🕓 2024/10/17
#Gourmet
About Mie Prefecture’s Gourmet
Mie Prefecture is a region blessed with rich nature and historical culture, where a distinctive food culture has developed, making the most of its seasonal landscapes and local climate. Surrounded by mountains and sea, Mie benefits from pristine water, fertile soil, and abundant ocean bounty, giving rise to plentiful seafood, agricultural products, and traditional local cuisine. With Ise Grand Shrine and other historic sites, Mie has long been a hub of cultural exchange, and the food culture nurtured through these interactions is beloved by many.
In particular, “Ise ebi” (spiny lobster), “Matsusaka beef,” and “Ise udon” are famous. When visiting Mie Prefecture, be sure to savor these dishes and enjoy the region’s rich food culture.
3 Select Gourmet Dishes of Mie Prefecture
Ise Ebi (Spiny Lobster)
● The Appeal of Ise Ebi
Ise ebi (spiny lobster) is a premium ingredient admired for its beautiful appearance, luxurious impression, and sweet, firm texture. Its distinctive crimson shell and large body make it a symbol of “premium cuisine” in Japan. In particular, it carries strong associations with longevity and good fortune, making it an indispensable ingredient for celebratory occasions such as weddings and New Year’s feasts.
The greatest appeal lies in its texture and flavor. The flesh is translucent, and the fresher it is, the more you can enjoy its bouncy, springy texture. The meat has an elegant sweetness, and the more you chew, the more the umami spreads throughout your mouth.
● The History of Ise Ebi
In Japan, Ise ebi has long been treated as a symbol of “longevity” and “prosperity.” As such, it frequently appears at special occasions like weddings and New Year’s celebratory feasts, playing an important role in traditional Japanese cuisine.
● Where to Eat Ise Ebi!
- Restaurant: Yamatoan Kuroishi
- Appeal:
Yamatoan Kuroishi is a restaurant specializing in high-quality seafood, located in a quiet residential area of Ise. It takes particular pride in its Ise ebi dishes, offering a rich menu. From classic preparations such as sashimi, miso hotpot, and salt-grilled, to luxurious dishes like “onigawara-yaki” (demon tile grilling), butter grilling, and “gusoku-ni” (stewed in white miso), every dish brings out the best of Ise ebi. The set meals and multi-course menus featuring an array of Ise ebi dishes are perfect for those seeking an indulgent dining experience. - Access: 730m from Ujiyamada Station
- Address: 125-2 Yamato-cho, Ise, Mie 516-0032
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6vUuECaxN58cpvaL7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Matsusaka Beef
● The Appeal of Matsusaka Beef
Matsusaka beef is counted among Japan’s “Three Great Wagyu” and is one of the most highly regarded premium black wagyu cattle in the world. Raised in the area centered around Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, this beef is renowned for its rich flavor and exceptional texture. The result of meticulous breeding management and years of careful nurturing, its taste is highly valued by food connoisseurs worldwide.
The most distinctive feature is its beautiful marbling. The fine, evenly distributed fat throughout the meat not only creates a luxurious appearance but also produces a melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor when eaten. With the fat spread uniformly, the sweetness and umami of the meat fill the mouth the moment you bite into it, delivering an incredibly rich dining experience.
● The History of Matsusaka Beef
The history of Matsusaka beef dates back to the mid-Edo period. At that time, cattle in the area around Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, were raised for agricultural use. However, in the Meiji period, as demand for beef increased, farming shifted from agricultural cattle to beef cattle. Matsusaka beef breeding developed through particularly meticulous management and unique techniques, establishing the technology to produce high-quality beef.
● Where to Eat Matsusaka Beef!
- Restaurant: Wadakin
- Appeal:
Wadakin, founded in 1878 (Meiji 11), is the city’s most prestigious long-established restaurant specializing in original Matsusaka beef. Its signature dish, “Suki-yaki,” features a dedicated nakai (attendant) who carefully grills the finest Matsusaka beef right before your eyes, finishing it to perfection with a secret rich sauce and generous amounts of sugar. Enjoying the traditional cooking method that brings out the umami of premium Matsusaka beef in a stately setting steeped in history — this is the great appeal of Wadakin. For those seeking a special dining experience, Wadakin is the ideal destination for a luxurious and memorable time. - Address: 1878 Naka-machi, Matsusaka, Mie 515-0083
- Access: 10-minute walk from Matsusaka Station on the JR Kisei Main Line
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bs36QubkR9ERBhKA8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Ise Udon
● The Appeal of Ise Udon
Ise udon is not only beloved by the local people but is also extremely popular among tourists visiting Ise Grand Shrine. There are many Ise udon specialty restaurants near the shrine, and it has become a tradition to stop by for a bowl after paying a visit.
The most distinctive feature is the “extra-thick and soft” noodles, unlike udon found in other regions. Ise udon noodles are boiled slowly for an extended period, resulting in a softness so tender they practically melt in your mouth. Thicker than regular udon, the noodles offer a satisfying chewy texture while also providing a uniquely comforting softness.
● The History of Ise Udon
It is believed to have developed as a simple meal served to pilgrims visiting Ise Grand Shrine. Since ancient times, soft noodles that were easy to digest were preferred by travelers weary from long journeys. For this reason, Ise udon has become deeply rooted in the local food culture as “a comforting dish to restore the body after a pilgrimage.”
● Where to Eat Ise Udon!
- Restaurant: Yamaguchi-ya
- Appeal:
Yamaguchi-ya is a long-established restaurant founded in the early Showa period, frequented not only by local residents but also by numerous celebrities. Now in its third generation, the owner preserves the unchanged recipe using house-made noodles and a secret sauce, continuing to be loved by many for years. The menu ranges from simple Ise udon to luxurious versions featuring slowly simmered Matsusaka beef tendon — all of which are exceptional. When visiting Ise, be sure to taste Yamaguchi-ya’s signature dishes and savor the tradition and flavor. - Address: 1-4-23 Miyago, Ise, Mie 516-0072
- Access: 251m from Ise-shi Station
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wpbpL9sKQPtuAYBGA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy