If you want to enjoy tonkatsu in Aizu Wakamatsu, you can’t miss Tontei. Here you can enjoy juicy tonkatsu, made with carefully selected pork and wrapped in a crispy batter. We especially recommend the lunch menu’s “tonkatsu set meal”. It’s very filling, and comes with salad, rice and miso soup, so you’ll be sure to leave satisfied.
The restaurant has a homely atmosphere, and is a hidden gem that is also loved by the locals. The restaurant is bustling with customers at lunchtime, and it’s full of energy. In addition to pork cutlets, there is also a wide selection of daily set meals and a la carte dishes, so there is always something to enjoy no matter how many times you visit.
The special sauce is homemade and has a refreshing flavor that goes perfectly with the pork cutlets. Be sure to visit Aizu Wakamatsu’s “Tontei” and enjoy a juicy pork cutlet lunch. You’re in for a wonderful dining experience where you can enjoy the local flavors.
Kiriya Gongen Tei|Taste the hand-made soba noodles with a special touch
<Source:Aizu Wakamatsu Tourism Navi>
If you want to enjoy handmade soba in Aizu Wakamatsu, Kiriya Gongen Tei is a must-visit. Here, they use fresh local buckwheat flour and offer soba that has been carefully handmade by artisans. The aroma and chewy texture of the soba are outstanding, and you will be surprised by how delicious it is when you take a bite.
What we especially recommend is the simple “zaru soba”. This dish allows you to fully enjoy the flavor of the soba, and it goes perfectly with the tsuyu dipping sauce. Another thing to look forward to is the limited-time seasonal menu. In spring, there is wild vegetable soba, in summer there is chilled soba, and in autumn there is mushroom soba, and the menu is full of dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients.
The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, so you can spend a leisurely time there. It would be nice to visit with friends or family and enjoy a delicious bowl of soba while chatting. If you visit Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to try the carefully made hand-rolled soba at Kiriya Gongen Tei.
Medetaiya|Aizu lunch with plenty of volume
<Source:Aizu Wakamatsu Tourism Navi>
If you want to enjoy lunch in Aizu Wakamatsu, you can’t miss Medetaiya. Here, special meals with plenty of volume that make full use of fresh local ingredients are popular. In particular, we recommend the special meal of Chinese noodles and mini pork cutlet rice bowl.
Another thing that makes Medetaiya so appealing is its wide range of menu items. As well as set meals, there is also a full range of a la carte dishes, so you can visit again and again without ever getting bored. In particular, the dishes that use local specialties are loved not only by tourists but also by local people. At lunchtime, the restaurant is bustling with families and businessmen, creating a lively atmosphere.
What’s more, the restaurant has a homely atmosphere, and the warm service provided by the staff is another of its charms. While enjoying your meal, you may even be able to hear stories about the culture and history of Aizu. If you are visiting Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to enjoy a heart-warming lunch at Medetaiya.
Silk Road Museum | Enjoy the taste of Aizu in a relaxed space
<Source:Aizu Wakamatsu Tourism Navi>
Located in the center of Aizu Wakamatsu, the Silk Road Museum is a café and art museum where you can enjoy Aizu-style Japanese sweets and tea in a relaxed atmosphere. The interior of the café is decorated with Silk Road-themed furnishings, creating a space full of an exotic atmosphere. Here, you can enjoy Japanese sweets and tea, as well as exhibits of the cultural heritage and materials collected from the Silk Road.
The Silk Road Museum is the perfect place for lunch or a break, and the attraction is that you can enjoy light meals in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying beautiful works of art and valuable materials. If you visit Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to drop by.
Kamishiroya|Home-style set meals using local ingredients
<Source:Kamishiroya official website>
Kamishiroya in Aizu Wakamatsu is a restaurant where you can enjoy soba noodles, tempura and local sake made with plenty of fresh local ingredients. The interior has a warm atmosphere, and you can spend a relaxing time there as if you were at home. The menu includes set meals made with local vegetables and rice, and the tempura soba noodles are particularly recommended.
Another attraction is the obanzai dishes, which change with the seasons. A variety of small dishes made with seasonal ingredients are served, and the food is also a feast for the eyes. The reason why this restaurant is so popular with the locals is not only because of the delicious food, but also because of the warm and friendly service. It’s the perfect place to visit with family or friends, and you can enjoy the flavors of Aizu to your heart’s content. Kamishiroya is a set meal restaurant that you should definitely stop by.
Gourmet spots to enjoy in the evening in Aizu Wakamatsu
The night in Aizu Wakamatsu is the perfect time to enjoy delicious cuisine made with local ingredients. At “Shibukawa Donya”, which serves Aizu cuisine in a historic building, you can enjoy the traditional flavors. At “Ryori Ryokan Tagoto”, you can enjoy authentic local cuisine, perfect for a special night. In addition, the special hamburg steak at “Grill Keyaki Tei” is popular, and it is also recommended for those who want to enjoy Western-style food. Please be sure to visit these gourmet spots that add color to the night in Aizu Wakamatsu.
Shibukawa Donya|Aizu cuisine in a historic building
<Source:Shibukawa Toiya official website>
Shibukawa Donya, located in the center of Aizu Wakamatsu, is a famous restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Aizu cuisine in a historic building. This place, which has been around since the Meiji era, still retains its original appearance. When you step inside, you’ll be enveloped in a calm atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
The food is mainly local cuisine made with fresh local ingredients, and the simple cooking methods that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients are sure to captivate you. Another attraction is the seasonal menu, which changes with the seasons, so you can discover new flavors every time you visit.
In addition, Shibukawa Donya has a wide selection of local sake, so you can enjoy the food with Aizu’s local sake. The taste of Aizu in a historic building is a spot you definitely want to stop by during your sightseeing. Why not spend a heart-warming moment at this restaurant, which is loved by the locals?
Ryori Ryokan Tagoto|Enjoy authentic Aizu local cuisine
<Source:Aizu Wakamatsu Tourism Navi>
Ryori Ryokan Tagoto in Aizu Wakamatsu is a famous restaurant where you can enjoy authentic local cuisine made with plenty of local ingredients. While carefully preserving traditional Aizu cuisine, the restaurant’s menu features dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients. The restaurant uses fresh ingredients directly purchased from local farmers, and the cooking methods used bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
In addition, Tagoto also has a wide selection of local Aizu sake, so you can enjoy the perfect pairing with your meal. Another of the restaurant’s charms is that you can spend a relaxing time in a calm atmosphere, and receive heart-warming hospitality. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a special dinner or a meal that will remain in your memory of your trip. If you’re visiting Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to drop by.
Grill Keyaki Tei|Western-style restaurant popular for its special hamburgers
<Source: Tabelog>
If you want to enjoy Western-style food in Aizu Wakamatsu, Grill Keyaki Tei is a must-visit restaurant. The specialty here is the special hamburger steak, which has a perfect combination of juicy meat juice and a fluffy texture. The hamburger steak, which is made using carefully selected domestic beef and painstakingly prepared by the chef, is sure to captivate anyone who tries it.
The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for casual dates or meals with friends. The lunch menu is also extensive, and the popular set meals, which come with a hamburger steak, salad, soup and rice, are a great value. In addition, the dinner menu has a wide range of a la carte dishes that you can enjoy with wine.
Grill Keyaki Tei is a Western-style restaurant that is also loved by the locals, and is also a great spot for tourists. If you visit Aizu Wakamatsu, be sure to drop by. You’ll be sure to be satisfied with the deliciousness of their special hamburgers.
Aizu Wakamatsu’s famous foods & superb gourmet food summary
Aizuwakamatsu is a city with a rich natural environment and a historical background, and its charm is also expressed in its delicious cuisine. The local specialties that are loved by the locals are also very popular with tourists. Here, we have compiled a list of the superb gourmet dishes that you should definitely try when you visit Aizuwakamatsu.
Aizuwakamatsu’s specialty, the sauce katsudon, is a dish of pork cutlet with a crispy batter and a generous helping of special sauce served on top of rice. You can enjoy it at local diners and specialty restaurants, and it is very filling and extremely satisfying.
There are many restaurants in Aizu Wakamatsu that serve these local specialties, and each restaurant has its own particular focus. Be sure to stop by when you visit. Enjoy the flavors that the locals love and experience the charm of Aizu Wakamatsu to the full.
