Fukushima

14 local delicacies to enjoy in Iwaki City! From seafood to sweets

Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a gourmet treasure trove where you can enjoy fresh seafood, local ramen, and regional cuisine. In this article, we will introduce a selection of popular gourmet spots in Iwaki, categorized by genre. We will cover a wide range of places, from famous restaurants around Iwaki Station to soul food beloved by locals and exquisite sweets. Please use this as a reference for your next trip or food tour!

Iwaki’s famous gourmet food! A restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood

Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is an area surrounded by a rich sea, and there are many spots where you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes. All of the dishes made with seafood delivered directly from the local fishing port are exquisite. In particular, there are many restaurants in Iwaki City that serve fresh sashimi and luxurious seafood bowls, and they are loved by tourists and locals alike. If you visit a restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood, you will be able to fully experience the charm of Iwaki. In the next section, we will introduce some specific restaurants.

Urokoichi | Enjoy fresh fish delivered directly from the market

Tuna bowl

If you want to enjoy seafood cuisine in Iwaki City, the first place you should visit is “Urokoichi”. This restaurant is proud of its dishes using fresh seafood delivered directly from the local fishing port, and its sashimi and seafood bowls are especially popular. The interior of the restaurant is bright and clean, and has an atmosphere that is easy for families and tourists to use.

The appeal of “Urokoichi” is its freshness. The fish procured every morning are mainly seasonal, so you can enjoy a different taste every time you visit. In particular, the fresh tuna and flounder caught locally are exquisite, and you can enjoy a texture that melts in your mouth.

They also have a wide selection of lunch menus, and you can enjoy luxurious seafood set meals at reasonable prices. It’s a good place to stop by between sightseeing, or to enjoy fresh seafood with the locals. If you visit Iwaki City, be sure to enjoy the fresh seafood at “Urokoichi”.

Hina Kawatake

The crab soup stock is very effective and highly recommended!

Seafood dishes: Kaishou | The luxurious seafood set meals are popular

seafood set meals

If you want to enjoy fresh seafood in Iwaki City, you can’t miss “Kaikou Fish Cuisine.” The restaurant is popular for its luxurious seafood set meals that use plenty of fresh seafood. In particular, the seafood served in various ways, such as assorted sashimi, grilled fish, and boiled fish, are all exquisite.

The restaurant has a calm atmosphere, making it perfect for families and friends to dine together. At lunchtime, the restaurant is loved by locals for its hearty set meals at reasonable prices. Another attraction is the seasonal menu, which allows you to taste seasonal fish.

Furthermore, the appeal of Kaikou is not just its freshness. All the ingredients used in the dishes are carefully selected, and the seasoning is also carefully chosen. In particular, the dishes made with local soy sauce and miso will give you a taste unique to Iwaki. This is a restaurant that you should definitely visit if you want to enjoy seafood to your heart’s content.

Hina Kawatake

The sashimi set meal, available only for lunch, is great value for money and delicious!

Sakanaya Shokudo Urokoju | A famous seafood bowl restaurant in Iwaki

seafood bowl

If you want to enjoy seafood bowls in Iwaki City, you should definitely visit Sakanaya Shokudo Urokoju. This restaurant is proud of its seafood bowls made with plenty of fresh local fish, and has been loved by locals for a long time. In particular, the bowls made with seasonal fish are beautiful to look at and appetizing.

Urokoju’s seafood bowls are full of volume, but the freshness of the fish stands out in their flavor. There is a wide variety of sashimi, and they sometimes offer different dishes every day, so you can enjoy new flavors every time you visit. The restaurant also has a homey atmosphere, making it a great place for families and friends to come and enjoy.

In addition, Urokoju offers not only seafood bowls, but also a wide variety of set menus and a la carte dishes, so you can enjoy the seafood to your heart’s content. If you visit Iwaki City, why not stop by? You will be able to spend a heartwarming time tasting the fresh bounty of the sea.

Hina Kawatake

The ingredients are voluminous and the fish soup is delicious!

Shiome Station Onahama Gourmet Hotel | A popular spot where seafood gathers

Entrance of Shiome Station Onahama Gourmet Hotel

Shiome no Eki Onahama Gourmet Hotel is a spot that boasts a great location on the seafront of Iwaki City. Here, you can enjoy not only seafood dishes, but also Iwaki’s specialties and delicious locally produced foods, and it is loved by both tourists and locals. In particular, the dishes made with seafood delivered directly from the local fishing port are all known for being fresh and delicious.

There is a wide variety of menus, such as seafood bowls and sashimi platters, that are simple yet make the most of the flavor of the ingredients. In addition, there is Iwaki’s popular specialty “jumbo swordfish menchi” and limited products that can only be found here, making it a recommended spot not only for meals but also for purchasing souvenirs.

At Shiome no Eki Onahama Gourmet Hotel, you can not only enjoy seafood to your heart’s content, but you can also enjoy Italian and Hawaiian cafes while looking out at the sea. Why not spend a luxurious time feeling the pleasant sea breeze?

Hina Kawatake

The “Grilled Sea Urchin and Shellfish Tasting Ekiben” is so luxuriously delicious you’ll want to eat it at home!

Okawa Fish Shop S-Pal Iwaki Branch / Maehama Shokudo Yamako | Enjoy exquisite seafood cuisine at Iwaki Station

Entrance of Okawa Fish Shop

Located within walking distance of Iwaki Station, this restaurant is a famous place where you can enjoy fresh local seafood to your heart’s content. Okawa Fish Shop is popular for its sashimi and sushi made with fresh seafood delivered directly from the market every day, and the freshness and flavor of the seafood attracts visitors in particular. At lunchtime, seafood bowls and set meals are offered at reasonable prices, and you can enjoy hearty meals.

Maehama Shokudo Yamako, on the other hand, is a restaurant that has been loved by locals for many years and is characterized by its extensive menu. In particular, the set meals and rice bowls that use an abundance of seafood are known for being fresh and satisfying. The restaurant has a homey atmosphere, making it perfect for dining with family or friends.

Hina Kawatake

The sashimi in the seafood bowl is thick and luxurious!

Iwaki’s local gourmet! Ramen, soba, and udon

Iwaki City is not only home to fresh seafood, but also a wide selection of ramen, soba, and udon noodles that are loved by locals. In particular, many famous restaurants are gathered around Iwaki Station, making it a popular spot for tourists as well. Each restaurant offers delicious bowls of ramen with their own unique characteristics, such as “Chinen Shokudo,” a long-time local favorite, and “Junen Udon,” known for its chewy texture. Be sure to enjoy Iwaki’s ramen, soba, and udon noodles.

Chi Nan Shokudo | A long-established ramen restaurant loved by locals

A long-established ramen

If you visit Iwaki City, you should definitely stop by “Chinen Shokudo”. This long-established ramen shop has been loved by locals for many years, and is especially known for its delicious ramen. The restaurant has a homey atmosphere and is crowded with families and friends.

Chinen Shokudo’s ramen is characterized by a light soup and a gentle taste based on chicken and pork bones. We especially recommend the softly stewed pork slices, which have a texture that melts in your mouth and go perfectly with the soup.

They also have a wide variety of side dishes, and sets with gyoza and rice are popular. For locals, Chinan Shokudo is not just a ramen shop, but also a place filled with memories. If you visit Iwaki City, be sure to enjoy a heart-warming bowl of ramen at this long-established ramen shop.

Hina Kawatake

The restaurant has a nostalgic atmosphere and is excellent value for money!

Udon Kozo | Exquisite udon noodles with a chewy texture

Entrance of Udon Kozo

If you want to enjoy udon in Iwaki City, you should definitely visit Udon Kozo. This restaurant specializes in Sanuki udon, where you can enjoy the authentic taste of Kagawa. The noodles are made with original wheat flour, giving them a chewy and springy texture. As a result, the udon is chewy and the wheat flavor spreads the more you chew it.

The menu has a wide variety of options, from simple Kake Udon to Tempura Udon with plenty of ingredients. We especially recommend the limited menu, which uses fresh seasonal vegetables and seafood. These are flavorful dishes that make use of local ingredients. The homemade soup that you can enjoy with the udon is also excellent, and the light taste enhances the deliciousness of the udon.

The interior of the restaurant has a homey atmosphere, making it perfect for families and friends. If you visit Iwaki City, be sure to try the delicious, chewy udon at Udon Kozo.

Hina Kawatake

The udon noodles are chewy and the tempura is excellent!

Iwaki’s soul food! Local cuisine loved by locals

Iwaki City has many local dishes that have been loved by locals for many years. In particular, you can enjoy dishes made with fresh seafood at “Isokan,” a long-established Japanese restaurant that continues to preserve traditional flavors. Also, at “Taruzashiki Noriko,” which has a hidden atmosphere, you can enjoy local dishes with local sake, providing a special moment. These dishes can be said to be true soul food that evokes the culture and history of Iwaki.

Kaishoku Dining Isokan | A long-established Japanese restaurant that preserves traditional flavors

Kaishoku Dining Isokan

Isokan, located in Iwaki City, is a long-established Japanese restaurant that has been loved by locals for many years. They are proud of their dishes using fresh seafood, and their sashimi and boiled fish are especially famous for being delicious. The restaurant has a calm atmosphere, and the space has a Japanese taste. The dishes made with fresh ingredients directly purchased from local fishermen truly make you feel the bounty of Iwaki’s sea.

Recommended menu items at Isokan include assorted sashimi using seasonal fish and boiled fish using local specialties. There are also private rooms and banquet seats, so you can enjoy meals for various occasions. There is also a wide selection of local sake, so you can enjoy the combination with the food.

Isokan is visited by many local regulars as well as tourists, and is a rare spot where you can enjoy Iwaki’s traditional Japanese cuisine. Be sure to try the taste when you visit.

Hina Kawatake

Lunch is a great deal and highly recommended!

Stamina Hormone Restaurant Shokura Hiramichome Branch | Enjoy horumon cuisine at Iwaki Station

Entrance of Stamina Hormone Restaurant Shokura

Located within walking distance of Iwaki Station, “Stamina Hormone Shokudo Shokuro” is a famous horumon restaurant loved by locals. All dishes made with fresh horumon are exquisite, and the juicy and fragrant horumon, combined with the special sauce, will whet your appetite.

The restaurant has a homey atmosphere, with counter seats and table seats, so you can visit casually alone or in a group. There is also a wide selection of local sake and beer that go well with horumon dishes, which you can enjoy with your meal.

In addition to horumon, Shokuro also has a wide selection of side dishes, and the “horumon bowl” in particular goes perfectly with rice. It is a dish that is very filling and very satisfying. It is one of the restaurants you should definitely stop by when you visit Iwaki City.

Hina Kawatake

It’s easy to come alone, and all the meat, rice, and drinks are delicious!

Barrel House Noriko | A hideaway where you can enjoy local cuisine and local sake

Barrel House Noriko

“Taru Zashiki Noriko” in Iwaki City is a hidden izakaya loved by locals. The rich monkfish hotpot made with homemade miso is popular here. In addition, the dishes, which use plenty of local seafood and vegetables, are designed to bring out the flavor of the ingredients, attracting visitors.

The interior of the restaurant has a calm atmosphere and is characterized by its Japanese taste. There are counter seats and private rooms, making it an easy environment to use not only for meals with friends and family, but also for business occasions. There is also a wide selection of local sake, and you can enjoy a recommended drink that is carefully selected to go with the food.

“Taru Zashiki Noriko” is not just a restaurant, but a place where you can feel the culture and climate of Iwaki. This restaurant, where you can enjoy interacting with local people while tasting local cuisine, is one of the spots you should definitely stop by when visiting Iwaki City.

Hina Kawatake

The special monkfish hotpot is delicious, and the restaurant has a homey atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy your meal!

Shokusai Minori | A famous restaurant where you can enjoy Iwaki’s best aged fish

Entrance of Shokusai Minori

If you want to taste fresh fish in Iwaki City, you can’t miss Shokusai Minori. Here, they use the “Tsumoto-style ultimate blood removal” method to bring out the best flavor of the fish, and offer the best taste through aging techniques. The owner himself visits Hisanohama Port and prepares a variety of dishes using carefully selected fish.

The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, from sashimi and nigiri to single dishes, with over 80 items in total. They can also accommodate banquets and business meetings, and are equipped with private rooms that can be used by two people or more. Banquet courses start at 3,300 yen for seven dishes, so you can enjoy luxurious flavors at a reasonable price.

Enjoy a special moment tasting fresh fish at its best. At Shokusai Minori, you can fully enjoy the bounty of the sea that is unique to Iwaki.

Hina Kawatake

Although the restaurant is lively, you can enjoy your meal in the privacy of a private room!

Iwaki sweets and gourmet experience

Iwaki City has many sweets and cafes that are irresistible for those with a sweet tooth. We will introduce you to shops loved by locals, such as giant cream puffs that are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, and soothing cafes that are perfect for stopping by during your trip. Why not enjoy a wonderful gourmet tour while savoring Iwaki’s sweets?

BREAK | A long-established coffee shop with a Showa retro atmosphere

Sandwiches

If you want to enjoy the taste of coffee shops in Iwaki City, you can’t miss “BREAK,” a long-established shop that has been around since the Showa era. This shop, which opened 45 years ago, has a warm, old-fashioned atmosphere. The signature menu item, the “Mixed Grill Sandwich,” is served using the same recipe since the shop first opened, and you can enjoy the perfect balance of thick-sliced ​​bread and fresh ingredients.

BREAK is not just a coffee shop, but a place filled with memories of local people. Many regular customers who used to come here in their high school days bring their families, and the shop has continued to be loved by generations. They are also particular about their coffee, and their iced coffee “Passion,” topped with fresh cream, is a luxurious drink that combines sweetness and bitterness, and is a popular drink that many people order even in winter.

It is located right next to the commercial facility LATOV in front of Iwaki Station, making it easy to access. Why not spend some nostalgic time savoring their specialty sandwiches and coffee in a retro Showa atmosphere?

Hina Kawatake

With its retro atmosphere and hearty sandwiches, this is a restaurant you’ll want to visit again and again!

Shiratoya Confectionery Co., Ltd. | Giant cream puffs are a hot topic

Giant cream puffs

If you want to enjoy sweets in Iwaki City, you can’t miss Shiratoya Confectionery Co., Ltd. This shop’s specialty is its giant cream puffs. Boasting several times the size of a normal cream puff and stuffed with plenty of cream, it has an impressive appearance. The crispy outside and fluffy inside are exquisitely matched with the rich cream, and you will be amazed at how delicious it is with just one bite.

Shiratoya Confectionery is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop that has been loved by locals for many years, and offers a wide variety of sweets other than cream puffs. In particular, seasonal Japanese sweets and handmade baked goods are popular, and you will discover something new every time you visit. The interior of the shop has a warm atmosphere, and you can enjoy sweets at your leisure, so it can also be used as a cafe.

If you visit Iwaki City, be sure to stop by. It is a rare place where you can experience the local sweets culture while tasting a giant cream puff.

Hina Kawatake

It’s bigger than I imagined and filled with cream!

Wonder Farm | Tomato picking all year round

Big monument of tomato

If you want to enjoy a special food experience in Iwaki City, Wonder Farm is a spot you can’t miss. It is a facility filled with food attractions, including tomato picking, which is rare in Japan and can be enjoyed all year round, the restaurant CROSS WONDER DINING, which uses freshly picked local ingredients, and a direct sales store with fresh vegetables and Fukushima specialties.

In addition, regular events are held, bringing together the best of Fukushima’s gourmet food, and you’ll discover something new every time you visit. In addition, Wonder Farm also has a cafe on its premises where you can enjoy additive-free tomato juice made from Sunshine tomatoes grown in-house, and the popular tomato soft serve ice cream. There is also a wide selection of souvenirs that you can only get here.

Why not enjoy delicious food and a special experience in a healing space surrounded by nature? If you’re visiting Iwaki City, be sure to stop by.

Hina Kawatake

There are also activities such as a dog run, so you can enjoy yourself outside of the restaurant!

A summary of local gourmet foods to enjoy in Iwaki City

Iwaki City is a region blessed with rich nature and the sea, and is a place where you can enjoy a variety of local gourmet foods that make use of these blessings. From fresh seafood dishes to ramen and local cuisine loved by locals, and even exquisite sweets, Iwaki City has many gourmet spots worth visiting.

In this article, we have carefully selected the most recommended gourmet foods in Iwaki City and introduced them by genre. There is a wide range of options, from fresh seafood dishes that seafood lovers will love, to famous noodle restaurants such as ramen, soba, and udon, and even local dishes and sweets that reflect local traditions.

On your next trip or food tour, be sure to visit these spots and enjoy the delicious cuisine unique to Iwaki City. Enjoying the flavors that continue to be loved by locals will give you a deeper sense of the charm of Iwaki City.

If you want to know more about the gourmet food of Fukushima Prefecture, please also read the following articles.