A tour of Fukushima gourmet food! 35 must-try places, from hidden gems to famous specialties

Fukushima Prefecture is known as a place where you can enjoy a wide variety of gourmet food, as well as beautiful natural scenery. There are a variety of local specialties to try, and there are plenty of delicious places to stop by while sightseeing. In this article, we have carefully selected 30 must-try places, from local favorites to hidden gems, centered around Aizu Wakamatsu, Minami Aizu, Koriyama, Fukushima City, Iwaki, Shirakawa, and Kitakata. Enjoy your trip while sampling the unique flavors of Fukushima.

1. Enjoying the local gourmet in Aizu Wakamatsu

Murai: Aizu Wakamatsu’s sauce katsudon

<Quotation: MyNabi Womanhttps://woman.mynavi.jp/article/131219-54/>

If you visit Aizu Wakamatsu, you definitely want to try the local specialty, sauce katsudon. Murai is a popular restaurant that is also loved by the locals. The pork cutlet is fried to a crisp and then covered in a special sweet and spicy sauce, and the delicious flavor that spreads in your mouth is exquisite. It goes perfectly with the rice, and although it is filling, it also has a nostalgic flavor. In particular, the richness of the sauce and the juiciness of the cutlet are its distinguishing features, and the satisfaction you get from eating it lasts for a long time afterwards.

This famous restaurant is a popular destination for tourists looking for a taste that evokes the traditions of Aizu. Be sure to drop in here during your sightseeing.

Sato Nanami

Business hours are from 11:00 to 13:30!

Tsuruga Aizu Main Store: Horse Sashimi from Aizu

<Quotation: Aizu Wakamatsu Tourism Navigationhttps://www.aizukanko.com/gourmet/389>

If you want to enjoy horse meat in Aizu Wakamatsu, you can’t miss Tsuruga Aizu Main Store. Here, fresh horse meat is delivered from the Aizu Horse Farm every day, so you can enjoy genuine Aizu-brand certified horse meat. We especially recommend the horse meat sashimi. You can enjoy more than eight different parts of the horse, and you can fully appreciate the rich flavor. In addition, Tsuruga’s specialty, ‘Sakura-nabe’, is a sukiyaki-style dish made with the highest quality horse kalbi meat and Aizu’s unique cherry blossom miso. The exquisite combination of the deliciousness of the horse meat and the miso is a real gem.

In addition to horse meat dishes, they also focus on Aizu’s local cuisine, so you can enjoy historic flavors such as ‘tempura manju’, ‘pickled herring in Japanese pepper’, and the locally loved ‘Aizu Dengaku’. From small meals to large banquets, they can cater for all occasions, so when you come to Aizu, please visit ‘Tsuruga Aizu Main Store’ and enjoy the appeal of local cuisine along with horse meat.

Sato Nanami

It’s about 5-minute on foot from Aizuwakamatsu station!

Aizu Aoi Silk Road Museum: Take a break in a retro building

<Quotation: Aizu Wakamatsu Tourism Guidehttps://www.aizukanko.com/gourmet/22>

The Aizu Aoi Silk Road Museum, located near Tsuruga Castle, where you can feel the history of Aizu Wakamatsu, is a special place where history and culture come together. At the cafe in the museum, you can enjoy the products of Aizu Aoi, a long-established Japanese sweets shop, along with their carefully selected coffee. We particularly recommend the “Rum Aoi + Coffee (Kenya) Set”. The rum-soaked Aizu Aoi and the fruity, acidic Kenyan coffee are a perfect match, providing you with a moment of elegance. In addition, the museum also holds valuable exhibitions on the Silk Road and Nanban culture, so you can enjoy both the museum and the cafe while immersing yourself in an exotic atmosphere. It is a wonderful place where you can relax and enjoy history and beauty in the old brick warehouse.

Sato Nanami

Business hours are from 11:00 to 16:00!

Saiku Saishu Aizukko: You can eat Kozuyu, a specialty of Aizuwakamatsu

<Quotation: Aizu Chicken Flavor Associationhttps://aizujidori-ajinokai.com/shop-info/aizukko/>

Aizukko in Aizuwakamatsu is a restaurant that serves dishes made with a generous amount of local ingredients. The menu that we especially recommend is the one that uses Aizu chicken. The Aizu chicken sukiyaki, which allows you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of the local chicken, is served on a ceramic plate and is a dish that you can enjoy with the eggs of the Aizu chicken. The skewered chicken platter, which allows you to enjoy different parts of the Aizu chicken, is also popular and you can enjoy five different types of skewered chicken. In addition, the Aizu local dish “kozu-yu” is also superb. Ingredients such as kikurage mushrooms, bracken, and taro, which have been stewed in scallop stock, are served in a red Aizu lacquerware bowl, and the taste is heart-warming. The name “kozu-yu” is said to be a corruption of “kouju no tsuyu”, and you can feel the history and taste of Aizu. This is a restaurant where you can enjoy the local flavors to your heart’s content.

Sato Nanami

Business hours are from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Aizu Traditional Local Cuisine Shou: Enjoy a wide variety of local cuisine

<Quotation: A relaxing life in Aizu Wakamatsuhttp://okitamaco.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-2692.html?sp>

Shou in Aizu Wakamatsu is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy a wide variety of traditional local cuisine from Aizu. Using fresh local ingredients, they serve dishes that have been passed down through the generations. In particular, we recommend the “kozu-yu”, a representative local dish of Aizu, and the traditional “Tsurumi no nishime”. Kozu-yu is a warm and gentle-tasting soup with plenty of ingredients stewed in scallop stock. The dishes made with Aizu chicken and locally-grown vegetables are also superb, and you can really feel the local Aizu atmosphere.

The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and a homely feel that is loved by the locals. In between sightseeing, you can enjoy heart-warming dishes while feeling the history and culture of Aizu. If you want to enjoy local cuisine in Aizu Wakamatsu, this is a restaurant you should definitely visit.

Sato Nanami

The mountain vegetable tempura is highly recommended.

Manda-ya: Long-established miso dengaku

<Quotation: Manda-ya official websitehttps://www.mitsutaya.jp/store.html>

Manda-ya in Aizu Wakamatsu is a long-established miso specialty store that was established in the late Edo period (1834), and is a restaurant where you can enjoy Aizu’s traditional local dish, miso dengaku. The interior is a tasteful space that has been converted from a miso storehouse, and you can enjoy miso dengaku around the sunken hearth. Here, various ingredients such as konjac, deep-fried tofu made with Manda-ya rapeseed oil, freshly pounded rice cakes, shingoro rice cakes, soft-textured dried herring, and taro are grilled in a secret miso sauce. The miso sauce is flavoured with yuzu, juniper, sansho, and other ingredients, and the simple flavours of the ingredients are exquisitely intertwined with the savoury aroma of the charcoal grill.

The shop also sells Aizu specialties such as miso, cooking oil and miso-pickles, so you can enjoy the local flavors at home too. This is a place where you can enjoy nostalgic, heart-warming flavors while experiencing the history and culture of Aizu. The miso dengaku, which is enjoyed around the sunken hearth, is called “Aizu Sakoransho” and is a must-try when touring the gourmet food of Fukushima.

Sato Nanami

You can also enjoy local craft beer.

2. Local cuisine in Minamiaizu

Misawaya: Ouchi-juku specialty – handmade soba noodles

<Quotation: Itoen Hotels official websitehttps://www.itoenhotel.com/higashiyama/event/detail/1534/>

Misawaya, located in Ouchi-juku in Minamiaizu, is a famous restaurant where you can enjoy traditional hand-made soba noodles. Of particular note is the Takato soba, which is named after the Aizu feudal lord who grew up in the Takato domain in Shinshu and became the Aizu feudal lord in 1643. This soba is characterized by the fact that it is eaten with a generous amount of grated daikon, and at Misawaya it is served in a unique style. What’s more, the flavor is enhanced even further by using the green onion as a substitute for chopsticks and adding it to the soba as a condiment.

The hand-made soba has a strong texture and a rich aroma. The refreshing flavor of the grated daikon and the flavor of the green onion match perfectly, and the deliciousness of the dish spreads with each bite. Strolling through the atmospheric streets of Ouchi-juku and enjoying this specialty soba at Misawaya is the true essence of a gourmet tour of Fukushima. Please enjoy a bowl of noodles that will make you feel the local traditions.

Sato Nanami

There are also several other restaurants serving negi soba.

Jyunen-no-an: Enjoying the local cuisine of Okuaizu

<Quotation: Ramen Bugeichohttp://takasakisilense.cocolog-nifty.com/takasakisilence/2013/09/post-014e.html>

Located in Minamiaizu, Jyunen-no-an is a restaurant where you can experience the nature and food culture of Okuaizu. The Jyunen Shoyu Ramen is particularly popular here, and is characterized by its unique flavor made with Jyunen (perilla). Jyunen has long been a popular ingredient in the Okuaizu region, and is also said to be good for your health. In this ramen, the fragrant extract of Jyunen blends into the rich soy sauce broth, creating a mellow and deep flavor.

In addition, Jyunen-no-an also has a wide range of dishes that make the most of the local seasonal ingredients, so you can enjoy the simple, warm local cuisine of Okuaizu. This restaurant, which is also loved by the locals, is a great place to spend a heart-warming moment while feeling the traditions of the region. It is a spot you definitely want to stop by when touring Fukushima’s gourmet food.

Sato Nanami

There is a large signboard in front of the shop.

Minatoya: Enjoy the local flavors

<Quotation: Minatoya official websitehttps://oouchi-minatoya.com>

Minatoya in Minamiaizu is a restaurant where you can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients, and is the perfect spot for those who want to savor the local flavors. We especially recommend the handmade soba noodles made with 100% local flour. The flavor and smoothness of the soba is wonderful, and you can really taste the richness of the flavor with every bite. Made with locally-produced ingredients, this soba gives you a real sense of the natural bounty of Aizu.

In addition, the “Aizu Chicken Curry” made with Aizu chicken is also a popular menu item. This curry, which is topped with fried chicken, has a rich flavor and you can really taste the deliciousness of the locally-produced chicken. It’s also very filling.

Also, you shouldn’t miss the Okuaizu local dish “shingoro”. Shingoro, which is grilled slowly over an open fire, has a delicious aroma and a traditional flavor. Minatoya is a place where you can experience the local cuisine of Minamiaizu, while enjoying dishes that make the most of local ingredients and seasonal flavors.

Sato Nanami

Aizu Jidori chicken curry is also highly recommended.

Miuraya: A long-established confectionery in Minamiaizu

<Quotation: Miuraya official websitehttps://miuraya.minamiaizu.shop>

Miuraya, located in the town of Aizu-Tajima, is a long-established Japanese and Western confectionery shop that has been around since the middle of the Showa period, and has been loved by the local people for many years. In particular, the famous confectionery called “Shigiyama” created by the founder, Nobuo Hoshi, is well known. Shigiyama is a baked confectionery with a unique texture and flavor, made by enclosing white bean paste mixed with walnuts and raisins in a crispy shortbread dough. It has a nostalgic flavor that even first-time eaters will enjoy, and is truly a symbolic product of Miuraya.

Miuraya also offers seasonal cakes and sweets made with peaches and blueberries from Fukushima Prefecture and apples from Minamiaizu, and is committed to developing new flavors that make the most of the rich local ingredients. Miuraya, which has a history of over 50 years, continues to evolve while preserving tradition, and places importance on conveying the appeal of the local area. The Shigisan shop, where you can enjoy the fusion of Japanese and Western styles, and the new sweets that are made each season, are places you should definitely visit when touring Fukushima for its gourmet food.

Sato Nanami

It’s about 5-minute on foot from Aizutazima station.

3. Ramen and local flavors to enjoy in Koriyama

Ramen Okamura: Koriyama’s specialty “Black Ramen

<Quotation: Gurutto Koriyamahttps://www.gurutto-koriyama.com/detail/564/news/news-118640.html>

Ramen Okamura, located in Otsuki-machi, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a popular ramen restaurant where you can enjoy Koriyama’s specialty, “Black Ramen”. Here, they serve ramen made with three different types of soup that have been created through a process of trial and error, and all of them are reputed to be unique and delicious.

The “Aizu Chicken Soup” is a simple, clear soup made with Aizu chicken from Fukushima Prefecture, and you can taste the deliciousness of the chicken. On the other hand, the “nu-hakutou” is a new-style white soup made from chicken, pork and beef, and is characterized by its mild and deep flavor. Furthermore, the “seabone-pork-rich” is a rich-flavored soup made from a mixture of pork, chicken, beef and dried sardines, and the addition of rich pork fat gives it a rich flavor.

In addition, thin noodles and medium-thick noodles are used to match the soup, giving each ramen a unique finish. Please enjoy the taste of Koriyama at this restaurant, where you can enjoy your favorite bowl of noodles for lunch or dinner.

Sato Nanami

It’s 1,100 yen!

Taizantei: A famous restaurant for fried noodles with a thick sauce

<Quotation: Bakuchan’s Fukushima Gourmet Tourhttp://blog.livedoor.jp/cordial8317-gourmet/archives/77877070.html>

Taiantei, located in Koriyama City, is a famous restaurant for its fried noodles with thick starchy sauce, and is loved by the local residents. The fried noodles with thick starchy sauce served here are a special dish that you can’t taste at other restaurants. The noodles are fried to a crisp and covered in a thick starchy sauce containing plenty of vegetables and seafood, and the dish is characterized by its exquisite texture and flavor. The sauce has a good thickness and deep flavor, and while it has a rich taste, the aftertaste is light. It is full of vegetables and ingredients, and is extremely filling.

In addition, Taizantei offers a variety of Chinese dishes made with local ingredients, including its famous fried noodles with thick sauce. This restaurant is perfect for lunch or dinner, and is a must-visit spot for those who want to try some of Fukushima’s local cuisine in a homely atmosphere. Please enjoy the taste of Koriyama to your heart’s content at Taizantei, a famous fried noodles with thick sauce restaurant.

Sato Nanami

All items are available at affordable prices.

Otomo Bakery: Koriyama’s soul food, the “cream box”

<Quotation: “Panpota Otomo Bakery”https://www.panportal.jp/ootomopan/>

Koriyama’s famous “cream box” is a local soul food that has been loved by the locals for many years. It was first created in the early 1980s at Otomo Bread Shop, which has a history of over 100 years. The cream box is a simple bread with a thick slice of milk bread and a generous amount of cream with a low sweetness, but it is loved by many people for its exquisite balance.

The bread used is “milk bread”, and the 3cm thickness gives it a satisfying volume. The bread dough goes perfectly with the cream, and it has a solid, filling texture. It is a simple product, but every time you eat it you will feel a sense of nostalgia and satisfaction. Otomo Bakery also sells the “Dairy Cafe Au Lait Box”, which uses “Dairy Cafe Au Lait”, a drink that is popular as the soul drink of Fukushima, so you can enjoy the local taste together with the Cream Box.

With a history of nearly 40 years, the cream box from Otomo Bakery is a local delicacy that you should definitely try when you visit Koriyama.

Sato Nanami

Cream Bread is recommended!

Ouse Chaya: Koriyama City’s local dish, “cabbage rice cake”

<Quotation: Ouse Park and Greening Centerhttps://ousepark.jp/ousechaya/>

If you want to enjoy the local specialty “cabbage rice cake”, which has long been popular in the Ouse area of Koriyama City, then Ouse Chaya is the place to go. This home-style dish is loved by the locals, alongside bean paste rice cakes and walnut rice cakes, and is eaten all year round. It is easy to make, and is made by mixing freshly-made rice cakes with stir-fried cabbage. The savory flavor of the cabbage and the chewy texture of the rice cake are a perfect match.

Ouse Chaya is the only restaurant in the area that serves cabbage mochi as a local specialty, and its taste is well-loved by the locals. In addition, they also sell “cabbage mochi sticks”, which were developed as part of the Azumi Alps Encounter Project. These are made by wrapping cabbage mochi in spring roll pastry and deep-frying it, and they can be frozen. When freshly deep-fried, you can enjoy the soft texture of the mochi.

Please enjoy the nostalgic taste of Koriyama at Ouse Chaya, which is also working on developing new menus that make the most of local ingredients.

Sato Nanami

Located in the center of the park grounds.

Izakaya Yasube: Enjoy the carp that is the number one producer in Japan

<Quotation: Tabikoihttps://www.tabikoi.com/kawasaki27/>

Izakaya Yasube in Koriyama City is a famous restaurant where you can enjoy carp dishes, which are a specialty of Fukushima. Fukushima Prefecture boasts the largest production of carp in Japan, and you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes made with this fresh and delicious fish. One dish we particularly recommend is “name-ro”, which is made by pounding carp fillets with a knife to make them into a fine paste, and then mixing them with miso and condiments. The result is a dish with a sticky texture, and a perfect combination of the fat of the carp and the condiments.

In addition, the “big koi tsukune” dumplings made from koi fish paste are also popular. You can enjoy the crispy outside and soft inside. The dishes that make the most of the unique flavor of koi fish are a rare experience that you can’t easily enjoy anywhere else. At Izakaya Yasube, you can enjoy these local koi dishes to your heart’s content. Be sure to visit and try them as a local dish of Fukushima.

Sato Nanami

It’s about 5-minute on foot from Koriyama Station!

Manga-dooru: a classic souvenir

<Quotation: Sanmangoku official websitehttps://www.sanmangoku.co.jp/products/mamadoru/>

Manga-dooru is a classic confectionary sold as a souvenir at Sanmangoku in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. Manga-dooru is a baked confectionary made with a butter-based dough that encloses a milk-flavored bean jam filling. The gentle sweetness and the melt-in-the-mouth texture of the dough are its distinctive features, and the fact that you can eat it again and again without getting tired of it is its appeal.

The name “Mamadoru” is Spanish for “baby that drinks milk”, and the milk-flavored bean paste and the mild aroma of butter give it a taste that is truly as gentle as “milk”. As a representative confection of Sanmangoku, it has been enjoyed by locals and tourists alike for many years.

Mamadoll is a popular souvenir and a perfect way to take home a specialty of Fukushima. Its gentle flavor is sure to make anyone who eats it feel happy. After enjoying the Fukushima gourmet, be sure to take some Mamadoll home with you as a souvenir.

Sato Nanami

Chocolate Mamadori is also available.

4. Enjoying specialty gourmet food around Fukushima Station

Irorian Higashiguchi Branch: Enjoy local cuisine close to the station

<Quotation: Local cuisine and grilled shabu-shabu/sukiyaki [Irorian Momen-tei]https://irorian-higashiguchi.gorp.jp>

Irorian Higashiguchi Branch, located within walking distance of the east exit of Fukushima Station, is a place where you can enjoy traditional local cuisine from Fukushima in a casual setting. There is a wide selection of dishes that allow you to enjoy the flavors of Fukushima, including horse sashimi from Aizu, squid and carrot, pickled herring in sansho (Japanese pepper), kozu-yu (a type of hotpot dish), and grilled fish roe. There are also creative dishes that make full use of local ingredients, and they are popular with both tourists and locals.

In addition, there is a wide selection of local sake from Fukushima that perfectly complements the dishes, and the variety of local sake from Fukushima is particularly attractive. The sake you enjoy with your meal enhances the deliciousness of the local cuisine. The restaurant is conveniently located near the station, so it’s a great spot to enjoy local flavors when you visit Fukushima.

While enjoying traditional Fukushima cuisine and local sake, why not take a moment to relax and unwind from your travels?

Sato Nanami

It’s about 5-minute on foot from Fukushima Station!

Aizu Local Cuisine Raku: Enjoying the local cuisine of Fukushima

<Quotation: aruku morehttps://www.arukunet.jp/14081/>

Aizu Folk Cuisine Raku is a 7-minute walk from the east exit of Fukushima Station, along the Bunkadōri street that was once known as Ishiyakōji. The restaurant is a warm and relaxed space where you can enjoy local cuisine unique to Fukushima, such as horse sashimi, grilled Aizu chicken yakitori, and kozu-yu.

We especially recommend the seasonal course meals, such as the limited-time-only cherry blossom hot pot and Aizu chicken hot pot. We also have a wide selection of delicious Fukushima sake, so you can enjoy a cup of sake carefully selected by the owner, who loves sake. It’s a great place for a casual meal for one, a girls’ night out, or a meal after work, as well as for parties.

At “Raku”, you can be sure to spend a relaxing time while enjoying the local flavors of Fukushima. It is a wonderful spot where people visiting on business or for sightseeing can enjoy the unique cuisine and hospitality of Fukushima.

Sato Nanami

It’s 1,500yen!

Mori-naga Shokudo: A long-established tempura restaurant

<Quotation: Bakuchan’s Fukushima Gourmet Tourhttp://blog.livedoor.jp/cordial8317-gourmet/archives/77094755.html>

Mori-naga Shokudo, located in Waseda-machi, Fukushima City, is a tempura rice bowl specialty restaurant that has been in business for 60 years. The restaurant is well-loved by the locals, and is particularly famous for its prawn tempura rice bowls. The crispy fried prawn tempura and the slightly dark sweet and spicy sauce are a perfect match, giving the dish a traditional flavor. The degree of frying of the prawns and the flavor of the tempura sauce are exquisite, and the restaurant is well-loved as a true Fukushima specialty.

In addition, the popular menu item “Shanghai tempura rice bowl (with an extra piece of shrimp)” is not only a perfect match for the way the shrimp is fried and the tempura sauce, but also for the slightly hard-cooked rice. The pickled daikon and wakame miso soup also add a nice touch, and you can enjoy a simple but heart-warming meal. If you want to enjoy authentic tempura rice bowls near Fukushima Station, this is a great restaurant worth visiting.

Sato Nanami

Business hours are from 11:00 to 18:30!

New Kimuraya: Fukushima’s famous sweets – walnut yubeshi

<Quotation: New Kimuraya official websitehttps://newkimuraya.shop-pro.jp>

New Kimuraya, located near Fukushima Station, is a famous shop that makes the famous “walnut yubeshi” sweets that represent Fukushima. The walnut yubeshi is made using the finest mochi rice that has been ground into flour, and seasoned with a special soy sauce made from “homemade moromi” that has been matured for over a year. In particular, the rich aroma and full-bodied flavor of the Tamaryu soy sauce, which has no off-flavors, is a perfect match for the walnuts, bringing out a deep, rich flavor.

This yubeshi, which is made with plenty of walnuts from California, is steamed for a long time to give it a moist texture, and is carefully made by artisans based on traditional methods. The mellow sweetness and soy sauce flavor spreads in your mouth as you eat it, and you can really taste the flavor of Fukushima. The walnut yubeshi, which is loved by both locals and tourists, is a must-try for anyone who wants to experience the taste of Fukushima.

Sato Nanami

Fukushima pie is highly recommended！

5. Enjoying the fresh seafood of Iwaki

Urokoichi Restaurant: Iwaki’s seafood bowl

<Quotation: Iwaki City Tourism Sitehttps://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/gourmet/20024>

Iwaki’s “Urokoichi” is a famous seafood restaurant that is also loved by the locals. They have a wide range of dishes that make full use of fresh seafood, including sashimi, simmered fish and grilled fish, all of which make the most of the day’s catch. In particular, their seafood rice bowls are popular even among the locals, and they are piled high with a variety of fresh fish, making them extremely filling.

What’s more, all of Urokoichi’s seafood bowls come with crab soup, making the meal even more luxurious. Not only can you fully enjoy the taste of the seafood, but the warm crab soup will also warm you up from the inside, filling your heart as well. It’s a dish with plenty of volume that will satisfy anyone. If you want to enjoy the fresh seafood of Iwaki, this is a restaurant you definitely want to visit.

Sato Nanami

All rice bowl dishes come with crab soup!

Aizu Toraya: Iwaki Miso Ramen

<Quotation: Iwaki City Tourism Sitehttps://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/gourmet/50078>

Aizu Toraya is a ramen restaurant that uses carefully selected ingredients from Aizu to create local flavors. The ramen, which the owner perfected through repeated trial and error, is so delicious that you won’t forget it once you’ve tried it. The miso ramen with grilled pork is highly recommended. The pork, which is made from domestic pork, has a savory, rich flavor with a hint of sweetness, and is a thick, hearty dish. It has a characteristic softness that melts in your mouth, and is perfect for ramen.

The soup is made using Aizu miso, and is characterized by its mild flavor without being heavy. The rich flavor and mild texture are in perfect harmony, and you’ll find yourself wanting to keep eating more and more. As well as miso ramen, they also have soy sauce and salt ramen, all of which make the most of local ingredients to create superb dishes. This is a recommended restaurant for those who want to enjoy the local flavors of Iwaki.

Sato Nanami

Business hours are from11:00 to 18:00!

Akahyotan: A winter delicacy – Ankou nabe

<Quotation: Iwaki City Tourism Sitehttps://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/gourmet/51165>

The representative winter delicacy of Iwaki is ankou nabe. To help you get through the cold of winter, ankou nabe, which has been loved by the locals for many years, is a dish that you can’t resist with its chewy texture of ankimo (monkfish liver) and ankou (monkfish). Using ankou, which is in season from December to January, not only the flesh but also the skin, internal organs and gills are used in abundance. As a result, the delicious flavor of the ankou is concentrated, and you can enjoy the deep flavor with every mouthful.

Furthermore, anglerfish is rich in nutrients, especially collagen, so it is also good for beauty. By stewing it with vegetables, you can also get a good balance of vitamins and nutrients, and it will warm you up from the inside out. There are many restaurants in Iwaki City that serve anglerfish hot pot, and you can enjoy the full appeal of this dish at any of them. Please warm your body and soul with anglerfish hot pot, a winter delicacy!

Sato Nanami

It located just a short walk from JR Iwaki Station.

Delicious Aquarium “Aqua Cross”: A new local specialty, a burger made with swordfish

<Quotation: Aquamarine official websitehttps://www.aquamarine.or.jp/guide/restaurant/aquacross/>

The Delicious Aquarium – Aqua Cross – in Onahama, Iwaki City, offers unique gourmet food that makes the most of local specialties. One item that is particularly worth a mention is the hamburger made with the local specialty, swordfish meatballs. The freshly fried, crispy swordfish meatballs are covered in a generous amount of tartar sauce, creating a juicy, rich flavor. The combination with the bun is also perfect, and this filling burger is perfect for lunch or a light meal. This menu item, which uses swordfish, makes full use of local ingredients to create a dish with a deep flavor.

With a location that overlooks the beautiful ocean, be sure to enjoy this special burger while you’re taking a break from your tour of the museum. You can enjoy the local flavors and feel the bounty of Iwaki’s sea.

Sato Nanami

The whale cutlet dish is highly recommended!

Izakaya “Hama Ryori Sakanai”: Soul Food “Deep-fried Mekikari”

<Quotation: Iwaki City Tourism Sitehttps://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/local/izakaya001/top>

Iwaki City’s “Hama Ryori Sakanawa” is a pub with a menu full of fresh local seafood. The dish you must try here is Iwaki’s soul food, deep-fried mehikari. The crunchy batter and fluffy flesh of this mehikari is a deep-fried delicacy that you can’t taste anywhere else. What’s more, the texture is so good that you can eat the whole thing without worrying about the spine. Enjoying it with ponzu sauce mixed with grated daikon is a new way to discover its deliciousness! The exquisite finish is thanks to the owner taking his time to fry it slowly.

At “Hama Ryori Sakanamono”, in addition to fried mehikari, the fried fish and seafood dishes such as fried sardine balls are also superb. The crunchy and fluffy texture means you hardly notice the bones, and it really is a taste to be impressed by. It is a popular restaurant loved by the locals, so reservations are essential. If you’re ever in Iwaki, this is a shop you definitely want to drop in at!

Sato Nanami

It’s about 5-minute on foot from Iwaki station!

Okashi no Miyoshi: Iwaki’s famous sweet “Jangara

<Quotation: Okashi no Miyoshihttps://j-miyoshi.jp/jyangara.html>

Jangara is a confectionery that has long been popular as a famous confectionery of Iwaki, and it is derived from the local performing art of Jangara Nembutsu Odori (Jangara Buddhist Chanting Dance). This confectionery was created using the traditional drum shape as its motif, and since its birth it has continued to be loved by the local people. Jangara, which represents Miyoshi, has been popular as a souvenir and gift for over half a century.

What makes them so special is the glossy red bean paste, which is kneaded by skilled artisans to match the temperature and humidity. The azuki beans used are the highest quality “Shumari” from Hokkaido, which gives the sweets their rich texture and deep flavor. The red bean paste, wrapped in a baked crust, has a crispy surface and a chewy texture when you bite into it. The aroma of the eggs and milk spreads out, and the sweetness of the bean paste is gently enhanced.

Sato Nanami

It’s a summer tradition!

6. Shirakawa City’s famous gourmet food

Tora Shokudo: Soul food Shirakawa ramen

<Quotation: Fukushima Real Journeyhttps://www.tif.ne.jp/hontabi/2021/autumn/info.html?info=46>

Torashokudo in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a famous restaurant that attracts ramen fans not only from the local area but from all over the country. The specialty here is ramen made with no chemical seasonings at all, making the most of the original flavors of the ingredients. The most popular item is the Wantanmen. The soup is a simple soy sauce-based broth with the delicious flavors of chicken and pork bones dissolved in it, giving it a deep richness. The flavor that slowly spreads in your mouth is delicious enough to make you want to drink it again and again.

In addition, the noodles are all handmade by artisans, and their smoothness and elasticity are exceptional. The texture of the noodles, which you can slurp up comfortably, is addictive, and once you’ve tried them you won’t forget them. Furthermore, when you order, chopped onions are provided, and when you add them to the soup, they add a crunchy texture and sweetness, making the soup even more flavorful.

As the birthplace of Shirakawa ramen, the disciples who have inherited the taste of Shirakawa ramen are now developing it all over the country, and it is a famous restaurant that you should visit at least once if you visit Shirakawa.

Sato Nanami

Business hours are from 11:00 to 14:30, and 16:00 to 18:00!

Shinkoma Honten: Shirakawa soba with a long history

<Quotation: Shinkoma Honten official HPhttps://www.shinkomahonten.com>

Shinkoma Honten in Shirakawa City is a famous restaurant where you can enjoy the historic Shirakawa soba. The restaurant’s specialty is its use of ingredients that are locally produced. It uses only soba flour from Shirakawa and carefully grinds the “Shirakawa Highland brown soba” that is grown under contract, providing it to customers. This creates soba that is rich in aroma and flavor, and you can really taste the deliciousness of it with each bite.

Inside the restaurant, you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere, with the aroma of the earthen floor evoking the atmosphere of Oshu Shirakawa. The soba noodles at the main branch of Shinkoma are outstanding in terms of their texture and smoothness, and the carefully selected ingredients used are all grown by local farmers. This is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy the authentic taste of Shirakawa soba.

Sato Nanami

It’s about 10-minute by car from Shin-shirakawa Station!

Kagetsu: A specialty of Nanko Park – Nanko dango

<Quotation: Shirakawa Sightseeing Guidehttps://shirakawa315.com/recommendcp/花月/>

Kagetsu, located in Minami Koen Park in Shirakawa City, is a famous shop that is the originator of Minami Ko dango. It is a historic teahouse that has been around since 1857, and you can enjoy dango with a soft texture that melts in your mouth while looking at the beautiful scenery of Minami Ko. The taste has been passed down through the ages, and is well-loved by the locals.

The gentle sweetness and moist texture of the Nanko dango at Kagetsu never gets old, no matter how many times you eat them. The taste is even more enhanced when enjoyed with the beautiful scenery of each season. There is also a wide selection of other sweets and meals, so this is a shop where you can look forward to visiting again and again. When you visit Nanko Park, be sure to stop by and enjoy the traditional taste.

Sato Nanami

Business hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Ninomaru Chaya: The new specialty “Daruma Burger”

<Quotation: Shirakawa Area Navihttps://shirakawa-area-navi.jp/highlight.php?mode=detail&code=99>

At Ninomaru Chaya, located in Shiroyama Park in Shirakawa City, you can enjoy the popular “Shirakawa Daruma Burger”, which is a good luck charm for success in exams and the fulfillment of wishes. This local specialty burger is a unique creation based on the “Shirakawa Daruma” doll, which is a symbol of Shirakawa, and it is said to bring good luck to those who eat it. The buns are branded with a special prayer for good luck from Nanko Park, so you can enjoy the burger with a sense of special good luck.

The burger is made with curry, which symbolizes an increase in financial luck in feng shui, and uses pork cutlet (katsu), which means “win” in Japanese, to symbolize winning in competitions. It also uses ingredients that are known to improve your luck in love, such as tomatoes, and is full of ingredients that are expected to bring good luck. It uses fresh, high-quality ingredients from the local area, and you can enjoy the unique taste of Shirakawa and the fun of improving your luck. It is also recommended for those who are preparing for exams or important events.

Sato Nanami

It’s about 5-minute on foot from Shirakawa Station!

7. Kitakata City Ramen and Local Gourmet

Sakanai Shokudo: Kitakata Ramen, loved by the locals

<Quotation: Kitakata Ramen Bannaihttps://ban-nai.com/about/>

Bannai Shokudo is a restaurant that represents the famous ramen of Kitakata City. Kitakata City is known as the “Sato no Kura” (Sato of Warehouses) of Tohoku, and is a region where many famous ramen restaurants are located. Bannai Shokudo is one of the three most famous ramen restaurants in Kitakata, and has been loved by locals and tourists for many years.

The ramen at Sakanai Shokudo is characterized by its clear soup, which has a light taste but also a deep richness. The local people are proud of the taste, and the special roast pork is thick and so tender that it melts in your mouth. The flat, mature, high-water-content noodles have a chewy texture that goes perfectly with the soup. The noodles are handmade and served fresh, so they have a nostalgic, warm flavor.

The ramen at Sakanai Shokudo is simple, yet you can enjoy its deep and rich flavor, and every time you eat it, you will be impressed by its deliciousness. It is a famous restaurant that you should definitely stop by when you visit Kitakata.

Sato Nanami

The shop also has locations around the world！

Coffee Kura Nurinosato: Typical dish “Kozu-yu

<Quotation: Kitami Hachirohei Shotenhttps://hachiro-bei.com/cafe/>

The “Coffee Kura Nurinosato” in Kitakata City is a cafe that has been converted from a retro-style warehouse, and is a spot where you can spend a relaxing time. Here, you can enjoy “kozu-yu”, a local dish from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. Kozu-yu is a traditional dish that has been passed down in the Aizu region for a long time, and is a hot soup dish that is eaten especially during the cold winter months.

Kozu-yu is made using carefully selected ingredients from the Aizu region, and is characterized by its light flavor, which comes from the chicken, vegetables, tofu and rice cakes that are stewed together. The Inaka Mochi Zen set served at this restaurant in particular comes with three types of freshly pounded golden rice cakes from Aizu, which are served alongside the kozu-yu. The texture of the rice cakes and the delicious flavor of the kozu-yu combine to create a dish that will warm you up.

Eating kozu-yu in a historic storehouse built in 1877 is a luxurious experience that really makes you feel the local flavor. Why not try enjoying the traditional taste in this historic space?

Sato Nanami

The sweet potato ice cream is highly recommended!

Atami Shokudo: A specialty of Shiokawa-machi, Kitakata City: chicken offal

<Quotation: YAHOO! Newshttps://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/3c68589143ea153a6d574213eeef5a72bbaa8cf6>

Located in Shiokawa-machi, Kitakata City, Atami Shokudo is a popular restaurant that serves the local specialty “chicken offal”. Chicken offal, which is popular in Shiokawa-machi, is a dish that mainly uses chicken skin, and is different from the usual beef or pork offal. The chicken offal, which is stewed in a soy sauce-based sweet and spicy sauce, is very tender and has a characteristic easy-to-eat texture. The flavoring goes perfectly with rice, and the rich flavor spreads through your mouth.

Chicken offal is a local specialty of Shiokawa Town that is loved by the locals, and its rich flavor is so delicious that you’ll be hooked after just one taste. Atami Shokudo serves this chicken offal, which has been slowly stewed, and it is very popular with both locals and tourists. Please try it for yourself and see why it is a new local specialty of Shiokawa Town.

Sato Nanami

The entrance of the shop, marked by a signboard and a partially lifted noren.

Satori Kura: Enjoy local cuisine “dried cod dishes”

<Quotation: Satore Kura official HPhttp://www.chuokai-fukushima.or.jp/siyakusyo-st/shop/kura/index.html>

Satore Kura in Kitakata City is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy Aizu local cuisine with a modern twist. In particular, the “dried cod dish” is worth a mention. Bota-dara is a dried codfish that has long been popular in the Aizu region. Here you can try Bota-dara stew, a stew made with dried codfish. The delicious flavor of the dried codfish and the demi-glace sauce combine to create a rich, deep flavor.

The kaiseki-ryōri (multi-course Japanese meal) is also very attractive, and the wagyu sukiyaki (sukiyaki made with tender, juicy Japanese beef) is also very popular. The restaurant uses plenty of local ingredients from Aizu, and you can really taste the quality of the ingredients in every dish. Furthermore, the food goes perfectly with the locally brewed Aizu sake, and you can enjoy a moment of happiness with your meal. While valuing local cuisine, the restaurant also adds a gentle twist to the dishes, allowing you to enjoy the full depth of Aizu’s flavors.

Sato Nanami

The shop located on Shiyakusho-dori Shopping Street！

Yamanaka Rice Cracker Shop: Traditional rice cracker “Tamari Senbei

<Quotation: Yamanaka Rice Cracker Shop official websitehttps://www.yamanaka-senbei.com/item/129-1/>

The famous Kitakata City ‘Tamari Senbei’ is a traditional rice cracker made by Yamanaka Rice Cracker Shop, which was established in 1900. The rice crackers are baked one by one using traditional methods, and the slow baking over charcoal gives them a delicious aroma and a flavor that spreads through the mouth without escaping. The ingredients used are high-quality local rice and a special tamari (soy sauce) made using underground water from the mountains, and you can enjoy the traditional taste nurtured by the climate of Kitakata.

The history of tamari senbei is long and deep. Originally, it was created by local families to make use of rice without wasting it, and in the past there were many senbei shops in each town. One particularly characteristic sight was the sight of senbei being dried in the sun on the roofs of houses, shining white. Today, Yamanaka Senbei Honpo continues to preserve the taste of this traditional snack, and the deliciousness of the senbei is brought out even more by the charcoal-grilled production method used by the artisans. In particular, the far infrared rays of the charcoal fire thoroughly heat the rice crackers right to the core, resulting in a crispy outer layer and a deliciously savory interior. We hope you will enjoy this exquisite product while taking in the history of Kitakata.

Sato Nanami

It’s about 10-minute by car from Kitakata Station!

Summary

Fukushima Prefecture is a place where nature and tradition thrive, and gourmet food is one of its charms. You can enjoy delicious dishes that make the most of the characteristics of each region, such as Fukushima City’s famous Fukushima beef, the fresh seafood of Iwaki, the Nanako dango of Shirakawa City, and the ramen of Kitakata City. All of these dishes make abundant use of local ingredients and give a sense of the long history and deep culture of the area. As a tourist destination and a place where the gourmet food of various regions comes together, Fukushima is a spot worth visiting. Please experience the charm of Fukushima through a gourmet tour, along with the warm hospitality of the local people.