Indulge in Hokkaido’s culinary delights as we take you on a gastronomic journey through the historic port town of Otaru. Known for its delectable local cuisine, Otaru offers a wide array of fresh seafood and mouthwatering desserts.
From the bustling Sankaku Market to the charming shops along Sakaimachi Street, prepare to satisfy your taste buds and sweet cravings. Join us as we explore must-try restaurants and eateries near popular landmarks such as Otaru Station, Minami-Otaru Station, Otaru-Chikko Station, and the picturesque Otaru Canal.
Along the way, we’ll also recommend nearby sightseeing spots, allowing you to feast both your eyes and your palate. Get ready for a delectable journey through the flavors of Otaru!
Main image: PIXTA
List of Popular Otaru Foods
Seafood Rice Bowl (Kaisendon)
(Image: PIXTA)
True to its seaport town origins, Otaru is famous for its fresh and tasty seafood such as tuna, salmon, scallops, abalone, crabs, and whatever else you can think of. An exotic fare of chewy mantis shrimps and sweet-tasting sea urchins come especially recommended by us. For those who want to have it all, order a large seafood rice bowl as it will be topped with a wide variety of different seafood sliced into bite-sized chunks for easy consumption. Simply step into one of the tourist-friendly stores near the picturesque Otaru Canal and along Sakaimachi Street, or go directly to Sankaku Market for the freshest fish Otaru has to offer!
Hokkaido Food Guide: 4 Top Seafood Restaurants in Otaru
Sushi
(Image: PIXTA)
As one of Japan’s most globally recognizable local food, tourists to the island nation often seek the authentic sushi experience on home ground when they land in Japan and visitors to Hokkaido are no exception. Since seafood is the main ingredient of this dish, you can be sure that there are plenty of eateries in Otaru for you to take your pick of fresh sushi from. Simply look no farther than Otaru Station and Otaru Canal to find a bewildering array of sushi restaurants that will serve your needs well and beyond. You may also wish to consider visiting the Otaru Sushi Street, where you’ll find famous local restaurants like Fukuzushi, Waraku Kaiten-Zushi, and Masazushi. You can’t possibly go wrong with the sushi of Otaru, and as a bonus, all of them are extremely reasonably priced as well!
Ankake Yakisoba
(Image: PIXTA)
This is an interesting dish where a plate of fried soba is covered with seafood-based sauce before being served. It was popularized by Otaru’s Chinese cuisine restaurants in the late 1950s. The chewy noodles and savory sauce go extremely well with cuttlefish, clams, or shrimps …
