This is the specialty of Okayama! The 10 Must-have Local Gourmet!

Okayama prefecture is well-known in the connection with “Momo-Taro”, the Japanese old fairly tale. It has encouraged agriculture and fruits producing because of its mild and fine climate, rich water source from a number of rivers. No doubt the local gourmet has been developed making the most of land features. Let’s walk through the 10 best restaurants to have the amazing gourmet of “Okayama the Sunny country”.

Enjoy Rich Parfait of Fruits from Okayama at Kurashiki Momoko

Okayama prefecture is well-known as the producing area of muscats, grapes, white peaches. Recently, a fruits parfait has been pretty popular in this fruits kingdom, Okayama. “Kurashiki Momoko” is a cafe located in the “Bikan Historical Quarter”, where has preserved the old atmosphere.

The cafe uses an old private house, and on the upper floor you can eat in surrounded by works by Emile Galle, a glass artist on display. You can spend a relaxing time having a parfait full of seasonal fruits. It is the perfect spot to ease yourself with the local gourmet of Okayama on your trip.

Experience the Retro Atomosphere in the Taisho period in Okayama, at Cafe Antenna!

“Cafe Antenna” is the spot to enjoy a delicious parfait in a good-old-days atmosphere of Japan. This cafe runs at the renovated building constructed in the Taisho period, which creates retro-modern atmosphere.

“Izushi Taisho-roman Parfait” is the must-have plate here to enjoy richly used seasonal fruits with cute decoration. You can enjoy both the taste and the presentation. Delicious fruits in a Taisyo-retro atmosphere will make your trip in Okayama special.

So Good to Ask for More Rice?! Enjoy the Local gourmet in Okayama at Mamakari

The name of “Mamakari” came from the situation where the food is so delicious that you could ask for (in Japanese “kari”) extra rice (in Japanese “mama”) next door. That food refers to small fish.

This famous local dish “Mamakari” is served at “Kappo Mamakari” as its restaurant name shows. You can have not only the signature dish of Mamakari, but also other dishes with fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea. Established in 1977, it has a long history and keeps a clean space in a calm Japanese atmosphere. Do not miss the beautifully cooked dishes with natural fish from the Seto Inland Sea.

Enjoy the Amazing Gourmet in a Relaxing atomosphere at Sake Bar Sakabayashi!

Fancy budget-friendly gourmet, not too classy meal at a Kappo Japanese restaurant? Then this is the spot for you, “Okayama Sake Bar Sakabayashi”. As its name tells, it has a wide variety of jizake, locally brewed sake. It will perfectly meet your preference, delicious sake and local dishes for reasonable prices.

More than 100 different types of jizake might overwhelm you to pick one. Don’t worry! The restaurant server will assist you on choosing the one for you. Various local dishes like Mamakari will amaze you even if you are not good at sake. The restaurant is compact with a comfortable atmosphere. Feel free to drop by in a small group or as a solo diner. Highly recommended.

Must-have Spot for Okayama Local Gourmet, Budget-friendly [Hashino Shokudo]

“Offals Udon Noodles”, stirred udon noodles with offals, is famous as budget-friendly gourmet in Tsuyama city, Okayama. Among many restaurants, “Hashino Shokudo” with a long history in Tsuyama, is one of the most famous spot for amazing “Offals Udon Noodles”. It is cooked with large pieces of chunky offals, leeks and bean sprouts.

It is tasted with miso-tasted sauce specially made there. You can choose the level of spiciness, so kids also can enjoy it. Its thick taste matches really well with cooked rice and beer. You cannot miss the outstanding award-winning taste at the budget-friendly gourmet competition. It doen not take reservations, so it is better to keep enough time to line up especially on holidays.

Enjoy Amazing Okayama Gourmet in a comfortable atmosphere at [Hamaya]

Fancy oyster dishes? Okayama prefecture is also a production area of oyster as well as various fresh seafood. Fresh oyster produced locally is used for Okonomiyaki, Japanese pancake. The oyster Okonomiyaki is called as “Kaki-Oko”.

It has only 7 counter seats by the grill iron plate, so it is better to avoid lunch time. Enjoy Kaki-Oko with fresh oyster in a comfortable atmosphere.

Enjoy Bara-zushi, not Nigiri nor Chirashi, the Okayama Local Gourmet at Azuma Sushi

“Bara-zushi” is a type of sushi, well-known as one of the Okayama’s specialties. Bara-zushi looks similar to Chirashi-zushi. Unlike Chirashi-zushi, all fish and vegetables are mixed into rice seasoned with vinegar. It is one of the features of Bara-zushi that some of ingredients are steamed and some are pickled.

Established in 1912, “Azuma Sushi” serves amazing Bara-zushi full of ingredients. It is located in the station and easy to visit. As it has only counter seats, it is better to spare enough time to line up. Bara-zushi is available as a bento lunch box for take-out, which is convenient for quick-visitors. Highly recommended.

Enjoy Kasaoka Ramen, Okayama Local Ramen, at Otatsu

There are many local ramen in Japan, such as Hakata Ramen, Kitakata Ramen, Onomichi Ramen. No wonder Okayama has also its local ramen. It is “Kasaoka Ramen”.

You will never get bored with its light taste of chicken stock and roast chicken. Local ramen should be served the best in its land. Enjoy the local ramen for reasonable price in a classy Japanese style restaurant.

Best for Souvenir! Okayama Specialty Sweets at Ote Manju Ibeya

“Ote Manju” cannot be missed for Anko (red beans paste) lovers. This sweet bun is full of red beans paste ball covered by a very thin skin with scent of sake. It is so lightly tasted that you could eat it up easily.

It does not have a space for eat-in. How about having Ote Manju with hot tea at your stay while your trip? You can also buy it at local stations and department stores nearby. Suitable for a gift to someone who loves Japanese sweets. Highly recommended!

Must have the Most Famous Okayama sweets, Kibi-Dango, at Shikishimado!

The most well-known sweets representing Okayama is surely “Kibi-Dango”. Kibi-Dango is a golf ball-sized rice-cake sweets. It appeared in a Japanese old tale, “Momotaro”.

Why don’t you try unique Kibi-Dango as well as regular one? Visiting here will make your trip to Okayama special.

Enjoy the outstanding local gourmet in Okayama!

Here is the selection of the 10 must-have gourmet in Okayama. Okayama has a variety of sightseeing spots such as Okayama Castle, Korakuen, where you can feel its long history and great nature. On your trip to Okayama, you cannot miss the amazing gourmet brought by mild and sunny climate of the Seto Inland region. Let’s enjoy Okayama!