Utsunomiya Food Guide: Top 10 Spots for Gyoza, Yakisoba, and Desserts

Utsunomiya: A Foodie's Paradise near Tokyo

Utsunomiya, a city in Tochigi Prefecture easily accessible from Tokyo, is known for its vibrant food culture.

The most famous dish is Utsunomiya gyoza, potstickers with a tasty filling of vegetables and minced meat. This signature dish originated when the 14th Division of the Japanese Imperial Army, stationed in Manchuria during the 1930s, spread gyoza they had eaten locally upon returning to their headquarters in Utsunomiya.

Additionally, you must try kabuto-age, which is a deep-fried half chicken, the B-grade gourmet classic Utsunomiya yakisoba (fried noodles), and the brand wagyu Utsunomiya beef, known for its exquisite taste—all sure to make your mouth water!

Utsunomiya is also famous for its delicious strawberries and parfaits, as well as for its many attractive bars that serve exquisite cocktails.

Utsunomiya Gourmet Guide

Utsunomiya's History and Features
Utsunomiya Gyoza Restaurants
1. Kirasse Main Store
2. Gyoza Specialty Store Masashi
3. 365 GYOZA BAR Utsunomiya Station
Kabuto-age
4. Aburi Gin
5. Miyoshiya Symbol Road Branch
Yakisoba (Fried Noodle and Vegetable Cuisine)
6. Yakisoba Izakaya Suzuya
7. Ishidaya Yakisoba Store
Yakiniku (Grilled Cuisine)
8. Sumibi Yakiniku Otsuka Utsunomiya Branch
Cocktails
9. Pipe no Kemuri Ikegamicho Main Store
Strawberry Desserts
10. Fruit Dining Palette Paseo Branch

About the Charms of Utsunomiya

Photo by PIXTA

Utsunomiya, the capital city of Tochigi Prefecture, is the largest city in northern Kanto region with a population of over 500,000. Due to the climate and terrain, thunderstorms are common, earning it the nickname "Raito" (Thunder Capital). In winter, it is characterized by cold northern winds known as "Nantai Oroshi" and "Futaara Oroshi."

Historically, the Utsunomiya samurai clan established their base here in the Kamakura period (1192-1333), leading to the city's growth. During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the lord of Utsunomiya Castle built a merchant district in the castle town.

In the Edo period (1603-1868), it became a post town at the intersection of the Nikko Highway and Koshu Kaido. Thus, Utsunomiya thrived as an important transportation hub connecting northern and eastern Japan.

In the Meiji period (1868-1912), the headquarters of the 14th Division of the Imperial Army was established here. Soldiers dispatched to Manchuria later spread the culture of gyoza back to Utsunomiya, linking this cuisine closely to the town's history.

Now, we'll introduce 10 restaurants that feature Utsunomiya's best dishes, including gyoza and other must-try gourmet delights.

1. Kirasse Main Store: Taste the Best Utsunomiya Gyoza

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Kirasse Main Store is a gyoza theme park where you can fully enjoy Utsunomiya gyoza. It is operated by the Utsunomiya Gyoza Association and features popular dumplings from affiliated shops under one roof.

In the permanent zone, you can taste gyoza from five renowned shops: Utsunomiya Min Min Main Store, Menmen, Koran, Gyoza no Ryumon, and Satsuki. There is also a rotating shop zone where you can enjoy over 30 different types of gyoza. In the souvenir section, you can even have frozen gyoza shipped to you!

For beginners of Utsunomiya gyoza, we recommend visiting the Kairasse Main Store first to find your favorite flavor.

2. Gyoza Specialty Store Masashi Tsuruta Branch

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Gyoza Specialty Store Masashi is a popular restaurant with three locations in Tochigi Prefecture.

It is a long-established shop that shares popularity with the famous Utsunomiya Minmin. Particularly, it has many enthusiastic fans among locals, and there is always a line.

The gyoza is filled with plenty of vegetables, and fried and boiled gyoza are popular. The fragrant skin infused with sesame oil is also very appetizing. Their homemade dipping sauce and chili oil are carefully crafted, making it an exquisite dumpling you can only enjoy at Masashi.

3. 365 GYOZA BAR Utsunomiya Station Higashiguchi (East Exit) Branch

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
365 GYOZA BAR is a stylish restaurant where you can enjoy unique gyoza and delicious drinks.

The standard way to eat their fried gyoza is with truffle salt, black pepper, and lemon. They also offer original gyoza such as "Garlic-loaded Fried Gyoza" and "Flame-grilled Cheese Fried Gyoza."

Their cooking methods are authentic, with both the skin and filling made entirely by hand. They have various alcoholic beverages, allowing you to enjoy gyoza as a snack with local sours and cocktails.

4. Aburi Gin: Tasty Kabuto-age

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Aburi Gin is a restaurant specializing in kabuto-age and skewered chicken using Nikko Goyo Chickens.

Kabuto-age refers to fried chicken made by deep-frying half a chicken. It gets its name because its shape resembles a samurai helmet, or "kabuto." At Aburi Gin, they serve freshly fried young chickens that are about 120 days old, cooked decadently in a Chinese wok.

The restaurant has a retro atmosphere, making it a great place to enjoy a meal in a relaxed setting, even on your first visit. Located within the East Exit Yatai Village, which features 16 izakayas, it’s also recommended as a stop while bar hopping.

5. Miyoshiya Symbol Road Branch

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Miyoshiya is said to be the originator of Utsunomiya's famous kabuto-age.

Since its establishment in 1963, it has been the restaurant's signature dish, created from the founder's desire to serve something satisfying to eat. The unique shape features the upper body of a young chicken, deep-fried without the thighs. When placed side by side, they resemble a samurai helmet.

The original store where kabuto-age originated is located away from the station. However, the Symbol Road branch is conveniently just a 5-minute walk from the nearest station.

6. Yakisoba Izakaya Suzuya

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Utsunomiya Yakisoba is one of the local specialties and is also famous for being a B-class gourmet dish.

It is said to have originated from the yakisoba that children enjoyed at candy shops after the war. The presence of large noodle factories and numerous companies producing yakisoba sauce in the city contributed to yakisoba becoming a local gourmet dish of Utsunomiya.

It is characterized by thick, chewy noodles that are steamed and grilled in dashi, allowing you to add sauce afterward to adjust the flavor to your liking.

Suzuya is a long-established restaurant that has been loved by locals for over 40 years. You can eat until you are full at reasonable prices. Its excellent location, just a 1-minute walk from the station, is also a major draw.

7. Ishidaya Yakisoba Store

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Ishidaya Yakisoba Store is a specialty shop that is said to be the origin of Utsunomiya Yakisoba, loved by locals for over 70 years since its opening in 1952.

Customers can choose toppings such as ham, meat, vegetables, and eggs. The dish itself is characterized by a light special sauce added on top.

The restaurant also offers takeout, and many regular customers reportedly pick up their orders before heading home. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the nearest station, which takes some time, but it is a renowned shop worth visiting.

8. Sumibi Yakiniku Otsuka Utsunomiya Branch

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Utsunomiya Beef is a black-haired wagyu known for its superb flavor. In 1972, it was designated the country's 10th beef brand.

Utsunomiya beef is characterized by its sweet fat. It typically has less fat while containing marbling, even in the thigh meat. Utsunomiya Beef is also high in protein, making it unique.

At Sumibi Yakiniku Otsuka, you can enjoy carefully selected Utsunomiya Beef in dishes like yakiniku and steak. They also serve Tochigi wagyu, a beef brand hailing from Tochigi Prefecture. Since it is a bit far from the station, we recommend visiting the restaurant by car or bus.

9. Pipe no Kemuri Ikegamicho Main Store

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Utsunomiya is actually known as a cocktail city, having produced many champions in the National Bartender Competition.
It is said that the skill level of Utsunomiya’s bartenders rivals that of Ginza.

Since its establishment in 1974, Pipe no Kemuri has produced 8 winners in national cocktail competitions and has also achieved overall victory in the National Bartender Skills Competition for 4 consecutive years.

The interior has the atmosphere of a classic authentic bar, where you can enjoy delicious cocktails made by skilled bartenders. They also offer a wide variety of original cocktails.

10. Fruit Dining Palette Paseo Branch

Picure courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
The roots of Fruit Dining Palette trace back to the long-established Yaotou Fruit Store, founded in 1898 and opened the Fruit Parlor 8010 in 1976.

"8010" is derived from the phonetic reading of "yaotou," and it is further reinterpreted as "palette." The strawberry parfait, made with abundant fresh strawberries, is particularly famous, and the retro-style special glass enhances its taste even more.

The Paseo branch is conveniently located in a commercial facility close to the station, making it easy to visit while sightseeing. The Shimonokozaki branch, which features decor inspired by southern France, is also highly recommended. Together with the strawberry parfaits and other sweets, it’s sure to provide plenty of Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.

Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine in Utsunomiya

Photo by PIXTA
In a gourmet town like Utsunomiya, there are many delicious local specialties beyond its namesake gyoza, such as yakisoba and wagyu beef!

When visiting here, we highly recommend strolling around and tasting various dishes from different restaurants, enjoying a variety of gourmet delights during your travels.