Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Saitama, Japan

1. Kumagaya Ramen

A hearty bowl of ramen featuring thick, chewy noodles and a rich, pork-based broth. Try it at Ramen Kobo in Kumagaya.

Thick Chewy Noodles: Unlike other ramen noodles, these are thicker and more chewy.
Rich Pork-Based Broth: The broth is rich in flavor due to the slow simmering of pork bones.
Family Recipe: Ramen Kobo has been using a family recipe since its establishment in 1963.

A unique ramen variant featuring thick-cut bacon and a soy sauce-based broth. Taste it at Menya Musashi in Omiya.

Thick-Cut Bacon: Unlike regular ramen, this dish uses thick-cut bacon for added texture.
Soy Sauce Broth: The broth is made from a blend of soy sauce and pork bones, giving it a distinct flavor.
Handmade Noodles: Menya Musashi makes its noodles fresh daily for the best quality.

A sweet and delicate dessert made from high-quality Saitama peaches. Try it at Saikyo-Yaki Honpo in Kawagoe.

High-Quality Peaches: The peaches used are grown locally in Saitama, ensuring freshness.
Traditional Cooking Method: Saikyo-Yaki Honpo uses the traditional method of steaming and caramelizing the peaches.
Creamy Sauce: The dessert is served with a creamy sauce made from kinako (roasted soybean flour) and sugar.

A traditional Japanese sweet made from mochi (rice cake) and crushed green soybeans. Try it at Kawagoe's Yabuzaka Honten.

Green Soybeans: The sweetness of the mochi is contrasted by the savory taste of the crushed green soybeans.
Traditional Recipe: Yabuzaka Honten uses a traditional recipe that has been passed down for generations.
Soft and Chewy: The mochi is soft and chewy, making it a delightful snack.

A stew made with taro root, potatoes, tofu, and seafood. Try it at Yumemiru no Ki no Kisetsudou in Kawagoe.

Taro Root: The taro root adds a unique sweetness to the stew.
Seafood: Fresh seafood is used, enhancing the flavor of the stew.
Traditional Pottery: The stew is cooked and served in traditional Kawagoe pottery.

A bowl of steamed black cod served over rice with miso soup and pickled vegetables. Try it at Mizuno in Kasukabe.

Black Cod: The black cod is marinated for a long time, making it tender and flavorful.
Miso Soup: The miso soup used at Mizuno is made from a blend of three types of miso.
Fresh Ingredients: All ingredients are carefully selected to ensure freshness and quality.

A bowl of cold udon noodles served in a thick, savory sauce made from soy sauce and dashi. Try it at Sanuki Udon Yosomei in Tokorozawa.

Cold Noodles: Unlike other udon dishes, this one is served cold.
Thick Savory Sauce: The sauce is thick and savory, adding flavor to the cold noodles.
Sanuki Udon: Sanuki Udon Yosomei specializes in Sanuki udon, a type of udon from Kagawa Prefecture.

A hot pot dish featuring thin slices of beef and assorted vegetables. Try it at Shabusen in Omiya.

Thin Slices of Beef: The beef is cut thinly, allowing for quick cooking.
Diverse Vegetables: Shabusen offers a variety of vegetables to choose from.
Homemade Sauces: Shabusen offers various homemade sauces for dipping the cooked food.

A stir-fried noodle dish featuring a variety of vegetables and proteins. Try it at Yakisoba Chitose in Kawagoe.

Stir-Fried Noodles: The noodles are stir-fried, giving them a unique texture.
Variety of Ingredients: Yakisoba Chitose offers a variety of ingredients to choose from.
Homemade Noodles: Yakisoba Chitose makes its noodles fresh daily.

Grilled squid dish served with rice. Try it at Ikayakiya Hama in Kasukabe.

Fresh Squid: Ikayakiya Hama uses fresh squid for its dish.
Traditional Grilling Method: The squid is grilled over an open flame, giving it a smoky flavor.
Rice Option: The dish can be served with rice, making it a complete meal.

A hot pot dish featuring various seafood and vegetables. Try it at Odenya Kagaya in Kawagoe.

Variety of Ingredients: Odenya Kagaya offers a wide variety of ingredients to choose from.
Traditional Recipe: Odenya Kagaya uses a traditional recipe that has been passed down for generations.
Hot Pot Experience: The dish is cooked and enjoyed in a hot pot, providing a unique dining experience.

A tofu-centric restaurant offering various tofu dishes. Try it at Tofu no Mori in Kawagoe.

Variety of Tofu Dishes: Tofu no Mori offers a wide variety of tofu dishes to choose from.
Freshly Made Tofu: The tofu is made fresh daily at Tofu no Mori.
Tofu Production Demonstration: Visitors can watch the tofu-making process during demonstrations.

A sake tasting experience featuring local Saitama sake brands. Try it at Sake no Yakata in Kawagoe.

Local Sake Brands: Sake no Yakata offers a selection of locally produced sake.
Knowledgeable Staff: The staff at Sake no Yakata is knowledgeable and can guide visitors through the tasting process.
Tasting Experience: Visitors can taste multiple sake varieties in a guided tasting experience.

A grilled meat dining experience featuring high-quality Japanese beef. Try it at Gyu-Kaku in Saitama.

High-Quality Japanese Beef: Gyu-Kaku offers a variety of high-quality Japanese beef options.
Cooking Experience: Visitors can cook the meat themselves, allowing for a hands-on dining experience.
Variety of Dishes: Gyu-Kaku offers a variety of dishes to complement the grilled meat.

A bustling market featuring fresh local produce and handmade goods. Try it at Kawagoe's Kurazono-cho Market.

Fresh Local Produce: The market offers a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce.
Handmade Goods: The market features handmade goods such as pottery and textiles.
Food Stalls: The market has numerous food stalls offering local delicacies.