2025.02.21 I definitely want to eat it when I come to Oita! 13 Best Gourmet Guides

• Kyushu
• Oita
• Gourmet
• Gourmet
• meal
• Izakaya
• B-grade gourmet

REVIEW0

1. When it comes to Oita's classic local cuisine, it has to be 'Ryukyudon'.
   Second-generation Yoichi
2. The restaurant where Oita’s local dish 'Toritten' originated.
   Toyo-ken
3. A popular soba restaurant in Bungo Takata, a renowned soba-producing region.
   Juwari Soba Etsu
4. Popular for its proud serving of Oita’s Bungo beef and its reasonably priced lunches.
   Bungo Beef Steak Restaurant Somuri
5. Featuring a secret soup and hand-stretched noodles with a satisfying bite.
   Hand-Stretched Cold Noodle Specialty Shop Rokusei (Main Store)
6. A local favorite that’s also popular for dine-in.
   Karaage-ya Chicken House Nakatsu Main Store
7. Savor the castle-area skate served with homemade plum vinegar.
   Kappo Norakuroya
8. Offering an extensive array of local dishes including dango-jiru and yaseuma.
   Amamidjaya
9. Hita Yakisoba – a B-grade gourmet that has now gained nationwide fame.
   Tenryu
10. Oita’s comforting home-style flavors that are an essential souvenir.
    Yoshino Chicken Rice Preservation Society
11. The restaurant where Usa karaage (fried chicken) originated.
    Rairaiken
12. Noted for its astonishingly large seafood portions and exceptional freshness!
    Nishiki Sushi
13. Saeki Sesame Dressing Udon, packed with nutritious fish.
    Miyuki Shokudo

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When it comes to Oita's classic local cuisine, it has to be 'Ryukyudon'.
Second-generation Yoichi

‘Second-generation Yoichi’ – hailed as the birthplace of Oita’s famous local dish 'Ryukyudon (Ryukyudon)' – draws crowds of tourists around the clock. Their luxurious Ryukyudon, made with Oita’s premium Seki Aji, pairs impeccably fresh fish with a uniquely sweet soy-based glaze typical of Kyushu, while the vinegared rice beautifully accentuates the delicate flavor of the fish.

Access to Second-generation Yoichi

The restaurant where Oita’s local dish 'Toritten' originated.
Toyo-ken

Since 1926, 'Restaurant Toyo-ken' has been renowned as the birthplace of Oita’s famous local dish 'Toritten'. Their toritten, exclusively made with the richly flavored domestic chicken thigh and fried in a batter made from fresh eggs, draws crowds daily in pursuit of the original taste. With an extensive menu featuring Chinese dishes and set meals, it’s also a great place for families to order a variety of items and share.

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A popular soba restaurant in Bungo Takata, a renowned soba-producing region.
Juwari Soba Etsu

Juwari Soba Etsu, a certified hand-made soba shop in Bungo Takata City, is celebrated by those in the know for its signature 'coarsely ground seiro soba' crafted by owner Etsuo Kouno – the youngest among certified shop owners. Its noodles are renowned for their firm bite and rich aroma compared to standard noodles. The duck seiro soba made with local Bungo Takata duck and the seasonal vegetable soba, popular among women, come highly recommended.

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Popular for its proud serving of Oita’s Bungo beef and its reasonably priced lunches.
Bungo Beef Steak Restaurant Somuri

Boasting a nostalgic atmosphere, 'Bungo Beef Steak Restaurant Somuri' is a renowned establishment where not only tourists but discerning meat aficionados come to savor Oita’s brand beef, Bungo beef. In addition to its melt-in-the-mouth, finely marbled steak, their lunch menu featuring hamburgers and shrimp fry is also very popular. Reservations are recommended when dining here.

Access to Bungo Beef Steak Restaurant Somuri

Featuring a secret soup and hand-stretched noodles with a satisfying bite.
Hand-Stretched Cold Noodle Specialty Shop Rokusei (Main Store)

The Hand-Stretched Cold Noodle Specialty Shop Rokusei (Main Store) is bustling with visitors both on weekdays and weekends. Famous as the go-to spot for Beppu’s local specialty, Beppu Reimen, its cold noodles – featuring firm, homemade noodles tossed in a blend of Japanese-style broth and beef bone soup – are both refreshing and rich, earning high praise from locals. Once you try them, you’ll be eager to return.

Access to Hand-Stretched Cold Noodle Specialty Shop Rokusei (Main Store)

A local favorite that’s also popular for dine-in.
Karaage-ya Chicken House Nakatsu Main Store

At Chicken House, their karaage features crispy, juicy chicken that’s been thoroughly marinated overnight in a soy sauce-based sauce using Kyushu chicken. Enjoy the freshly fried karaage whether you opt for takeout or dine in. Their generously portioned, reasonably priced karaage set meal is especially popular at lunchtime, and they even offer nationwide shipping.

Access to Karaage-ya Chicken House Nakatsu Main Store

Savor the castle-area skate served with homemade plum vinegar.
Kappo Norakuroya

The 'Joka Karei', a celebrated specialty of Hide Town in Oita, is said to have earned its name because it was caught beneath the ruins of Hide Castle. Unlike ordinary skate, it is mild and richly aromatic, with its flavor elevated by homemade plum vinegar. At Norakuroya, you can enjoy courses laden with Joka Karei or opt for a casual mini set.

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Offering an extensive array of local dishes including dango-jiru and yaseuma.
Amamidjaya

Located within a spacious, green-surrounded setting near Tsurumino Onsen, 'Amamidjaya' exudes a nostalgic, folk-art ambience with its interior featuring a souvenir corner. Offering an extensive lineup of Oita’s local dishes, including dango-jiru, yaseuma, and toritten, as well as plenty of sweet treats, you’re sure to find something delicious no matter when you visit.

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Hita Yakisoba – a B-grade gourmet that has now gained nationwide fame.
Tenryu

When it comes to the soul food of Hita natives, 'Hita Yakisoba' is renowned nationwide as one of the top three B-grade gourmet yakisoba, alongside those from Fujinomiya and Yokote. Although each store has its secret sauce, Tenryu’s seasoning—with its mild sauce and the rich flavor of lard—brings together the dish’s crisp noodles and crunchy bean sprouts in an irresistible way.

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Oita’s comforting home-style flavors that are an essential souvenir.
Yoshino Chicken Rice Preservation Society

The local dish 'Yoshino Chicken Rice', passed down in the Yoshino area of Oita City, is made solely with ingredients from Oita – rice, burdock, and chicken. The Yoshino Chicken Rice rice ball, mixing freshly steamed rice with well-seasoned chicken and burdock, delivers an unforgettable taste. In addition to being sold at the company’s direct sales outlet, it is also available at department stores, supermarkets, and Oita Station.

Access to the Yoshino Chicken Rice Preservation Society

The restaurant where Usa karaage (fried chicken) originated.
Rairaiken

‘Usa Karaage’, reputed to be older than Nakatsu Karaage. Among these, the Chinese restaurant ‘Rai Rai-ken’ is famous as the original establishment. Their karaage features a perfect blend of soy sauce and garlic, resulting in a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. The freshly fried karaage is so light in flavor that you could easily eat countless pieces.

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Noted for its astonishingly large seafood portions and exceptional freshness!
Nishiki Sushi

Located just a 3-minute walk from JR Saiki Station, ‘Nishiki Sushi’ is famous for its generously large seafood toppings – aside from tuna, all the ingredients are fresh, natural catches from the nearby Saiki coastal waters. This signature sushi attracts a steady stream of visitors from both inside and outside the prefecture. We highly recommend the ‘Omakase Set’, which features an assortment of local Saiki fish. Enjoy the unique flavors of Saiki sushi along with the owner's warm hospitality.

Access to Nishiki Sushi

Saeki Sesame Dressing Udon, packed with nutritious fish.
Miyuki Shokudo

‘Gomadashi Udon’, a local Saiki specialty, is a preserved dish created by the wives of busy fishermen by mixing fish paste with sesame, soy sauce, and other ingredients. At the famous Gomadashi Udon shop ‘Miyu Kishu Shokudo’, they use flaked grilled Eso fish. Unlike other establishments, their version served as dipping noodles is simply exquisite – it will completely transform your perception of Gomadashi Udon.

Access to Miyu Kishu Shokudo

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