Wakayama Food Guide: Best Dishes and 10 Local Eateries

The Local Specialties of Wakayama

Wakayama boasts historic sites and breathtaking scenery that attract many visitors.

Our Wakayama food guide introduces must-try dishes to savor while exploring the region, along with recommended eateries to enjoy them.

Wakayama Food Guide

Wakayama Ramen
1. Ide Shoten
2. Marutaya Burakuri-cho
3. Honke Arochi
4. Masayoshi
5. Yamatame Shokudo
6. Marubi Shoten
Nare-zushi
7. Yasuke Sushi
Mehari-zushi
8. Mehariya Wakayama
Kue-nabe
9. Guan Honten
Green Soft Cream
10. Green Corner Tsukijibashi

Wakayama's Diverse Food Scene

Wakayama is known for three major specialties: Wakayama ramen, nare-zushi, and mehari-zushi. Among these, ramen is the most popular and can be enjoyed at numerous restaurants throughout Wakayama City.

Nare-zushi and mehari-zushi are primarily found in the rural areas. Additionally, kue-nabe (grouper hot pot) and green soft (soft-serve ice cream) are also recognized as local specialties.

Wakayama Ramen

There are two types of Wakayama ramen, distinguished by their pork broth mixed with soy sauce: light and rich.

Here’s a list of eateries where you can enjoy them.

1. Ide Shoten

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Ide Shoten gained national fame after appearing on television in 1998. Their pork broth, known as Ide-style, is popular for its light and mellow flavor.

The noodles are straight and thin, perfectly complementing the creamy broth.

When Ide Shoten opened a location at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, they set a record by serving an average of 893 bowls of ramen per day.

Ide Shoten
Address: Wakayama City, Tanaka-machi 4-84
Business Hours: 11:30 - 22:00
Closed on Thursdays
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000110959/

2. Marutaya Burakuri-cho

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Marutaya operates four restaurants in Wakayama Prefecture, with one located in Burakuri-cho, Wakayama City.

The Iwade Honten, the main branch in Iwade City, is particularly renowned and was featured in the Kyoto/Osaka/Wakayama edition of the Michelin Guide 2022.

Their signature dish is chuka soba, made with a broth that is simmered for over eight hours. The rich soup, combined with homemade char siu made from sangen pork belly, is exceptional.

Marutaya Burakuri-cho
Address: Wakayama City, Kitashin 5-35-1
Business Hours: 11:30 - 15:00/17:00 - 2:00
Closed on Mondays. If it happens to be a national holiday, Marutaya will be closed on the next day.
Official Site: https://www.chukasoba.com/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001151237/

3. Honke Arochi

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Honke Arochi boasts over 60 years of history and is located just a 9-minute walk from Wakayama Station (JR Hanwa Line).

Chuka soba, their popular dish, is celebrated for its light pork broth.

The smooth-tasting ramen is perfect for a late-night meal after a night of drinking.

Honke Arochi
Address: Wakayama City, Tomoda-cho 2-50
Business Hours: 17:30 - 3:00
Closed on Sundays
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000110958/

4. Masayoshi

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

From Musota Station (JR Hanwa Line), it is a 20-minute walk to the ramen restaurant Masayoshi.

The eatery moved to its current location in 2018, giving it a fresh and modern ambiance.

Masayoshi is known for its creamy broth and noodles that have the perfect texture. The smooth flavor of the soup lingers delightfully until the very last drop.

Masayoshi
Address: Wakayama, Nougawa 591-1
Business Hours: 11:00 - 21:00
Closed on Thursdays and the third Wednesday of the month.
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000502246/

5. Yamatame Shokudo

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Yamatame Shokudo is just a 6-minute walk from Wakayamashi Station (Nankai Electric Railway).

This eatery serves a limited number of about 150 bowls of ramen per day, closing as soon as the soup runs out.

Their popular chuka soba features a rich, flavorful broth paired with thick, chewy noodles, making it perfect for those seeking a hearty ramen experience.

Yamatame Shokudo
Address: Wakayama City, Fuku-machi 12
Business Hours: 11:00 - 17:00
Yamatane will be closed as soon as the soup runs out.
Also closed on Sundays and National Holidays.
Official Site: https://site.locaop.jp/VygMQ
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000111041/

6. Marubi Shoten

Picture courtesy ofHot Pepper Gourmet

Marubi Shoten is located on the first basement floor of Wakayama Mio, a shopping mall adjacent to JR Wakayama Station.

With convenient access and opening at 10:00, it’s an ideal spot for those seeking an early lunch.

Their chuka soba features a flavorful broth made from both pork and chicken. Additionally, they serve tsuke-men from 15:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Marubi Shoten
Address: Wakayama City, Misono-cho 5-61, Wakayama Mio 1st Basement Floor
Business Hours: 11:00 - 22:00
Marubi will be closed on an irregular schedule. It will also be closed in accordance with Wakayama Mio.
Official Site: https://www.wakayama-mio.co.jp/shop/index.php?shopId=8
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001024040/

Nare-zushi

Nare-zushi consists of rice topped with salted fish, such as mackerel, and wrapped in leaves.

The Wakayama version, one of Japan's three major types of nare-zushi, has been a local specialty for over 800 years.

7. Yasuke Sushi

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

The name of this eatery, established in 1882, is said to originate from its founder, Yasuke.

It is located a 10-minute walk from Wakayamashi Station (Nankai Electric Railway) and a 15-minute drive from JR Wakayama Station.

While saury, cutlass fish, and sweetfish are occasionally used, Yasuke remains committed to the traditional use of mackerel. This is the place to experience authentic nare-zushi.

Yasuke Sushi
Address: Wakayama City, Hon-machi 4-31
Business Hours: 11:00 - 21:00
Closed on an Wednesdays
Official Site: http://www5.plala.or.jp/yasuke/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000110955/

Mehari-zushi

Mehari-zushi, which consists of rice wrapped in salted leaf mustard, is another local specialty of Wakayama.

Legend has it that the name derives from this dish being an eye (me)-opener (hari).

You can enjoy mehari-zushi at the following eatery in Wakayama City.

8. Mehariya Wakayama

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Mehariya Wakayama is just a 5-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station.

Dishes are prepared fresh after an order is placed, ensuring that customers enjoy them at their best.

A popular offering is the mehari teishoku, a set meal that includes four pieces of mehari-zushi, grated yam, dried sardines, and a choice of pork or wakame miso soup.

Additionally, there are set menus that include kushi-katsu or oden.

Mehariya Wakayama
Address: Wakayama City, Ohda 2-14-9, Ohda Building 103
Business Hours:
Weekdays 11:00 - 14:30/17:00 - 22:00
Weekends and National Holidays 11:00 - 15:00/17:00 - 22:00
Closed on Mondays. There are no closed days during the Golden Week, Obon, and the end of the year.
Official Site: http://www.mehariya.co.jp/index.html
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001123165/

Kue-nabe

Kue (longtooth grouper) is considered a rare delicacy, known for its elegant, light flavor.

Kue-nabe, a hot pot featuring vegetables and mushrooms along with the fish, is a local specialty in the Shirahama district. You can enjoy this dish at the following eatery in Wakayama City.

9. Guan Honten

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Guan Honten is a 16-minute walk from Wakayamashi Station (Nankai Electric Railway).

They offer a range of Japanese dishes, including kue shabu-shabu, sashimi, tempura, and soba.

Among the various course menus, the kue-nabe course is a must-try. It includes kue-nabe, sashimi, soba, rice porridge, and dessert, allowing customers to experience a variety of kue preparations.

Guan Honten
Address: Wakayama City, Juichiban-cho 22
Business Hours: 11:30 - 14:30/17:00 - 22:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Official Site: https://guanhonten.owst.jp/en/
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ003671958/

Green Soft

Green soft, recognizable by its duck logo, is a matcha-flavored soft-serve ice cream.

It gained nationwide popularity after being featured in the anime Summer Time Rendering.

You can purchase this ice cream online, at supermarkets in Wakayama City, or at the eatery mentioned below.

10. Green Corner Tsukijibashi

Picture courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet

Green Corner operates several ramen restaurants in Wakayama City.

The Tsukijibashi branch, located near Wakayamashi Station (Nankai Electric Railway), is situated within a building painted in green and yellow.

This eatery offers green soft for dessert, making it a perfect choice after enjoying their ramen or tendon.

Green Corner Tsukijibashi
Address: Wakayama City, Funazu-cho 1-1
Business Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 (The time is subject to change.)
Green Corner will be closed on an irregular schedule.
Official Site: http://gyokurin-en.co.jp/shopinfo.html
Hot Pepper Gourmet: https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000628924/

Try the Unique Wakayama Dishes

Wakayama is home to a variety of special dishes, including Wakayama ramen, nare-zushi, mehari-zushi, kue-nabe, and green soft.

If you're wondering what to eat in Wakayama, use this food guide as a reference and visit some local eateries.

Main image courtesy of Hot Pepper Gourmet
Written by Cakutama Editorial Team