🕓 2024/9/17
#Gourmet
Gourmet Guide to Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture is blessed with a rich natural environment and a mild climate, and has developed a food culture that makes the most of abundant ingredients from both the sea and mountains. Stretching from east to west, Shizuoka faces Suruga Bay and Sagami Bay, where an abundance of fresh seafood is landed. Additionally, Shizuoka is known as one of Japan’s leading tea-producing regions, with thriving cultivation of Shizuoka tea.
Particularly famous are “Hamamatsu Gyoza,” “Sawayaka Hamburger Steak,” and “Simmered Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper).” When visiting Shizuoka Prefecture, be sure to savor these dishes and enjoy the region’s food culture.
Top 3 Gourmet Picks from Shizuoka Prefecture
Hamamatsu Gyoza
● The Appeal of Hamamatsu Gyoza
Hamamatsu Gyoza is a signature local dish from Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, which is known as a “City of Gyoza” alongside Utsunomiya. The biggest feature of Hamamatsu Gyoza is its light, refreshing flavor with a vegetable-centric filling that uses plenty of cabbage. Compared to gyoza from other regions, more cabbage is used in the filling, bringing out its texture and natural sweetness. Some shops also add onions, further emphasizing a distinctive sweetness.
Additionally, Hamamatsu Gyoza is often served arranged in a circle with boiled bean sprouts placed in the center, making for a distinctive presentation.
● History of Hamamatsu Gyoza
The origins of Hamamatsu Gyoza date back to the early 1950s (early Showa 30s). At that time, repatriates from China settled in Hamamatsu City and began serving gyoza at street stalls around Hamamatsu Station. This street stall culture spread, and gyoza became familiar to local residents, eventually leading to a proliferation of gyoza specialty restaurants throughout the city.
● Where to Eat Hamamatsu Gyoza!
- Restaurant: Fukumitsu
- Appeal:
Located in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, this gyoza specialty restaurant is beloved by locals and tourists alike. The shop’s hallmark is its gyoza with a perfectly crispy skin and a light, refreshing filling packed with plenty of cabbage. The garlic-infused flavor is also appetite-stimulating.Served piping hot with an exquisite balance of crispiness on the outside and juiciness on the inside. In addition to dining in, takeout is also popular, and gyoza can be purchased as souvenirs.
- Access: 950m from Hachiman Station
- Address: 1-25-8 Sato, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kk45wQezBVR6jzYu5
Simmered Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper)
● The Appeal of Simmered Kinmedai
The Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture is a nationally renowned region for kinmedai (golden eye snapper) catches. In particular, the “Inatori Kinme” landed at Shimoda and Inatori is highly regarded for its rich fat content and thick flesh. Simmered kinmedai is a traditional dish cooked in a sweet and savory sauce, offering an exquisite harmony of refined fat and tender flesh.
This dish is said to be at its most delicious from October to March, when the fish is fattiest. The cooking method involves simmering the fish — either as fillets or whole — in a sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
● History of Simmered Kinmedai
The Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture is known as one of Japan’s premier kinmedai producing areas. Simmered kinmedai has a long history as a traditional local dish of this region. Full-scale commercial fishing of kinmedai in Izu began in the early Showa era. Before that, kinmedai was an expensive fish that was rarely distributed, and it seldom appeared on household dining tables.
● Where to Eat Simmered Kinmedai!
- Restaurant: Shogyo
- Appeal:
This local fish restaurant overlooks Ajiro Port and features the shop owner visiting the market every morning to personally select the freshest seafood. The restaurant has its own live tank, and the live squid sashimi is especially recommended. The transparent squid has a crispy texture, and when enjoyed with its liver, it offers a rich flavor. The restaurant also has an extensive selection of local simmered fish dishes, and the simmered kinmedai in particular is served at market price with the freshest possible fish. - Address: 55-8 Ajiro, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Access: 753m from Ajiro Station
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mcXLN7xrk8PEDiFBA
Sawayaka Hamburger Steak
● The Appeal of Sawayaka Hamburger Steak
“Charcoal Grill Restaurant Sawayaka,” available only in Shizuoka Prefecture, is known as a soul food for Shizuoka residents. The signature menu item, “Genkotsu Hamburger,” is a 100% beef charcoal-grilled hamburger steak featuring a generous 250g round patty. The outside is grilled crispy and fragrant, while the inside is served rare.
The appeal lies not only in the deliciousness of the hamburger steak but also in its Shizuoka exclusivity — the restaurant does not open branches outside the prefecture, and maintains its quality by supplying fresh hamburger patties from its own factory within Shizuoka.
● History of Sawayaka Hamburger Steak
“Charcoal Grill Restaurant Sawayaka” was founded in 1977 in Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Originally opened as “Coffee Shop Sawayaka,” offering coffee and light meals, a major turning point came when founder Shigeyuki Tomita added a 100% beef hamburger steak to the menu. This hamburger steak became hugely popular, and Sawayaka gradually evolved into a restaurant centered around hamburger steaks.
● Where to Eat Sawayaka Hamburger Steak!
- Restaurant: Sawayaka Kikugawa Main Store
- Appeal:
“Charcoal Grill Restaurant Sawayaka Kikugawa Main Store” is the founding location of Sawayaka, born in 1977 in Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The signature “Genkotsu Hamburger” features a thick, juicy 100% beef patty, and its live cooking method is especially popular. The hamburger is grilled over charcoal, then cut in half by staff at your table and finished right before your eyes, allowing guests to enjoy it piping hot. - Address: 6088 Kamo, Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture 439-0031
- Access: 2,598m from Kikugawa Station
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ucLV3hGHREGRrFK7A