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

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

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

1. Kishu Wakasaba no Oshizushi (Flat Sushi with Pacific Saury)

A traditional dish made by pressing saury fish into vinegared rice and serving it as a square sushi. Try it at 'Misaki', a local seafood restaurant.
  • Unique Ingredient: Uses fresh Pacific Saury, a local specialty
  • Traditional Preparation: Prepared using the 'Oshizushi' method, pressing the ingredients into rice before serving
  • Local Eatery: Serves this dish at 'Misaki', a popular restaurant known for its fresh seafood

2. Kishu Udon (Thick Noodles from Kishu Region)

Thick noodles served in a soy-based broth with tempura or grilled pork. 'Udon Otoyo' is a famous place to try this dish.
  • Thick Noodles: Thicker than regular udon noodles, giving it a unique texture
  • Local Broth: Made with a soy-based broth, reflecting the local culinary tradition
  • Popular Restaurant: Served at 'Udon Otoyo', a restaurant known for its udon dishes and friendly service

3. Kishu Kaki no Miso (Persimmon in Miso Paste)

Sweet persimmons are marinated in miso paste and served as a side dish. 'Kakigori-ya Kazuya' is a great place to try this dish.
  • Sweet & Savory: Combines sweetness of persimmons with the savory flavor of miso paste
  • Marinated Delicacy: Persimmons are marinated to enhance their flavor and texture
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Kakigori-ya Kazuya', a popular sweet treat shop in Sakai

4. Kishu Zushi (Sushi with Seafood from Kishu Region)

Fresh seafood is placed on vinegared rice and served as traditional sushi. 'Sushiko' offers a variety of local fish for this dish.
  • Local Seafood: Uses a variety of fresh seafood caught in the Kishu region
  • Traditional Preparation: Prepared using the traditional sushi method, with vinegared rice and fresh fish
  • Variety of Choices: Offers a variety of seafood combinations to choose from at 'Sushiko'

5. Kishu Anko Manju (Steamed Buns with Sweet Red Bean Paste)

Soft steamed buns filled with sweet red bean paste. 'Manju no Yakata' is a popular place to try this traditional treat.
  • Traditional Treat: A classic Japanese snack, enjoyed for its soft texture and sweet flavor
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Manju no Yakata', a popular bakery in Sakai
  • Made with Red Bean Paste: Filled with sweet red bean paste, a common ingredient in Japanese desserts

6. Kishu Agedashi Tofu (Deep-fried Tofu)

Soft tofu is deep-fried and served with a sweet and savory sauce. 'Ya Shigetsu' offers this popular dish.
  • Soft & Crispy: The tofu remains soft on the inside while being crispy on the outside
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Ya Shigetsu', a popular restaurant in Sakai
  • Sweet & Savory Sauce: Served with a sweet and savory sauce, balancing the flavors well

7. Kishu Oden (Hot Pot dish)

A hot pot dish containing fish cakes, tofu, and vegetables in a soy-based broth. 'Odenya' is a well-known place to try this comfort food.
  • Comfort Food: A hearty and comforting dish, perfect for cold winter days
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Odenya', a famous restaurant specializing in oden dishes
  • Broth and Ingredients: The broth is soy-based and the ingredients include fish cakes, tofu, and vegetables

8. Kishu Kaisen Don (Seafood Rice Bowl)

A rice bowl dish with a variety of fresh seafood. 'Sushi no Midori' is a good place to try this popular meal.
  • Variety of Seafood: Offers a variety of fresh seafood in one dish
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Sushi no Midori', a popular restaurant in Sakai
  • Rice Bowl Meal: Served as a rice bowl meal, making it easy and convenient to enjoy

9. Kishu Yudofu (Boiled Tofu)

Tofu is boiled in a hot spring water and served with dipping sauces. 'Yudofuya' is the perfect place to try this unique dish.
  • Boiled in Hot Spring Water: The tofu is boiled in hot spring water, believed to have health benefits
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Yudofuya', a restaurant specializing in yudofu dishes
  • Dipping Sauces: Served with dipping sauces, enhancing the taste of the tofu

11. Kishu Sake (Local Rice Wine)

Try the local sake made from rice grown in the Kishu region. 'Yamate Brewery' is a famous place to taste this traditional drink.
  • Local Ingredient: Made using rice grown in the Kishu region, contributing to its unique flavor
  • Traditional Drink: A traditional Japanese drink, enjoyed for its smooth and aromatic taste
  • Local Brewery: Produced at 'Yamate Brewery', a well-known brewery in Sakai

12. Kishu Yaki Imo (Grilled Sweet Potato)

Sweet potatoes are grilled and served as a street snack. 'Yakimochi-ya' is a popular place to try this simple yet delicious treat.
  • Street Snack: A common street food in Japan, easy and convenient to enjoy
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Yakimochi-ya', a popular street snack shop in Sakai
  • Grilled Sweet Potato: The sweet potatoes are grilled, giving them a caramelized and slightly crispy texture

13. Kishu Kushikatsu (Deep-fried Skewered Food)

Various ingredients like seafood and vegetables are skewered and deep-fried. 'Takoyaki-ya' is a great place to try this popular street food.
  • Street Food: A common street food in Japan, easy and convenient to enjoy
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Takoyaki-ya', a popular street food shop in Sakai
  • Variety of Ingredients: Offers various ingredients like seafood and vegetables for the kushikatsu

14. Kishu Tofuyo (Fermented Tofu)

Tofu is fermented and served as a side dish or snack. 'Tofu-ya' is the perfect place to try this traditional dish.
  • Traditional Dish: A classic Japanese dish, enjoyed for its tangy and slightly spicy flavor
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Tofu-ya', a restaurant specializing in tofu dishes
  • Fermented Tofu: The tofu is fermented, giving it a tangy and slightly spicy flavor

15. Kishu Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelette)

Eggs are rolled into a cylindrical shape and served as a side dish. 'Okonomiyaki-ya' is the perfect place to try this traditional dish.
  • Traditional Dish: A classic Japanese dish, enjoyed for its soft and savory texture
  • Local Eatery: Served at 'Okonomiyaki-ya', a popular okonomiyaki shop in Sakai
  • Rolled Omelette: The eggs are rolled into a cylindrical shape, giving it a unique presentation