"Recommended Gourmet" recommended by local Okayama residents. Whether it's food, sweets, souvenirs, or any other genre, we'll introduce their personal favorites, along with recommendations from locals.
2025.11.07*These are the results of an online survey conducted in October 2025 among Okayama prefecture residents (not a ranking).
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Table of Contents
- 1. Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice)
- 2. Bagels from "HATTORI BAGEL"
- 3. Miyake Shoten's Seasonal Parfaits
- 4. Asakuchi Hand-Stretched Noodles
- 5. Silver cod marinated in sake lees set meal at the restaurant "Nishikura"
- 6. Anko from "Ankoyape"
- There's more! Recommended comments from Okayama residents
1. Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice)
This is a local Western-style dish from Okayama Prefecture. It is a unique fried rice dish made with a spiced sauce that combines caramel sauce, ketchup, curry powder, and other ingredients. Each restaurant adds their own unique secret ingredients to create the sweet and spicy savory sauce.
●I've been eating shrimp rice for 40 years? There used to be a store in the basement of the Tenmaya bus stop. I remember they had all-you-can-eat coleslaw. That was also delicious. It's still delicious, but I recommend the Plus Pot-au-feu. I'm hooked on the chunky vegetables. I can't wait to eat it again. (Woman in her 60s, full-time housewife)
●When I was a student, if I couldn't decide what to eat out, I would go to "Indira" and have Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice). There seemed to be several branches, but the one I often went to was the one in Omotemachi 2-chome (which no longer exists), and the unique color of the Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice) left a lasting impression on me. (Male, 60s, Other)
●Its black appearance is surprising, but once you try it, you'll be hooked. The spiciness and richness are irresistible. It's available at several stores in the prefecture, each with its own unique flavor. Some stores also offer shrimp toppings. (Female, 50s, office worker)
This local fried rice has a unique dark brown color. It's Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice) with plenty of shrimp and onions. It's very delicious. (Woman, 60s, Full-time housewife)
2. Bagels from "HATTORI BAGEL"
【HATTORI BAGEL】
Address: 1-4-12-1 Okayama Prefecture, Kita Ward , Okayama City, Hokancho
TEL: 086-959-4391
Business hours: 10:30-18:00
Closed: Sundays and Mondays
Parking: None
●This shop offers about 50 different types of bagels every day, and at this time of year, they have several seasonal bagels, such as chestnut and pumpkin. Last year, I joined the workforce and moved to Okayama City for the first time, living alone. A few months after moving out, I was exploring the city on my days off. Around that time, I spotted this shop on Instagram and was intrigued, so I decided to stop by. When I went inside, I found the small shop packed with bagels neatly displayed, and they all looked delicious. I couldn't decide which one to choose, so I bought five different types and froze them to eat at home, and they were all delicious. Since then, I've recommended this shop to friends and gone with them when we go out. I now live in Tsuyama, but I still travel to Okayama City just to eat these bagels. There are two bagels I've tried that were particularly delicious. The Uji Black Bean Cream Cheese Daifuku Bagel is a matcha dough filled with cream cheese, black beans, and gyuhi rice cake, and the Japanese flavor was addictively delicious. The Mentaiko Cheese bagel was a new one I tried today, and it was packed with mentaiko and cheese, making it a very satisfying bagel. (Female, 20s, Office Worker)
3. Miyake Shoten's Seasonal Parfaits
[Miyake Shoten]
Address: 3-11 Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 086-426-4600
Business hours: Weekdays 11:30-17:00, Saturdays 11:00-19:00, Sundays 8:30-17:00
Closed: Temporary closures will be announced on the official Instagram account
Parking: None
●The seasonal flavors of Okayama Prefecture's Shine Muscat and Pione grapes can be enjoyed in multiple layers with fresh fruit and several types of ice cream and jelly! (Woman, 50s, Full-time housewife)
●The seasonal parfait at Miyake Shoten , a townhouse cafe in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter , is delicious and made with plenty of locally grown fruits and ingredients. Tourists are always delighted when I show them around. (30s/female/office worker)
4. Asakuchi Hand-Stretched Noodles
These noodles are made in the Kamogata area of Asakuchi City, which is blessed with warm temperatures, little rain, and clear streams, perfect conditions for making noodles. The dough is made by adding salt water to wheat flour, kneading it, forming it into a long rod, and then repeatedly letting it rest and stretching it. The noodles are characterized by their chewy elasticity and smooth texture, born from techniques passed down from the Edo period.
Hand-pulled noodles are a specialty of the Asakuchi region, made by stretching the dough over and over again until they become thinner. They have a smooth, silky texture and a chewy feel. The Asakuchi region is blessed with high-quality wheat, salt from the Seto Naikai, and a "Land of Sunshine" climate that's perfect for drying noodles, making them ideal for making noodles. They're truly a local delicacy!
1. Menkurando(Menku Land) ... A restaurant attached to a noodle factory operated by Kamokawa Handenobe Somen Co., Ltd. It has a wide variety of menu items, so it is recommended for families and groups! The warm "Kamaage Udon" is recommended as you can enjoy the chewy texture of the noodles. There is also a great souvenir corner.
2. Macaret(Makare) ...If you want to try unique hand-pulled noodles, we recommend this place in Satosho Town. You can taste pasta made with hand-pulled noodles. As a place associated with Fujii Kaze, fans from all over the country visit here.
(40s/female/self-employed)
Somen is a specialty of Bitchu, and even though it is thin, it has a chewy texture. It was always available in homes from childhood. Its characteristic chewy texture has led to some restaurants now offering it in pasta and pizza. (Female, 50s, office worker)
5. Silver cod marinated in sake lees set meal at the restaurant "Nishikura"
[Nishigura Restaurant]
Address: 116 Katsuyama, Maniwa City Okayama Prefecture , Katsuyama Prefecture
TEL: 0867-44-5300
Business hours: 11:00-14:30 (last orders 14:00)
Closed: Thursdays *Wednesdays and Thursdays in January
Parking: Available
● Menu from Nishigura, the restaurant of Gozen Sake Brewery Tsujimoto. You can dine in a charming space renovated from a storehouse that is also designated as a registered tangible cultural property. The silver cod marinated in the sake lees of Gozen Sake is fatty and fluffy when cooked. You won't be able to stop eating. Nishigura is located in the Katsuyama Historical Preservation District. You can also enjoy the retro townscape with its earthen storehouses and lattice windows while admiring the unique noren curtains that are a Katsuyama specialty. Also, in front of Nishigura, Imoto Island Sejima's "Footprints," a work from the Forest Art Festival, is on display. (50s/Freeter/Part-time worker)
This restaurant is run by a brewery in the Katsuyama Townscape Preservation District. You can dine on the second floor. The set meal, featuring the traditional silver cod pickled in sake lees, has a slightly sweet aroma that fills your mouth and is irresistible. (Female, 50s, office worker)
6. Anko from "Ankoyape"
[Ankoyape]
Address: 1724 Furumachi , Mimasaka City, Okayama Okayama Prefecture
TEL: 0868-75-4321 (Reservations accepted for bean paste sold by weight only)
Business hours: Thursday to Saturday 10:00-16:00 (last order 15:30)
*May be open on Wednesdays (posted on official website and Instagram)
Closed: Sundays to Wednesdays
Parking: Use the parking lot at Ohara General Branch Office
●A mild-tasting bean paste made only from red beans and raw sugar. They also sell it by weight. Sometimes they also sell it online. (30s/female/civil servant)
●Anko is a must-try for all anko lovers. It's sweet, yet has a light aftertaste. Once you've tried it, you'll never forget it. It can be used in a variety of ways, such as with ice cream, on anko butter toast, or mixed with dried fruit and cheese. They also have a cafe, so you can enjoy anko dishes. They don't have many opening hours, but if you're in the area, it's a shop you should definitely stop by. (Female, 50s, office worker)
There's more! Recommended comments from Okayama residents
[Fujiya's Chinese noodles]
Address: 2-3-8 Okayama Prefecture, Kita Ward , Okayama City, Hokancho
●As a leek lover, I can't resist the free extra serving of leek (does this still happen?). It's a restaurant with a long history, and it's a flavor I've been eating since I was a child. It's the soul food of Okayama, home to the ramen noodle culture. (40s/Male/Other)
[Cakes from Satsukiya]
Address: 3-19 Minamimachi , Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
●All of the cakes are delicious. They're all reasonably priced and I like them all, but even my husband, who doesn't have a sweet tooth, loves the cream pie. (40s/female/office worker)
[Service lunch at Restaurant Sanzoku]
Address: 2-50 Nishichidoricho, Mizushima , Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
It's cheap, filling, and delicious! I think it's a famous restaurant that only locals know about! (30s/female/office worker)
[Yakiniku at Yakiniku Restaurant Maruyoshi]
Address: 114-2 Okayama Prefecture, Setouchi
●There are many varieties, they are cheap and delicious. (40s/Male/Unemployed)
This popular local restaurant has been around for about 50 years. It's cheap and delicious. (Female, office worker, 50s)
[Kitchen Kaizoku' Curry]
Address: 4173 Ushimado , Ushimado Town Setouchi City Okayama Prefecture
This restaurant is famous for Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice), but their curry is also recommended! (40s/female/civil servant)
●When Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice) of "pirate," you think of shrimp rice, but the curry is actually very flavorful and delicious. There's even a dish called Ebimeshi (Shrimp Rice) rice curry. (50s/female/other)
[Fuuman from "Taguchi Shoten"]
Address: 25-9 Okayama Prefecture, Chuo Kasaoka City
●Fuuman, or Fuuman for short. They come with red bean, white bean paste, and cream filling, and they're all delicious, but what you really want to try is the dough. The chewy dough with honey is superb. It was my go-to snack spot on the way home from school when I was in high school. It's Kasaoka's soul food. (50s/Female/Other)
[Takata no Tamago egg rice]
Address: 2050-1 Ozaka , Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture
These eggs are made with carefully selected water and feed, and have a cholesterol level that is 20% to 30% lower than regular eggs. However, they still have a strong flavor, are packed with umami, and are rich and delicious. (Female, 20s, Full-time housewife)
[Bread from "SOL Bakery"]
Address: 1456-4 Shinjo, Satosho-cho , Satosho Town, Asakuchi Okayama Prefecture
●They have a wide variety of breads, and every one is delicious. The bread is delicious all the way to the crust, so you'll never get tired of eating it. Their curry bread and other savory breads are also recommended. Depending on the time of day, you might have to queue up for quite a while. (Male, office worker, 60s)
[Soup curry from "Soup Curry SAI"]
Address: 597-2 Momibo , Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture
●A chain with three stores in Okayama. The soup curry can be adjusted to your spiciness. The toppings of tender chicken, crispy shrimp cutlet, and melt-in-your-mouth cheese hamburger are superb. It's so delicious you'll want to eat it again and again. The spices also boost your immunity!! (40s/female/office worker)
[Taiyaki from "Shibata"]
Address: 1642-3 Kamimachigawa, Nagi-cho, Nagi Town Okayama Prefecture , within the FamilyMart premises
●I've been eating them since I was a child, and I loved them so much that I even wanted to become a taiyaki shop owner. I try all kinds of taiyaki when I go out, but I've yet to come across one that surpasses the deliciousness of the bean paste in Shibata's taiyaki. It's not easily accessible to non-locals, so I think one of its charms is that it can only be enjoyed by those who can get there by car. If you're visiting the Nagi Town Museum of Contemporary Art, this is definitely something you should stop by. (Woman, 50s, office worker)
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