Aomori Specialties: Local Foods Beyond Apples

Aomori is famous for its world-class apples, but its food culture goes much deeper. Here are some must-try local specialties that you won't want to miss.

• Table of Contents
• Convenience Store Finds
• Vending Machine Finds
• More Regional Specialties to Try (and Take Home!)

Convenience Store Finds

Even convenience stores are full of products unique to Aomori Prefecture!

Grilled Beef Skirt Steak Rice Ball

The Towada area of Aomori is famous for its grilled beef rib dishes, so it's no surprise that you can even find grilled beef rice balls at convenience stores. When buying a rice ball at a convenience store in Tohoku or Hokkaido, you may even be asked, Would you like it heated? After all, when it's cold outside, there's nothing better than enjoying something warm!

Grilled Rice Ball With Miso

This product uses miso (fermented soybean paste) from a company that has been operating in Aomori for over 130 years. The company is committed to producing high-quality miso using natural water from Aomori, along with domestically grown soybeans and rice. This particular rice ball was even created in collaboration with a convenience store.

Miso Curry Milk Ramen

You may have heard of miso curry ramen, but adding milk takes it to another level! A small amount of milk added right after cooking makes the broth noticeably richer. Top it with a pat of butter that will melt into the soup, creating a deeply flavorful broth without making it overly thick.

Fried Sanma from Sanriku

Sanma (pacific saury) is usually grilled, but in Aomori, you'll also find fried sanma served in set meals and sold at convenience stores. The backbone and rib bones are removed to make it easier to eat, and frying gives the fish a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy. It goes especially well with rice and tastes great with either soy sauce or tartar sauce.

Vending Machine Finds

Keep an eye out for Aomori’s vending machines—they're everywhere, and they hold a few unique regional surprises!

Oirase Coffee

What makes this coffee special isn't the coffee or beans themselves, but the water used to brew it. The mineral-rich spring water comes from the Oirase Stream and helps bring out the coffee's natural aroma and sweetness.

More Regional Specialties to Try (and Take Home!)

Finally, here are a few Aomori specialties that also make great souvenirs.

Oirase Craft Beer

Traditionally, local sake is made using locally harvested rice and local water. Similarly, Oirase craft beer is brewed using natural water from the Oirase Stream together with local brewing techniques, resulting in a rich and flavorful beer.

100% Aomori Apple Juice

Aomori is Japan's leading producer of apples. Its apples offer a pleasant balance of sweetness and tartness, with flavors that vary slightly depending on the season. Made without added sugar, water, or artificial flavoring, this is apple juice in its purest form!

Garlic Powder Seasoning

Garlic is another famous Aomori specialty, prized for its exceptional quality thanks to the prefecture's mineral-rich soil. This convenient garlic powder lets you easily flavor dishes without chopping fresh cloves. Plus, it's specially processed to reduce strong odors, so you can enjoy rich garlic flavor without worrying about lingering breath odor.

Tsugaru Peach Curry

Even the vibrant pink packaging is a surprise! Aomori’s Tsugaru region produces exceptionally sweet peaches, thanks to its gently sloping orchards and drastic temperature shifts between day and night.

What happens when these pink peaches are turned into curry? It's certainly difficult to imagine the flavor! We'll leave that part to your imagination—so you'll just have to try it yourself to find out!

Beyond the Apple Orchard

These featured treats are just a small preview of the amazing local flavors you'll find across the region. On your next trip, save room for these unique regional specialties to get the full taste of Aomori!