🕓 2024/12/2
#Gourmet
About Okayama Prefecture’s Gourmet Cuisine
Okayama Prefecture is blessed with a rich natural environment and mild climate, fostering a food culture that makes the most of diverse ingredients from both the sea and the mountains. Facing both the Chugoku Mountains and the Seto Inland Sea, the region boasts an abundance of fresh seafood and locally grown produce. Okayama is also known as the “Fruit Kingdom,” famous for its white peaches and Muscat grapes.
In particular, “Kakioko” (oyster okonomiyaki), “Tsuyama Horumon Udon” (offal udon), and “Ebi-meshi” (shrimp rice) are popular dishes that represent Okayama Prefecture’s gourmet scene. When visiting Okayama, be sure to savor these dishes and experience the region’s unique food culture.
Top 3 Gourmet Picks from Okayama Prefecture
Hinase Kakioko (Oyster Okonomiyaki)
● The Appeal of Hinase Kakioko
Hinase is a fishing town located in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, and is known as one of Japan’s leading oyster-producing areas. “Kakioko,” which generously uses fresh oysters from this region, has earned high acclaim from both locals and tourists alike.
The fresh oysters from Hinase have little excess moisture and barely shrink when grilled, which is their defining characteristic. As a result, Kakioko allows you to fully enjoy the plump texture and rich umami of the oysters. Additionally, each restaurant uses its own unique batter and sauce, making it a delight to explore the different flavors at various establishments.
● History of Hinase Kakioko
Kakioko originated in the 1960s when oyster farming began in Hinase. Fishermen started adding small or imperfect oysters that couldn’t be shipped to market into their okonomiyaki. Later, around 2002, the “Hinase Oyster Okonomiyaki Research Group” coined the name “Kakioko,” and it became widely known.
● Where to Eat Hinase Kakioko!
- Restaurant: Okonomiyaki Teppanyaki Tama-chan
- Highlights:
“Okonomiyaki Teppanyaki Tama-chan,” located in Hinase-cho, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, is a popular restaurant known for its “Kakioko” made with fresh local oysters. Their signature cooking method involves grilling one side of the oysters to seal in the umami, placing them on a specially prepared batter, and using olive oil to achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the inside fluffy. The finishing touch involves topping half the dish with a special sauce and the other half with Andean rock salt, allowing diners to enjoy two distinct flavors. - Access: 2-3 minute walk from JR Sogo Station (along National Route 250)
- Address: 1118 Sogo, Hinase-cho, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/weT5n3q1o7HHFMx96
Ebi-meshi (Shrimp Rice)
● The Appeal of Ebi-meshi
Ebi-meshi is a stir-fried rice dish featuring shrimp as the main ingredient, cooked with a special sauce. Its distinctive dark brown color comes from a unique blend of demi-glace sauce, caramel sauce, curry powder, and other ingredients. Despite its rich appearance, the flavor is surprisingly light, with a savory aroma and gentle sweetness that unfolds with each bite. The rice has a satisfying, loose texture, accented by the plump shrimp and crisp onions.
Many restaurants in Okayama City and Kurashiki City serve ebi-meshi. In particular, “Ebi-meshi-ya” is known as the restaurant that carries on the original recipe, characterized by the fragrant sauce and subtle curry flavor.
● History of Ebi-meshi
The origin of ebi-meshi traces back to Tokyo’s Shibuya district, where it was created at a curry restaurant called “Indeira” in 1955. Later, Tatsumi Ide, a native of Okayama, received a franchise license from “Indeira” in 1966 and opened a restaurant of the same name in Okayama City’s Hokancho district. The ebi-meshi served there gained tremendous popularity and became established as an Okayama soul food.
● Where to Eat Ebi-meshi!
- Restaurant: Ebi-meshi-ya
- Highlights:
“Ebi-meshi-ya” is the driving force behind bringing the “ebi-meshi” born at “Indeira,” a curry restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo, to Okayama. A staff member from Okayama received a franchise license from “Indeira” and began serving it in their hometown, where it became a massive hit.
The signature “ebi-meshi” features rice stir-fried with a special sauce and plump shrimp, delivering a fragrant aroma and gentle sweetness. The menu also includes creative variations such as “Omu-ebi-meshi” (ebi-meshi wrapped in egg, omelette-style), as well as plates topped with hamburger steak or fried shrimp. - Address: 2-53 Mannari Nishi-machi, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
- Access: 7-minute drive from Sanyo Expressway Okayama IC
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/X6Mn1KYkzXyymxxH6
Tsuyama Horumon Udon (Offal Udon)
● The Appeal of Tsuyama Horumon Udon
“Tsuyama Horumon Udon,” the local specialty of Tsuyama City in Okayama Prefecture, captivates many with its unique flavor created by fresh offal (horumon), special sauce, and udon noodles. Over 50 restaurants in Tsuyama City serve this dish, each adding their own unique twist. The types of offal used, sauce recipes, and cooking methods differ from shop to shop, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of flavors through a food tour.
The fat that seeps from the offal blends with the sauce, enhancing the distinctive richness and flavor. This exquisite balance is one of the key attractions of Tsuyama Horumon Udon. A defining feature is the use of fresh offal, which is rich in vitamins and minerals, offering different textures depending on the cut. The chewy offal, springy udon noodles, and crisp vegetables come together harmoniously, creating a rich array of textures in every bite.
● History of Tsuyama Horumon Udon
Tsuyama City has long thrived as a distribution hub for cattle and horses, providing easy access to fresh offal. During the Showa era, the style of adding udon noodles to grilled offal served at teppanyaki (iron griddle) restaurants spread among regular customers, and this is said to be the origin of “Tsuyama Horumon Udon.”
● Where to Eat Tsuyama Horumon Udon!
- Restaurant: Hashino Shokudo
- Highlights:
“Hashino Shokudo,” located in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, is a long-established restaurant with over 120 years of history, known as the originator of “Horumon Udon,” Tsuyama’s signature dish. Their horumon udon is prepared using fresh offal and a special sauce, grilled to perfection on an iron griddle. The plump texture of the offal harmonizes beautifully with the chewy udon noodles, while the sweet-and-savory special sauce whets the appetite. Spiciness can be chosen from three levels — “regular,” “mildly spicy,” and “extra hot” — allowing you to customize the heat to your preference.
The interior retains a strong Showa-era atmosphere, evoking a sense of nostalgia. Not only local regulars but also many tourists visit, enjoying their meals in a warm and friendly setting. - Address: 549-9 Kawasaki, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Higashi-Tsuyama Station
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/j7n2HwtC9nKSrB6ZA