The 10 Best Places to Eat in Beppu, Oita, Japan

Of course the best known pleasure of Beppu is the hot springs. However, there are many dishes here that one must come to try. Today we have chosen 10 unique gourmet items you must try on your trip to Beppu.

1. Toriten

Toriten or chicken tempura is now a dish that represents Oita prefecture. It was first created at this shop. This restaurant opened in 1927. The creator of this dish eventually cooked for royalty.

This dish was created taking a hint from Chinese cuisine to cut the tougher chicken in a thin manner and put it in tempura batter to fry. Before it had a much more elaborate name fit for royalty.

Now only thigh meat is used and it is seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. Eggs that day and the freshest flours are also used to create this dish.

The specialty sauce and spice made by this shop is the perfect match for you to use in your desired amounts. Come for lunch to enjoy your toriten with a Chinese style bowl of rice!

The volume of the meal is plenty with rice, soup, and salad. Come here when you come to Beppu!

2. Ryukyudon

This is a dish with horse mackerel, mackerel, and yellowtail. These delicious fish are served with soy sauce, ginger, sweet sake, and sesame sauce.

This is a delicious dish to enjoy with shochu or beer and we can also recommend adding green onion and other green toppings to your bowl.

This dish was said to have been the dish fishermen used during their longer times on the ocean but now it is a dish very popular in homes.

During lunch time there is a line for this shop as the volume and taste of fish is highly desired. Meals here start at a reasonable 980 yen!

3. Jigoku Mushi

Here you can enjoy your meat and vegetables steamed over the hot springs. This place specifically used the Kannawa Hot Springs which has the most active springs of Beppu.

The salt in the springs give the dish its lightly salted flavor. It is a healthy way of preparation that uses no oil yet is perfectly delicious.

This shop specifically was open in 2010. Here you choose your own ingredients, watch the staff show you what to do, and begin cooking.

It is a very simple system that will give you a very delicious and healthy meal. You can also bring in your own ingredients to cook.

Next to the dining area there is also a foot bath to enjoy. Come and enjoy preparing your own food over the hot springs.

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4. Gyoza (pork dumplings)

This is a famous gyoza shop. There are many locals as well as tourist who love this location.

On the menu there is only fried gyoza and beer. One serving of gyoza is 15 pockets. They are deliciously crisp and juicy.

Even women can enjoy 2 servings easily. There are only 7 seats at the counter here so you can expect a line but it is well worth the wait.

If you think gyoza tastes the same no matter where you go, you will find out you are wrong here! Come enjoy a night of gyoza and beer!

5. Butaman (pork bun)

These pork buns are made with the steam from the hot springs of Oita and are popular eat-and-go food for tourists in Beppu.

This was a creation of the local housewives. At first they were sold on a volunteer basis but they became so popular that they begun to be sold officially in 2002.

Every part of these buns is originally made fresh and the flavors of the inside ingredients together is something you will find nowhere else. It is a perfect match with the unique bun！

You may choose to enjoy them on the go or to take home frozen. Whatever you decide, please do try this special treat!

 
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6. Seki Aji・Seki Saba

These are high-class fish. However, if you wish to enjoy them this is the place to go!

This fish served here are caught through line fishing specialty approved by a branch of the Oita Prefecture Fishing Association. Here, pride is taken in the freshness and quality of the local fish.

Enjoy 6 pieces of sushi for ￥3000! The fish is absolutely the best. Enjoy the fish on rice for 1950. It is pleasing for both the eyes and taste buds.

The changing meal of the day of which only 20 are offered is only 500 yen. The prices you can get here are due to the direct purchase of the fish. If you are coming with family or a group you can use the half private rooms.

7. Oita Bungo Beef

There are many kings of brand beef offered all over Japan. The brand of beef that is raised in Oita is Bungo beef. The cow must have spent 36 months in Oita and pass special inspections of background and day to day care. If it passes the 2nd rank it is called “Oita Bungo beef”.

If the beef passes the 4th rank it is called “Oita Bungo beef Itadaki”. This is a rare and very delicious beef. We have listed a shop you can enjoy this beef at. This shop must pass special testing to do serve this specialty meat.

If the beef passes the 4th rank it is called “Oita Bungo beef Itadaki”. This is a rare and very delicious beef. We have listed a shop you can enjoy this beef at. This shop must pass special testing to do serve this specialty meat.

8. Jigoku Mushi Pudding

Okamotoya is a ryokan opened in 1875. Here pudding is made with the steam of the Beppu hot springs.

However, Okamotoya is the only one that can officially make “Jigoku Mushi Pudding”. Each shop will use different ingredients so why not try out a few shops?

This pudding has been served since 1988 and is made of the perfect combinations of bitter caramel and pudding. You will remember your childhood with this dish. You can enjoy the standard flavor but also the coffee and banana flavors.

Here you can also enjoy udon, curry, and sandwiches if you are looking for some “regular” food to enjoy before your dessert. Come and enjoy this special treat!

9. Beppu Reimen

Did you know that the popular noodle dish of Beppu was reimen? In the 1950s this dish was introduced by those who came from modern-day China who started a shop here.

Reimen originated in the Korean peninsula and made its way here through modern-day China. It is arranged in a uniquely Japanese style that is loved by the locals.

The noodles can be thicker or thinner and the textures offered by either are quite different. Currently there are over 30 shops that offer Beppu reimen.

We have provided information for the shop we recommend the most. Here they use special flours to create a delicious noodle that is then served with specialty pork and a perfectly flavored soup and kimchi.

Each piece is mode especially so that when the dish is tasted people will want to enjoy the same dish again and again. This is a shop loved by locals!

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10. Curry Bread

Takegawara Hot Springs are symbolic to Beppu and a something you will want to check out if you visit Beppu. There was a bathing spot opened in 1870. It is said that the roof of this building was bamboo and this is why the hot springs was given the name it has.

Here you will find a retro environment with hot springs and sand baths. There are many guests here from other places but also many locals enjoy the baths. Across from this hot springs is where you will find the cafe TAKEYA.

Here you can enjoy coffee, café latte, espresso as well as drinks such a beer. The most popular menu item here is the fresh curry bread. This curry bread is made with loaf bread and curry with potatoes. Your bread will be fried after you make an order so there is no doubt to its freshness.

Here you can enjoy coffee, café latte, espresso as well as drinks such a beer. The most popular menu item here is the fresh curry bread. This curry bread is made with loaf bread and curry with potatoes. Your bread will be fried after you make an order so there is no doubt to its freshness.

Enjoy the Gourmet of Beppu!

What did you think of the variety of food that you must visit Beppu to try! Beppu is well known for its hot springs but there is plenty of gourmet to be enjoyed as well. Come and enjoy the hot springs and gourmet cuisine of Beppu!