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

Kawaguchi, Japan, Kawaguchi, Food & Drink, Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them

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

1. Kawaguchi-style Ramen

Savory noodle dish with unique soy sauce base and tender chicken, a local twist on the popular ramen.
  • Chicken Base: Uses a rich, flavorful chicken broth as its base, unlike traditional pork-based ramens.
  • Soy Sauce Flavor: Features a soy sauce flavor, setting it apart from other ramen styles in the region.
  • Tender Chicken: Includes tender and juicy chicken pieces, making it a hearty meal.

2. Kawaguchi-style Curry Rice

Spicy, flavorful curry dish served with fluffy rice, a local take on the Indian-inspired classic.
  • Local Spices: Incorporates locally sourced spices to give it a unique Kawaguchi flavor.
  • Thick Curry Sauce: Features a thick and creamy curry sauce that coats each grain of rice evenly.
  • Meat Options: Offers various meat options such as chicken, beef, and pork, catering to different preferences.

3. Soba at Lake Kawaguchi

Traditional buckwheat noodles served chilled or hot, enjoyed with a beautiful lake view.
  • Buckwheat Noodles: Made from high-quality buckwheat flour, giving the noodles a unique texture and flavor.
  • Lake View: Served with a stunning view of Lake Kawaguchi, perfect for relaxing afternoons.
  • Dipping Sauce: Comes with a traditional dipping sauce made from soy sauce and grated radish.

4. Kawaguchi-style Tempura

Crispy, lightly battered seafood and vegetables served with a dipping sauce.
  • Light Batter: Made with a lighter-than-usual tempura batter for a crispier texture.
  • Seasonal Ingredients: Uses seasonal ingredients to ensure the freshest and most flavorful tempura.
  • Dipping Sauce: Served with a tangy, slightly sweet dipping sauce for added flavor.

5. Kawaguchi-style Sushi

Fresh, local seafood served atop vinegared rice balls, a traditional Japanese dish with a Kawaguchi twist.
  • Local Seafood: Uses fresh, locally sourced seafood such as Lake Kawaguchi's famous Ayu fish.
  • Vinegared Rice: Made with a slightly sweet and tangy vinegar rice mixture, giving each sushi roll a unique flavor.
  • Presentation: Artfully presented, creating an enjoyable visual experience alongside the flavors.

6. Kawaguchi-style Donburi

Bowl of rice topped with various ingredients such as meat, fish, or vegetables.
  • Local Ingredients: Incorporates locally sourced ingredients for a truly authentic donburi experience.
  • Flavorful Sauce: Features a rich, flavorful sauce that binds the ingredients together and adds depth to the dish.
  • Large Portions: Offers generous portions, making it a filling meal for any traveler.

7. Kawaguchi-style Yudofu

Hot pot dish made with tofu and various vegetables, enjoyed in a soy milk or miso broth.
  • Miso or Soy Milk Broth: Can be enjoyed in either a rich miso broth or a creamy soy milk broth.
  • Seasonal Vegetables: Uses seasonal vegetables to ensure the freshest and most flavorful yudofu experience.
  • Health Benefits: Offers numerous health benefits due to its high protein and low-calorie content.

8. Kawaguchi-style Okonomiyaki

Savory pancake filled with various ingredients such as cabbage, meat, and seafood.
  • Creative Fillings: Offers a variety of creative fillings to cater to different tastes.
  • Unique Sauce: Served with a special okonomiyaki sauce, giving it a unique flavor.
  • Cooked-to-Order: Made fresh and cooked-to-order for maximum enjoyment.

9. Kawaguchi-style Takoyaki

Street food snack filled with tender octopus pieces, served with a tangy sauce.
  • Tender Octopus: Uses tender and flavorful octopus pieces as its main filling.
  • Flavorful Sauce: Served with a tangy, slightly sweet sauce for added flavor.
  • Street Food Experience: Enjoy the street food experience while strolling through Kawaguchi's vibrant streets.

10. Kawaguchi-style Yakitori

Grilled skewers of chicken, served with a dipping sauce.
  • Variety of Cuts: Offers a variety of chicken cuts, from heart to tail, for a diverse yakitori experience.
  • Flavorful Sauce: Served with a flavorful sauce that complements the grilled chicken perfectly.
  • Jizake Pairing: Pairs well with local sake known as Jizake, adding another layer of flavor to the dish.

11. Kawaguchi-style Mochi

Soft and chewy rice cake dessert made with local ingredients.
  • Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced ingredients for a truly authentic mochi experience.
  • Variety of Flavors: Offers a variety of flavors, from traditional sweet red bean to modern matcha and chocolate.
  • Artisanal Quality: Made by skilled artisans, ensuring each mochi is of the highest quality.

12. Kawaguchi-style Dango

Sticky rice dumplings served in various flavors.
  • Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced ingredients to give the dango a unique flavor.
  • Variety of Flavors: Offers a variety of flavors, from traditional sweet soy sauce to modern strawberry and yuzu.
  • Street Food Experience: Enjoy the street food experience while strolling through Kawaguchi's vibrant streets.

13. Kawaguchi-style Matcha Ice Cream

Creamy and rich matcha ice cream made with high-quality green tea.
  • High-Quality Green Tea: Made with high-quality green tea powder (matcha) for a more intense flavor.
  • Creamy Texture: Has a rich and creamy texture, making it a delightful treat on hot days.
  • Artisanal Quality: Made by skilled artisans, ensuring each scoop is of the highest quality.

14. Kawaguchi-style Senbei

Crunchy rice crackers, enjoyed in various flavors and shapes.
  • Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced ingredients to give the senbei a unique flavor.
  • Variety of Flavors: Offers a variety of flavors, from traditional soy sauce to modern wasabi and cheese.
  • Artisanal Quality: Made by skilled artisans using time-honored techniques, ensuring each senbei is of the highest quality.

15. Kawaguchi-style Sake

Traditional Japanese rice wine with a unique taste and aroma from local ingredients.
  • Local Rice: Made with locally grown rice, giving the sake a distinct flavor.
  • Variety of Styles: Offers a variety of styles, from light and refreshing to rich and full-bodied.
  • Pairing with Local Dishes: Pairs perfectly with various Kawaguchi dishes, enhancing the flavors of both.