
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Niigata, Japan
1. Sake Toba Sushi (Toba), Niigata
Delicious sushi made from fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan, served with locally brewed sake.
- Freshness: Sushi is prepared using fresh seafood, ensuring a delightful taste.
- Local Sake: Accompanied by Niigata's famous sake, enhancing the overall dining experience.
- Sea of Japan Ingredients: Utilizing seafood directly from the Sea of Japan gives the sushi a unique flavor.
2. Niigata Ramen (Ramen-ya Miyako), Niigata
Slurp down a bowl of hearty noodles in a rich chicken broth, topped with tender pork and unique corn.
- Creamy Broth: Creamy broth made from chicken bones gives the ramen its distinctive taste.
- Tender Pork: Thin slices of tender pork add a satisfying texture to each bite.
- Unique Corn Topping: Corn kernels are boiled in the broth, adding a sweet and refreshing flavor.
3. Echizen Crab (Echizen Kani-ya), Niigata
Savor the succulent flesh of Echizen crabs, caught in the fertile waters off the coast.
- Freshness: Crabs are freshly caught and cooked to preserve their natural sweetness.
- Catching Technique: Echizen crabs are raised in special traps, allowing them to develop a robust flavor.
- Traditional Preparation: Crabs are steamed or boiled using traditional cooking methods.
4. Wanko Soba (Soba-ya Wanko Soba), Niigata
Sample multiple servings of handmade buckwheat noodles in a light dashi broth, paired with fresh vegetables.
- Handmade Noodles: Thin, delicate noodles are made fresh daily using traditional techniques.
- Light Broth: A light dashi broth allows the flavors of the vegetables to shine.
- Multiple Servings: Diners can enjoy multiple servings, reflecting Niigata's casual and welcoming dining culture.
5. Miyako Maki (Tsubame), Niigata
Savor a unique maki roll filled with Niigata's famous rice, crab meat, and avocado.
- Fresh Rice: Maki rolls are made using freshly cooked rice from Niigata.
- Crab Meat: The use of succulent Echizen crab meat elevates the taste of the maki.
- Avocado Filling: Avocado adds a creamy and refreshing texture to each bite.
6. Niigata Sushi (Sushidokoro Hanakatsura), Niigata
Indulge in a variety of sushi made from fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan.
- Fresh Seafood: Sushi is prepared using fresh seafood, ensuring a delightful taste.
- Traditional Techniques: Sushi is made using traditional techniques, preserving its authenticity.
- Variety of Choices: Offering a wide selection of sushi allows diners to try different flavors.
7. Niigata-style Tempura (Tempura Tetsu), Niigata
Crispy and light tempura batter surrounds fresh seafood and vegetables, served with a soy dipping sauce.
- Light Batter: Tempura batter is light and crispy, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine.
- Fresh Ingredients: Only the freshest seafood and vegetables are used for tempura.
- Soy Dipping Sauce: A traditional soy dipping sauce enhances the flavors of the tempura.
8. Niigata Udon (Udon noodle shop), Niigata
Savor thick and chewy udon noodles in a rich dashi broth, topped with tempura or grated yam.
- Thick and Chewy Noodles: Udon noodles are thick and chewy, providing a satisfying bite.
- Rich Broth: A rich dashi broth gives the udon noodles their distinctive flavor.
- Toppings: Tempura or grated yam toppings add texture and flavor to the dish.
9. Niigata-style Curry (Curry House CoCo ICHIBANA), Niigata
Indulge in a hearty curry made with local ingredients and spices, served over rice.
- Local Ingredients: Curry is made using locally sourced vegetables and meats.
- Spices: A unique blend of spices gives Niigata's curry a distinct flavor profile.
- Hearty Serving: Curry is served in a large bowl, perfect for a filling meal.
10. Sakuraebi Tempura (Tempura Sasa), Niigata
Enjoy delicate and sweet sakura shrimp, coated in a crispy tempura batter.
- Sweet Sakura Shrimp: Sakura shrimp are smaller and sweeter than their counterparts.
- Crispy Batter: Tempura batter is light and crispy, preserving the natural flavors of the sakura shrimp.
- Fresh Ingredients: Only fresh sakura shrimp are used for tempura.
11. Niigata-style Tonkatsu (Tonkatsu Hasegawa), Niigata
Crispy panko breadcrumb coating surrounds juicy and tender pork cutlet.
- Juicy Pork Cutlet: Pork cutlets are juicy and tender, ensuring a satisfying bite.
- Crispy Coating: A crispy panko breadcrumb coating enhances the flavor of the pork cutlet.
- Tonkatsu Sauce: Tonkatsu sauce is served alongside, adding a tangy and savory element to each bite.
12. Niigata-style Oden (Oden-ya), Niigata
Warm up with a hearty oden hot pot filled with local seafood and vegetables.
- Local Ingredients: Oden is made using locally sourced ingredients.
- Hearty Meal: Oden provides a filling and comforting meal during colder months.
- Dipping Sauce: A traditional dipping sauce adds flavor to each bite of oden.
13. Niigata-style Yudofu (Yudofu no Hiroba), Niigata
Savor a warm and comforting tofu hot pot filled with fresh vegetables.
- Fresh Tofu: Tofu is made fresh daily, ensuring its soft and silky texture.
- Warming Dish: Yudofu is a warming dish, perfect for cold weather.
- Fresh Vegetables: Vegetables are fresh and crisp, adding texture to each bite of yudofu.
14. Niigata-style Yuba (Yubashira), Niigata
Savor thin sheets of tofu skin, cooked in a broth and served with vegetables.
- Tofu Skin: Yuba is made from the skin that forms on the surface of boiling soy milk.
- Broth: A light dashi broth gives yuba its distinctive flavor.
- Vegetables: Fresh vegetables add texture and flavor to each bite of yuba.
15. Niigata-style Houtou (Houtou no Yado), Niigata
Slurp down a hearty dish of thick buckwheat noodles in a rich miso broth, filled with vegetables and mushrooms.
- Thick Buckwheat Noodles: Noodles are thick and chewy, providing a satisfying bite.
- Rich Miso Broth: A rich miso broth gives houtou its distinctive flavor.
- Vegetables and Mushrooms: Fresh vegetables and mushrooms add texture and flavor to each bite of houtou.