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

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

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

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1. Yabasake (Beef and Sake Hot Pot)

A hearty dish made with high-quality local beef and sake simmered in a hot pot. Try it at Yabasen Oya, where they use their secret recipe passed down through generations.
  • Tradition: A dish steeped in local history and tradition
  • Quality Ingredients: Uses only the best, locally-sourced beef and sake
  • Unique Taste: The combination of beef and sake gives a unique flavor not found in other hot pots

2. Karashi Mentaiko (Spicy Pollock Roe)

A spicy dish made with pollock roe mixed with miso and chilli pepper. Experience the explosion of flavors at Kinkai, a popular seafood restaurant.
  • Spiciness: The perfect dish for those who love spicy food
  • Local Ingredient: Uses fresh, locally-caught pollock roe
  • Unique Flavor: The combination of miso and chilli pepper creates a unique flavor profile

3. Yufuin Chicken (Steamed Chicken)

A delicate dish made by steaming chicken slowly over hot spring water. Visit Yunessun for a unique dining experience along with their famous hot spring baths.
  • Healthy: The steaming process retains the natural nutrients of the chicken
  • Taste: The slow cooking process makes the chicken incredibly tender and flavorful
  • Experience: Enjoy this dish in a relaxing hot spring resort town

4. Bungo Beef Sushi

High-quality Bungo beef served as sushi at places like Sushidokoro Kanesaka. Taste the richness of this local delicacy.
  • Quality Ingredient: Uses the best Bungo beef, known for its marbling and tenderness
  • Unique Presentation: The beef sushi is a creative take on traditional Japanese cuisine
  • Taste: The flavors of the Bungo beef shine in this dish

5. Yudofu (Hot Spring Tofu)

Tofu boiled in a hot spring and served with sauce. Enjoy the smooth texture at Hakata Yufu no Yudofu Matsuo.
  • Health Benefits: The minerals from the hot spring are absorbed into the tofu
  • Taste: The unique taste of the hot spring water enhances the tofu's flavor
  • Experience: Dine by a hot spring, taking in the relaxing atmosphere

6. Beppu Oysters

Fresh and delicious Beppu oysters can be found at many seafood restaurants, but try Kanpai for a memorable experience.
  • Quality Ingredient: Beppu oysters are known for their sweetness and plumpness
  • Freshness: The oysters are caught daily, ensuring maximum freshness
  • Experience: Enjoy the oysters with a view of the beautiful Takasaki River

7. Tarabagaru (Salted and Grilled Sardines)

Grilled sardines seasoned with salt. Try them at Tarabagaru no Yakata, a restaurant specializing in this local dish.
  • Tradition: A long-standing tradition in the area
  • Taste: The simplicity of the dish allows the natural flavors to shine
  • Experience: Enjoy this dish in a cozy, traditional Japanese setting

8. Usa Jidori (Local Chicken)

Famous for its quality and flavor, Usa Jidori chicken can be found on many menus. Try it at Ryotei Kikunoi for a gourmet experience.
  • Quality Ingredient: Usa Jidori chickens are free-range and hormone-free
  • Taste: The chicken's unique flavor comes from its diet and living conditions
  • Experience: Enjoy this dish at a high-end ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant)

9. Beppu Ramen (Spicy Miso Ramen)

A hearty bowl of spicy miso ramen made with local ingredients. Try it at Ichiran Beppu Ten, a famous ramen chain.
  • Spiciness: The perfect dish for those who love spicy food
  • Local Ingredient: Uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients
  • Taste: The unique flavor of the spicy miso broth sets it apart from other ramen dishes

10. Bungo Tofu (Soft Tofu)

Soft and creamy tofu made in Bungo. Visit Bungotakada Tofu no Sato for a tour and tasting.
  • Quality Ingredient: Made using traditional methods passed down through generations
  • Taste: The soft, creamy texture and mild flavor make it a versatile ingredient
  • Experience: Learn about the tofu-making process at the tofu farm

11. Yamakuraniku (Mountain Game Meat)

Wild game meat such as boar and deer can be found on menus at places like Kappou Yoshimura. Experience the rich flavors of the wild.
  • Quality Ingredient: The meat is sourced from the nearby mountains
  • Taste: The game meat has a strong, rich flavor
  • Experience: Enjoy this dish in a traditional Japanese kappou (chef's kitchen)

12. Hakata-style Soba Noodles

Thin buckwheat noodles served with a dipping sauce. Try them at Kawabata Honten, a famous soba shop.
  • Tradition: A dish with roots in the Fukuoka region
  • Taste: The dipping sauce enhances the flavor of the noodles
  • Experience: Enjoy this dish in a cozy, traditional Japanese setting

13. Bungo-style Nabe (Hot Pot)

A hot pot filled with vegetables, tofu, and local seafood. Try it at Ryokan Shima, a traditional Japanese inn.
  • Tradition: A dish with roots in the Bungo region
  • Taste: The combination of vegetables, tofu, and seafood creates a balanced flavor
  • Experience: Enjoy this dish in a traditional Japanese ryokan (inn)

14. Beppu-style Yaki Imo (Roasted Sweet Potato)

Large, sweet potatoes roasted over hot spring water. Try them at Yufuin no Yaki Imo, a popular street food stand.
  • Local Ingredient: Uses large, locally-grown sweet potatoes
  • Taste: The minerals from the hot spring water enhance the sweetness of the potatoes
  • Experience: Enjoy this snack while strolling through a charming town

15. Beppu-style Ika no Sake (Squid with Sake Lees)

Squid marinated in sake lees and grilled. Try it at Kourakuen, a popular seafood restaurant.
  • Local Ingredient: Uses fresh, locally-caught squid
  • Taste: The sake lees give the squid a unique, umami flavor
  • Experience: Enjoy this dish in a lively, bustling seafood restaurant
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