Shiga Prefecture's Cuisine

Shiga Prefecture is blessed with a rich natural environment and beautiful landscapes that change with the seasons. The region's unique food culture has developed by making the most of abundant ingredients from its lakes and mountains, especially Lake Biwa. Shiga's specialties, such as Omi beef, are highly regarded throughout Japan. Freshwater fish caught from Lake Biwa are also deeply rooted in the local food culture.

Among Shiga's famous dishes are "Omi Champon," "Yakisaba Somen" (grilled mackerel with somen noodles), and "Junjun" (a local hotpot dish). When visiting Shiga, be sure to savor these dishes and immerse yourself in the region's rich culinary tradition.

Here's the natural English translation, keeping the proper nouns and cultural context intact for easy understanding by local and international readers.

Shiga's Top 3 Selected Local Dishes

1. Omi Champon

※出展：ちゃんぽん亭

　● The Charm of Omi Champon

While Nagasaki Champon is well-known throughout Japan, Omi Champon has evolved in its own unique way, rooted in the local Shiga region. Its most distinctive feature is the soup. Unlike the rich pork bone broth found in Nagasaki Champon, Omi Champon is made with a light and delicate broth based on chicken bones or seafood. The addition of soy sauce or salt gives it a gentle flavor. The soup is clear, and the sweetness and umami from the vegetables shine through.

Centered around Hikone City, Omi Champon is served at many restaurants and is loved by both locals and tourists alike.

　● The History of Omi Champon

Omi Champon originated in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, in the early Showa period. Although Nagasaki Champon is more widely recognized, Omi Champon took a different path of evolution, deeply embedded in the local culture. The original creator wanted to offer a healthy ramen dish packed with vegetables to the local people.

In recent years, Omi Champon's popularity has spread, with more restaurants outside Shiga offering this local dish.

　● Where to Try Omi Champon!

Restaurant: Champontei Sohonke Main Store
Highlights:
Located in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Champontei Sohonke Main Store is known as the birthplace of Omi Champon, which has been served since the Showa era. The Omi Champon here features a rich broth made from shaved bonito and kombu, combined with homemade noodles and a generous helping of fresh domestic vegetables and pork, making it a truly Shiga specialty. Unlike Nagasaki Champon, it contains no seafood and focuses on the simplicity of vegetables and pork.
Access: A 16-minute walk from JR Hikone Station
Address: 74-1 Saiwaicho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, 522-0021
Google Maps：https://maps.app.goo.gl/HKfmQnG9gxJCYkLH7

2. Grilled Mackerel Somen Noodles (Yaki-Saba Somen)

※出展：食べログ

　● The Charm of Grilled Mackerel Somen

Grilled Mackerel Somen, or Yaki-Saba Somen, has long been served at weddings, festivals, memorial services, and other special occasions. In some parts of Shiga Prefecture, it is often served as a festive dish during Obon or New Year's, making it a cherished traditional dish among locals.

The dish is characterized by the perfect harmony of savory grilled mackerel and flavorful somen noodles. The mackerel is first grilled, concentrating its umami and adding a smoky richness. The fish is then simmered in a sweet and savory sauce, and the somen noodles absorb the broth, creating a truly unique flavor experience. The rich taste of the mackerel, combined with the light, delicate noodles, offers a dish that is both hearty and refreshing.

　● The History of Grilled Mackerel Somen

This dish is a local specialty from the Kohoku region, centered around Nagahama City in Shiga Prefecture. Its origins date back to the Edo period, where it was traditionally served on special occasions. As Shiga Prefecture is landlocked, mackerel was a prized fish, and grilled mackerel, which could be preserved, was especially valued. By pairing the mackerel with somen noodles, a luxurious dish emerged, allowing the fish's rich flavor to infuse the noodles.

In recent years, creative variations of this dish have emerged, ensuring that it continues to evolve as a beloved local cuisine.

　● Where to Try Grilled Mackerel Somen!

Restaurant: Yokarou
Highlights:
Located in Nagahama City, Yokarou, a long-established restaurant founded in 1990, is a popular spot among both locals and tourists. The restaurant is housed in a renovated traditional building, offering a charming atmosphere where guests can enjoy their meals while overlooking a beautiful courtyard. The mackerel is simmered for two days in a special soy-based sauce, becoming so tender that the bones melt in your mouth. The sweet and savory flavor seeps into the somen, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The noodles, having absorbed the mackerel broth, offer a rich and satisfying flavor.
Address: 7-8 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, 526-0059
Access: About a 5-minute walk from JR Biwako Line Nagahama Station
Google Maps : https://maps.app.goo.gl/c3up7bWaaqSnmWYm6

3. Junjun

※出展：農家レストランだいきち

　● The Charm of Junjun

Junjun is a beloved dish often served at events and festivals throughout Shiga Prefecture, gaining popularity not only among locals but also with tourists.

This dish is a sukiyaki-style hot pot made with beef and vegetables, but its preparation and seasoning are distinctive. Typically, beef, green onions, cabbage, tofu, and shiitake mushrooms are simmered in a sweet and savory sauce made with sugar and soy sauce. Many versions of this dish feature high-quality Omi beef, a local specialty of Shiga Prefecture, whose rich fat and umami flavor elevate the dish.

　● The History of Junjun

Junjun is a traditional hot pot dish from Shiga Prefecture. Its name is said to come from the sound "junjun" that the ingredients make as they simmer, a feature that has made the dish iconic and well-loved. It has been a popular home-cooked meal, especially in the Omi region of Shiga, passed down through generations.

In recent years, Junjun has become more widely available at local events and festivals, where both residents and tourists alike enjoy this hearty dish.

　● Where to Try Junjun!

Restaurant Name: Nouka Restaurant Daikichi (Omi Beef Farm-Direct)
Highlights:
At Nouka Restaurant Daikichi, located next to a meat shop run by a farm that specializes in Omi beef, visitors can enjoy premium-quality beef at reasonable prices. Junjun is a traditional hot pot dish from the Kohoku region, similar to sukiyaki, where the ingredients are simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. At Daikichi, they add a modern twist by including tomatoes, giving the dish a unique flavor. This restaurant is popular not only with locals but also with tourists for offering both high-quality Omi beef and authentic local dishes.
Address: 2-25-11 Imakatata, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, 520-0241
Access: About an 8-minute walk from Katata Station
Google Maps：https://maps.app.goo.gl/soMwtusYqFNGmtKn7

Top 3 Must-Try Foods in Shiga (Local Specialties & Traditional Cuisine)