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Otaru is a popular tourist city, ranked 4th in the ranking of Japan's most attractive cities (2019 Tourism Motivation Ranking). When you think of Otaru's "delicious gourmet food," what comes to mind? Generally, you'll probably think of "sushi" or "kaisendon" (seafood bowl). Of course, the seafood caught in Otaru, located on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, is undoubtedly delicious, but that's not all Otaru has to offer. As a popular city in Hokkaido known as a treasure trove of food, there is a wealth of other delicious things to try. We'll introduce you to Otaru's "delicious gourmet food tours."

Otaru gourmet and lunch

Give Otaru as a gift.

From the "Old Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
From UNGAPLUS, which brings you the "Story of Otaru" that walked alongside the Kitamae ships,
We will introduce you to "Places to visit in Otaru."

Please enjoy Otaru.

15 Otaru Gourmet and Lunch Spots

↓ EBIJIN Otaru store
↓ Mangiare TAKINAMI
↓ STONE and IRON
↓ Otaru ISO
↓ PRESSCAFE
↓ Otaru Soba Yabuhan
↓ Chinese restaurant Ryuho
↓ Otaru Muse
↓ Shoebill Cafe
↓ Bistro Blanche
↓ Nishizuka
↓ Otaru Triangle Market
↓ Otaru Sushi Street
↓ Naruto Main Store
↓ Otaru Kamaei

Learn more about Otaru's gourmet food

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet Food and Lunch ①

EBIJIN Otaru store

EBIJIN, a restaurant in Yoichi that specializes in Ezo venison burgers, has gained popularity through word of mouth and has now opened its second store in Otaru. Owner chef Hiroaki Akenami is a chef who also has experience as a hunter, and he also runs a venison butchering facility in Yoichi.

With the desire to "let people know the true deliciousness of venison," a shop specializing in Ezo venison burgers was opened next to the slaughtering and processing facility in March 2023. Word of its deliciousness has spread by word of mouth, and there is no end to the number of customers who visit.

The venison used in the pate is Ezo deer up to the age of two, killed in the Yoichi and Shiribeshi areas, and quickly slaughtered within two hours. It is high-quality meat that has none of the odor or strong flavor typical of wild game. After about 10 years of trial and error, EBIJIN has arrived at Ezo deer meat using their unique bleeding technique and aging method, and once you taste this meat, your "conception of venison" will change.

EBIJIN Otaru store

Ebijin (Ebijin) Otaru store

Facility name　EBIJIN Otaru store
Address　2-13-16 Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido,
phone　080-5727-0888
Opening hours　11:00-15:00, 17:00-19:00
Closed days　Irregular
Home page　Click here

Otaru Sightseeing - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ②

Western restaurant Mangiare TAKINAMI

"Western Restaurant Mangiare TAKINAMI" is a Western restaurant where you can enjoy the local seafood and mountain produce of Otaru and Shiribeshi to your heart's content. Part of the restaurant retains an old timber-framed stone warehouse, giving you a sense of Otaru's history.

The most popular menu item is the paella, which is topped with shrimp, crab claws, clams, mussels, squid, and more. Once an order is placed, the rice is carefully cooked one pot at a time so that it absorbs the flavor of the seafood and becomes fragrant.

"Otaru star anise and mantis shrimp acquapazza" is a dish made by steaming locally caught star anise and mantis shrimp in white wine and water, bringing out the rich flavor of seafood.

"Homemade Yoichi Kitajima Pork Prosciutto with Marinated Onions" is a prosciutto made only from bone-in thigh meat and natural salt, with sweet fat that takes over a year to prepare. We have a wide variety of menus to suit any occasion, from everyday use to anniversaries and various banquets.

Facility name　Western restaurant Mangiare TAKINAMI
Address　2-1-16 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido,
phone　0134-33-3394
Opening hours　11:30-14:00, 17:30-21:30
Closed　Wednesdays
Home page　Click here

Otaru Sightseeing - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ③

STONE and IRON

"STONE and IRON" is a cafe bar and hostel renovated from a stone storehouse with over 100 years of history. The first floor is a cafe restaurant that is open from lunchtime to dinnertime, and the second floor is a two-room guest house.

The stone of the stone warehouses that still make up Otaru's unique streetscape, combined with the iron of Hokkaido's first railway, which was once laid in Otaru, create an atmosphere based on stone and iron in "STONE and IRON," which somehow feels like Otaru, yet at the same time feels like a foreign country.

In addition to five counter seats with a full view of the kitchen, there are six box seats and table seats.

The lunch menu offers several options, including a green curry set and a croissant open sandwich. The dinner menu offers a wide variety of options, from those who want a light drink to those who want a full meal, including dishes made with Otaru chicken. You can enjoy everything from a cup of coffee brewed by a barista to a variety of dishes made with Otaru chicken, as well as wines from Otaru and Yoichi.

Facility name　Stone and Iron
Address　2-8 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido,
phone　0134-61-1214
Business hours　Tuesday 11:30-22:00
Wednesday 7:30-15:30
Thursday 15:00-22:00
Friday 11:30-22:00
Saturday 11:30-22:00
Sunday 7:30-18:00
Closed　Mondays
Home page　Click here

Otaru Sightseeing - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ④

Otaru ISO

Otaru ISO is located about a five-minute walk from Otaru Canal, a popular tourist spot in Otaru.

The restaurant is housed in a renovated 114-year-old red brick former Isono Shoten warehouse. Using birch firewood, the city tree of Otaru, and featuring wood-grilled steaks centered around Hokkaido beef, the restaurant aims to offer a fusion of modern Hokkaido cuisine and Western cuisine.

Lunch includes seafood curry and pasta made with ingredients such as sea urchin and king crab, while dinner features aged Hokkaido beef grilled over birch wood.The bar offers a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including craft beer, natural wine, and craft gin.

Enjoy a dish that Otaru ISO is proud of, featuring seasonal Hokkaido ingredients and authentic game dishes.

Facility name　Otaru ISO
Address　2-2-14 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido,
phone　0134-31-1888
Opening hours　11:30-21:00
Closed　Wednesdays
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑤

PRESSCAFE Press Cafe

PRESSCAFE is located at the northern end of the Otaru Canal, next to Kitahama Bridge, which spans the so-called North Canal, in a corner of the historic Shibusawa Warehouse, built in 1895 (Meiji 28).

The famous Otaru Canal is only used by tourist cruise ships, but the North Canal is still in use, with small vessels such as work boats and cruisers moored there. The surrounding area is lined with old stone warehouses, making the townscape of the North Canal very attractive.

The interior of the shop, made of timber and stone from the former Shibusawa Warehouse, features high ceilings, large windows facing the canal, and a classic car that is still in use.

The menu includes flavorful coffee, brewed individually using specialty coffee beans using a paper dripper, as well as a wide selection of sweets such as pancakes. A reasonable lunch is available on weekdays, and the most recommended dish is the "North Indian Chicken Curry," made using an original recipe. The slightly spicy, slightly more adult-oriented soup is addictive.

Facility name　PRESSCAFE
Address　3-3-21 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone　0134-24-8028
Opening hours　11:30-22:00
Closed　Thursdays
Home page　Click here

Otaru Sightseeing - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑥

Otaru Soba Restaurant Yabuhan

Located in a back alley about a five-minute walk from Otaru Station, this long-established soba restaurant was founded in 1954. It's a famous restaurant that you should definitely visit if you come to Otaru, and the charming Japanese-style building gives it a stately feel.

The restaurant is a stately structure that combines the stone storehouse of the Shiratori family, a herring fishing boss, the historical building Gorakuen (former residence of Kanazawa Tomojiro), and an old Japanese restaurant.

You can choose from two types of soba noodles: local flour noodles (produced in Hokkaido) and regular flour noodles (made with a blend of imported wheat). Recommended dishes include the "Nishin Soba," which exudes the essence of Otaru, a port town that prospered from herring fishing, and the popular "Sea Urchin Toji Soba." The restaurant's hidden number one menu item, the "Curry Soba," is also a must-try.

Otaru Soba Restaurant Yabuhan

Store name　Otaru Soba Restaurant Yabuhan
Address　2-19-14 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone　0134-33-1212
Opening hours
[Mon-Sat] 11:00-15:00, 18:00-20:30
11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00
Closed　Every Tuesday, twice a month on irregular Wednesdays
Credit cards　accepted
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑦

Chinese Restaurant Ryuho

Located about a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station, Chinese Restaurant Ryuho is a popular Chinese restaurant known for its surprisingly large portions and unique original menu.

The yellow roof, the red letters of the store name, and the customers always lined up in front of the store are the landmarks.

The regular size of the "Ankake Yakisoba" is a large serving with two noodles. The half size is the regular size with one noodle. The large serving is a huge portion with three noodles. Sharing is prohibited, so we recommend starting with the half size.

What's surprising isn't just the size, but also the fact that there are 23 different flavors of "Ankake Yakisoba."

Chinese Restaurant Ryuho

Store name　Chinese restaurant Ryuho
Address　4-4-9 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone　0134-23-9918
Opening hours　11:00-17:00
Closed　Thursdays
Credit cards　not accepted

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑧

Western Food and Candles Otaru Muse

Otaru Muse was born from the desire to provide guests with a candlelit atmosphere, delicious homemade food made with fresh ingredients, and wonderful music.

This Western restaurant was opened in Otaru in 2009 by the husband, a chef who trained for around 10 years at a restaurant in Toyako Town and who takes great care to prepare delicious dishes using carefully selected ingredients, and his wife, a candle artist.

It's about a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station, heading towards Sapporo on National Route 5. Look for the candle-designed protruding sign, and you'll be greeted by an antique British door from the 1930s that perfectly matches the exotic atmosphere of Otaru.

When you open the door and step inside, the flickering candlelight, the work of the owner's wife, makes time seem slower than usual, and you get the illusion of being in a foreign country.

The name of the restaurant, "Muse," also means to be lost in thought. Enjoy your meal in a relaxed, enjoyable, and sometimes thoughtful atmosphere by candlelight.

The menu is made with all dishes prepared from scratch in-house, creating flavors that can only be found here. They are also very particular about the ingredients they use, and are always striving to provide safe, secure, delicious, and healthy food.

The signature dish is the "Stewed Hamburg Steak," made with 100% beef and pork from Kuromatsunai. The demi-glace sauce is of course homemade and additive-free, and is made by slowly simmering tomatoes and other aromatic vegetables and beef tendon in red wine. Even the herbs used for flavoring are home-grown. The aroma of the sauce, which has been aged and added to for years, is sure to whet your appetite.

The lunch menu is varied and reasonably priced, with options like soup curry, omelet rice, and fried foods. The bite-sized sweet soup served with your drink after your meal is a thoughtful touch. The carefully simmered red beans have the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, and the soft shiratama rice balls leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.

In addition to stewed hamburger steak, dinner also includes a chef's recommended dinner course, omelet rice, and a wide selection of appetizers that go well with alcohol.

Facility name　Otaru Muse: Western Food and Candles
Address　1-11-7 Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido,
phone　0134-31-6300
Opening hours　11:00-20:30
Closed　Mondays
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑨

Shoebill Cafe

Cafe Shoebill opened on a hill in Irifune, Otaru, in December 2020. The shoebill, which gives the cafe its name, is a very large bird that lives around Lake Victoria in Africa. With a large head and a huge wooden clog-shaped beak, it has strong eyes and is known for being a bird that barely moves, making it popular in recent years.

The shop is a renovated old house cafe, and the exterior has a Showa-era feel to it, creating a lovely atmosphere. Once you open the stylish door and enter, you'll immediately see a counter with five seats, two tables for two people, and one table for four people.

The illustration of a shoebill drawn in chalk on a board on the wall is striking and very eye-catching.

Unusually for Otaru, it opens at 7am and serves breakfast until 11am, with thick toast, boiled eggs and unlimited coffee for just 350 yen, making it a very attractive option. After 11am, the food menu includes curry rice, paella, pasta and pork chops, and for an additional 200 yen you can even have a set menu. You can enjoy a leisurely lunch in the calming atmosphere bathed in soft sunlight.

Facility name　Shoebill Cafe
Address　3-17-24 Irifune, Otaru City, Hokkaido,
phone　080-6096-7486
Opening hours　7:00-21:00
Closed on　Mondays and Tuesdays
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑩

Bistrot Blanche

Located in Ironai 1-chome, about a five-minute walk from the Otaru Canal and near the former Temiya Line, there is a bistro that is a little-known local favorite. It's called "Bistrot Blanche."

This restaurant is housed in a retro Western-style brick building from the Taisho era, and serves original cuisine that combines Italian and French cuisine. The restaurant has five counter seats and five tables, one for four and one for two.

The spacious and relaxing space has pleasant music playing, creating a calm atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal and conversation.

The lunch menu offers a variety of pasta and pizza, as well as fish and meat course menus, all with a drink set, starting at around 1,500 yen, making it very reasonable.The dinner course is also very reasonably priced, starting at around 3,000 yen, and includes a choice of a fish course with appetizer, a meat course, or a double main course.

Otaru is famous for its sushi and seafood bowls, but if you're planning a date with someone special or celebrating a birthday, we recommend a trip to Otaru and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Otaru at Bistrot Blanche. The portions are generous, so even young people will be satisfied.

Facility name　Bistrot Blanche
Address　1-9-10 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido
phone　0134-32-5514
Opening hours　11:30-14:00, 17:30-20:30
Closed　Tuesdays
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑪

Nishizuka

Nishizuka is a popular, long-established restaurant in Otaru that has been in business for 45 years. It is located in a residential area a little away from Otaru's downtown. The interior, decorated with plain wood, has a clean feel and a calm atmosphere where you can relax and unwind.

You can enjoy Japanese cuisine made with carefully selected ingredients and techniques, as well as sushi made with seasonal ingredients. The restaurant's concept is to "offer the best possible seasonal ingredients from Otaru without compromising on quality." In addition to the seasonal chef's choice course, which can be enjoyed with a reservation made the day before, there are also set menus that can be selected after arriving. This is a well-known restaurant that is frequented by both travelers and locals alike.

It is possible to

Facility name　Nishizuka
Address　4-9-14 Takashima, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone　0134-34-2838
Business hours　Lunch: 11:30-14:00
Dinner: 17:00-20:30
Closed　Tuesdays
Budget　Lunch: up to 3,000 yen Dinner: up to 5,000 yen
Credit cards　accepted
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑫

Otaru Triangle Market

Located just a minute's walk from JR Otaru Station, Otaru Triangle Market was named after the triangular shape of the land and roof. The market's motto is "Straightforwardly cheap!!"

You can enjoy shopping in the lively atmosphere that is unique to a market, with shopkeepers on both sides cheerfully calling out to customers.

The total length is about 200m, and on both sides of the narrow slope about 2m wide there are 16 stores, 6 of which are restaurants where you can enjoy meals from 7am to 5pm. They offer rice bowls made with fresh seafood and daily set meals made with seasonal ingredients, and you can also have the products you buy at the market cooked on the spot to create your own original rice bowl.

The market is said to have begun around 1948, shortly after the war. It began with 7-8 street vendors opening up in front of Otaru Station, and later developed into a morning market. In addition to fresh seafood such as crab, sea urchin, and scallops, you can also buy vegetables, fruit, and daily necessities, making it a very convenient and popular market for everyday shopping and choosing souvenirs.

Facility name　Otaru Triangle Market
Address　3-10-16 Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido,
phone　0134-23-2446
Opening hours　06:00-17:00
Closed days　Open everyday
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑬

Otaru Sushi Street

Hokkaido has a unique sushi culture that is different from Edomae. As the slang term "Ezomae" suggests, there are many restaurants that use fresh seafood without preserving it in vinegar or salt.

Otaru has a large port and is known as a treasure trove of seafood, a bounty of Ishikari Bay, and is also famous as a city of sushi.The fresh, high-quality seafood gained a reputation, and young people who had trained all over the country from the Taisho to Meiji periods flocked to Otaru to open restaurants.

The street lined with nearly 20 sushi restaurants in the area heading towards the canal from Otaru Station is known as "Sushi Street." Not only do the ingredients here have high quality, but chefs from all over the country come to compete with each other to show off their skills.

Facility name　Otaru Sushi Street
Address　1-1-9 Hanazono, Otaru City, Hokkaido,
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑭

Young Chicken Era Naruto Main Store

One of the most famous restaurants in Otaru is Wakadori Jidai Naruto Honten, nicknamed "Naruto." Since its founding in 1965 (Showa 40), it has been loved as a soul food for the people of Otaru and can be said to be the originator of fried chicken halves in Hokkaido.

The main store in Inaho, Otaru City, offers a wide variety of menu items, including their signature product, "half-fried young chicken," which has become famous nationwide, as well as sushi and rice bowls made with Otaru seafood, various set meals, curry, tempura, ramen, and more.

The fried chicken half has been made with the same traditional taste since the restaurant first opened, with a crispy skin and juicy inside. The excess fat has been removed, making it less greasy than it looks and surprisingly refreshing. The slightly salty seasoning goes perfectly with rice and beer.

All fees must be paid in advance, and if you order additional items, you will be billed each time.

Facility name　Naruto Main Store
Address　3-16-13 Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido,
phone　0134-32-3280
Opening hours　11:00-20:30
Closed days　Open everyday
Home page　Click here

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑮

Otaru Kamaei Kamaboko

Kamaei, a popular kamaboko shop in Otaru that has been loved by many Hokkaido residents as well as Otaru residents for many years, was founded in 1905 (Meiji 38). Now boasting a history of over 100 years, the shop operates a total of 12 stores, including four in the city, six in Sapporo, and one at the airport.

In addition to the red and white kamaboko boards that are essential for celebrations, there are also non-fried kamaboko boards such as "uni board" and "yaki board", and there are many Hokkaido local fans who say that "Kamaei's kamaboko is the only choice for celebrations."

At the main factory in Sakaimachi, Otaru, you can observe the skilled craftsmen making kamaboko for free through the glass, and the kamaboko fried on the spot is very popular.

Our top recommendation is the "Bread Roll," which is only available at this store and was developed by the previous president in 1962. The bread roll is made by wrapping minced pollack, minced pork, and onion in an extremely thin piece of bread and deep-frying it, and is a masterpiece of kamaboko cuisine with a crispy texture, just the right amount of saltiness, and the sweetness of the minced fish perfectly matched.

Facility name　Otaru Kamaei Kamaboko
Address　3-7 Sakaimachi, Otaru City, Hokkaido,
phone　0134-25-5802
Opening hours　9:00-19:00
Closed days　Open everyday
Home page　Click here

UNGAPLUS

Good luck from the shipping town of Otaru...
May the flow that has been protected without interruption be your ally and open up your luck.

During the Meiji period, Otaru flourished as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido.
Kitamae ships flapped their pure white sails across the ocean, traveling to and from Honshu and bringing many goods and cultures to this area.

UNGAPLUS delivers original products that incorporate the history and culture of Otaru, as well as high-quality products from the ports of call of the Kitamae ships, from the former Otaru Main Warehouse, the first commercial warehouse in Hokkaido, built by Kitamae ship owners Nishide Magozaemon and Nishitani Shohachi.

The story of Otaru, which has walked alongside the Kitamae ships, can be heard from this place.

We are looking forward to your visit and have a wide selection of original items that are only available here and make great souvenirs.

Click here for details on "UNGAPLUS" Store name　UNGAPLUS

address　2-1-20 Ironai, Otaru

phone　0134-65-8150

Opening hours　10:00~18:00

Closed days　Open everyday

Home page　Click here