Fukushima Cuisine: 7 Local Food Specialties and Budget-Friendly Eats

Exquisite Fukushima Cuisine Harnessing Nature and Tradition

Fukushima Prefecture boasts rich nature and offers a variety of dishes that let you experience the region's traditions.

In this article, we introduce everything from local specialties to famous B-grade, or budget-friendly, eats in Fukushima. If you’re visiting, be sure to fully enjoy the local cuisine!

Fukushima Food Guide

1. Manpuku: Enban Gyoza Potstickers
2. Genraikan: Kitakata Ramen
3. Tora Shokudo: Shirakawa Ramen
4. Restaurant Kanade: Namie Yakisoba (Fried Noodles)
5. Misawaya: Negi Soba Noodles
6. Tontei: Sauce Katsudon
7. Isokan: Anko Nabe Hot Pot

1. Manpuku: Enban Gyoza Potstickers

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Manpuku is a famous gyoza (potsticker) restaurant in Fukushima City that was established in 1955. Katsue Sugano started her legacy by selling enban gyoza (pan-fried gyoza arranged in a disc shape) at a food stall in 1953.

She learned how to make gyoza in Manchuria before bringing it back to her hometown, where the large, flavorful gyoza became popular.

Hitoko Shiino, her granddaughter, has preserved the tradition by making everything by hand, from the wrappers to carefully wrapping each gyoza. She then pan-fries 30 pieces at a time in a 26-centimeter frying pan, specially designed to fit their grills.

Using a unique technique that involves steaming the gyoza after the bottoms become golden brown allows customers to enjoy gyoza that are both fragrant and crispy with a smooth texture.

Basic Information
Restaurant Name	Manpuku
Address	Fukushima, Fukushima, Chugencho 1-24
Hours	Mon/Thurs/Fri: 16:30 - until sold out Weekends/Holidays: 11:40 - until sold out
Closed	Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Parking	Available. Spend more than 2,000 yen when dining in and receive 1-hour parking validation.
Official Website	https://enban.hp.gogo.jp/pc/ (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet	https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000295783/ (Japanese)

2. Genraikan: Kitakata Ramen

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Genraikan, considered the birthplace of Kitakata ramen, was established in Kitakata during the early Showa period (1926-1989). Kitakata has long prospered as a rice-producing region, with its abundant water and climate influencing the local food culture.

Genraikan’s ramen features unique thick, curly noodles and a light shoyu-based broth, offering a simple flavor that enhances the natural taste of the ingredients. The distinctive flavor of Kitakata ramen, created by using high-quality local water, is its charm and has become the foundation of Fukushima’s renowned local cuisine, now recognized nationwide.

Basic Information
Restaurant Name	Genraikan
Address	Fukushima, Kitakata, Ippongiue 7745
Hours	Mon, Wed - Sun 10:00 - 14:00
Closed	Tuesdays
Parking	Available for 20 vehicles
Hot Pepper Gourmet	https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000101505/ (Japanese)

3. Tora Shokudo: Shirakawa Ramen

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Tora Shokudo in Shirakawa, Fukushima is known as a famous restaurant for Shirakawa ramen. Shirakawa ramen, which originated in Shirakawa during the early Showa period, is especially known for its method of hand-making the noodles.

Tora Shokudo’s Shirakawa ramen is a traditional Chinese-style noodle dish topped with simple ingredients such as char siu (marinated roast pork) and bamboo shoots served in a clear broth. The broth has a light shoyu flavor, with depth from chicken and pork bones, allowing you to enjoy the natural taste of the ingredients without any artificial seasonings.

The handmade noodles are smooth and chewy, which perfectly complements the broth. The char siu topping is aromatic with a delicate flavor, making it popular with people of all ages.

Basic Information
Restaurant Name	Tora Shokudo
Address	Fukushima, Shirakawa, Kurabeishi Takinojiri 1
Hours	Tues - Fri 11:00 - 14:30, 16:00 - 18:00 Weekends 11:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 18:00
Closed	Mondays
Parking	Available for 10 vehicles or more
Hot Pepper Gourmet	https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000101514/ (Japanese)

4. Restaurant Kanade: Namie Yakisoba (Fried Noodles)

Photo by Pixta
Restaurant Kanade in Namie is a popular spot known for serving Namie yakisoba, a local specialty. Namie yakisoba was created in 1955 and has been a beloved dish at local diners in the town.

The reason behind its popularity lies in the extra-thick Chinese-style noodles, the modest number of vegetables, and the rich sauce. The thick noodles, voluminous and chewy, are coated in the sauce, creating a distinct depth of flavor.

Even after the earthquake, it has continued to be the “flavor of Namie,” becoming a local dish that represents the town. It won first place at the 8th B-1 Grand Prix in 2013 and is regarded as a prime example of B-grade (high-quality budget-friendly) cuisine.

Basic Information
Restaurant Name	Restaurant Kanade
Address	Fukushima, Futaba, Namie, Oaza-Kiyohashi Chimeiji 60 in Michinoeki Namie
Hours	Mon/Tues, Thurs - Sun 10:00 - 18:00
Closed	Wednesdays
Parking	Available at Michinoeki Namie for 128 vehicles
Official Website	https://michinoeki-namie.jp/eat/ (Japanese)

5. Misawaya: Negi Soba Noodles

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Misawaya in Ouchijuku is a long-established restaurant known for its negi soba (buckwheat noodles eaten with a leek), a local specialty. Ouchijuku flourished as a post town during the Edo period, with negi soba being a dish you can enjoy in this historic town, along with the charm of the area.

A distinct feature of negi soba is that you eat it by using leeks, typically a condiment, as a substitute for chopsticks. This way of eating makes it a popular dish, even among visitors, as they slurp the noodles while biting into the long white leek.

Basic Information
Restaurant Name	Misawaya
Address	Fukushima, Minamiaizu, Shimogo, Ouchi Yamamoto 26-1
Hours	Mon/Tues, Thurs - Sun 9:30 - 16:00
Closed	Wednesdays
Parking	Available at a shared parking lot in Ouchijuku
Official Website	https://www.misawaya.jp/ (Japanese)

6. Tontei (Sauce Katsudon)

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Tontei in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima is a well-known restaurant famous for sauce katsudon, a local specialty of Aizu. Sauce katsudon was created in Fukushima during the Taisho period and became popular in Aizu as meat culture spread throughout Japan.

Tontei’s sauce katsudon features thick cuts of pork loin, fried to order and coated in a special sweet and spicy sauce that has been added since the restaurant’s opening in 1972.

The cutlet, placed on a bed of shredded cabbage, highlights the crispy coating and juicy meat. This regional dish is loved by locals and cherished by visitors as a true taste of Aizu.

Basic Information
Restaurant Name	Tontei
Address	Fukushima, Aizuwakamatsu, Tenneijimachi 1-11
Hours	Tues - Sun 9:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 19:30
Closed	Mondays
Parking	Available

7. Isokan: Anko Nabe Hot Pot

Photo by Pixta
Isokan, located in Iwaki, Fukushima, offers anko nabe (monkfish hotpot), a winter specialty. Monkfish, a deep-sea fish, is commonly caught during the colder months in the coastal areas of Fukushima and has been cherished for centuries as a fishermen’s dish.

Anko nabe is made not only with the body of the monkfish but also with many parts of the fish, including the skin and liver, that are often discarded. The use of all these parts is referred to as the “seven tools” of the monkfish.

Isokan’s anko nabe is particularly known for being infused with the delicious flavor of the monkfish and the richness of the liver. As a winter delicacy, it is considered a very popular local dish among both locals and visitors alike.

Basic Information
Restaurant Name	Isokan
Address	Fukushima, Iwaki, Tamachi 19-10
Hours	11:30 - 15:00, 17:00 - 22:00
Closed	Irregular
Parking	Available
Official Website	https://www.iwaki-isokan.com/ (Japanese)

Discover the Local Specialties of Fukushima

Fukushima Prefecture is home to a variety of charming local dishes that make the most of the region’s environment. Kitakata ramen, famous nationwide, is characterized by its light shoyu broth and thick, curly noodles, making it a must-try for ramen lovers.

Enban gyoza, a specialty of Fukushima City, is arranged in a circle before being pan-fried, making it undeniably photogenic and perfect for Instagram. Additionally, Aizu’s sauce katsudon, featuring thick cutlets coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, is another must-try dish in Fukushima. If you visit Fukushima during the colder months, you can also enjoy anko nabe.

A variety of other flavors, such as Namie yakisoba, a regional dish, and negi soba, a specialty of Ouchijuku, await you. If you’re planning a trip to Fukushima, why not give these dishes a try?