This is the Specialty of Yamagata! The 10 Best Local Gourmet Restaurants in Yamagata!

Yamagata prefecture, situated between the Hokuriku region and the Tohoku region, has a variety of popular sightseeing spots such as “Uesugi-jinja Shrine” dedicated to the famous Sengoku warrior “Uesugi Kenshin”. Above all, it has the outstanding local gourmet! Full of must-have superb gourmet. Let’s walk through the 10 best must-have local gourmet in Yamagata. Bon appétit!

Try Healthy Snacks! The Yamagata Specialty “Tama Konnyaku”!

One of the must-have food in Yamagata is “Tama Konnyaku”. The name literally shows what it is in Japanese; “Tama” is a “ball” and “Konnyaku” is a “konjac”, which means ball-shaped konjac.

“Chitoseyama Konnyaku” is highly recommended, located 3km from Yamagata station. It has a wide variety of konjac products for reasonable prices. Worth dropping by to try the famous gourmet representing Yamagata.

Perfect for drinking! Cannot stop having this Yamagata gourmet, “Dadacha-mame”.

Have you heard of “Dadachi-mame”, the specialty of Yamagata? It is not that well-known nationally. There is a reason for that. Dadacha-mame limitedly refers to fresh green soybeans harvested in the Hakusan area of Tsuruoka city, which is quite a valuable kind in Japan.

To buy the best Dadacha-mame, you cannot miss “Kigawaya”, which has been introduced in TV programs and magazines. It sells Dadacha-mame on the site of cultivation. Why don’t you try the valuable specialty of Yamagata?

Enjoy the Yamagata Local dish, “Imo-ni” at the Restaurant serving meals from Home-cooking to Classy dishes.

“Imo-ni” is one of the specialties of Yamagata. It is said to have its origin in Yamagata but is widely familiar with the whole Tohoku region. In the Tohoku region, there is an event called “Imo-ni kai”, where people enjoy spending outside with families, friends, co-workers with some stews like Imo-ni.

For those who would like to have genuinely local taste, “Yonezawagyu Oki Gyu-nabe Oki” is the one to meet your preference. Among various regular local dishes, Imo-ni set cannot be missed! Gyunabe set and Beef bowl come with rich Yonezawa beef, which must amaze you. Highly recommended!

Enjoy Smooth texture on swallowing! Unique taste of the Yamagata specialty, “Mugikiri”!

In Japan, there are various local specialty using noodles. For example, the taste of noodle soup differs among the regions like the Kansai and the Kanto, or there are many kinds of noodle such as Hoto, Kishimen, which can show the characteristics of each prefecture.

There are different portions (for 1 to 5 people) of Mugikiri, which can be shared with a big group. Best spot to pop in while you travel around.

Snack-like Local Gourmet in Yamagata! Good for walking with! “Dondonyaki”

There is the word “Konamon” in Japanese, meaning dishes made from some powder or flour. For example, “Konamon” includes Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) and Takoyaki (octopus dumplings), which is widely known as specialties in the Kansai region. In the Kanto region, Monjayaki (a different style of Japanese pancake), which is also one of Konamon dishes. Now, in Yamagata, there is one popular “Konamon” dish as budget-friendly gourmet!

“Maruwa” is famous for its “Dondonyaki”. It serves various Dondonyaki. Best company for your sightseeing in Yamagata!

Get over the Humid Heat Summer with the Yamagata Gourmet, “Hiyashi Ramen”!

“Hiyashi Ramen (chilled ramen)” is one of the regular gourmet in Yamagata. It sounds similar with “Reimen noodles (cold noodles)”, but it is actually different. Unlike Reimen noodles, “Hiyashi Ramen” is a chilled version of Ramen noodles with cold soup. Toppings like sungan (Chinese bamboo) and sliced roast pork come together like normal Ramen noodles. If you come to Japan in hot seasons, this is the one to cool you down.

It also has various chilled noodles including Hiyashi Won Ton noodles. You can try its unique noodles!

Real Birthplace? Enjoy Unique taste of “Jingiskan” in Yamagata!

In Japan, many people believe that “Jingisukan (Mongolian mutton barbecue)” has its origin in “Hokkaido”. However, in fact, it is said that Zao in Yamagata prefecture was the birthplace of Jingisukan. It is an interesting fact since Yamagata is not well-known for sheep.

“Jingisukan Shiro” is one of the popular restaurants, located in the place 7 minutes drive from Zao station. It serves various dishes like Reimen noodle, but its signature one is with mutton. Enjoy the outstanding Jingisukan along with side dishes made with mutton.

The Specialty representing Yamagata! Sweet and Juicy texture Everyone love “Cherry”

Yamagata is widely well-known for cherries. Everyone love its sweet and sour taste. It is great for your snack while you travel, for souvenirs, for yourself… That is why you cannot miss it! It may differ from a kind of cherry, but normally the best season is around June.

There are different plans available, from 40 minutes to 90 minutes. On your visit to Yamagata, do not forget to have cherries!

Enjoy the Taste of Tradional Yamagata, “Shonai Sasamaki”

“Shonai Sasamaki” is one of the local specialties in Yamagata prefecture. It is made by wrapping sticky rice cake with green bamboo leaves. As it does in other local dishes, home-cooking specialties locally developed have different seasonings depends on areas or households. Some of “Shonai Sasamaki” come with dark molasses or soybean flour like a dessert.

Among a number of spots you can buy “Shonai Sasamaki”, “Shonai Bus Terminal and Shopping Center” is a great one to recommend. You can get authentic “Sasamaki” here, as well as Dadacha-mame mentioned above. Must have it for your snack!

Best Alchohol drink in Yamagata! Enjoy it with Beautiful Gourmet, “Yamagata Wine”.

Yamagata prefecture is one of the highly-evaluated producing area of wine. It can be easily proved by the fact Yamagata is also famous as a producing area of various fruits like grapes and cherries. There are actually many wineries in Yamagata prefecture. Some wines are made solely from local grapes. You can find an extraordinary wine here.

There is an ice cream shop next door, where serves various tastes such as grapes, cherries, La France pears for each season. Enjoy the tastes of Yamagata!

Enjoy the Amazing Gourmet in Yamagata!

Here is the 10 best local gourmet in Yamagata of the Tohoku region. Full of tempting dishes representing the features of Yamagata! Enjoy the superb gourmet of Yamagata along with sightseeing!