
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.