The seaside town of Shiogama is known as a fierce battleground for sushi, boasting one of Japan's highest catches of fresh tuna and production of fish paste products. In Shiogama, there are not only sushi restaurants, but also many establishments that use local seafood and long-established gourmet spots that have been loved by the local people of Shiogama for many years. In this column, we will introduce five well-known popular gourmet spots in Shiogama. Please refer to this when you are looking for delicious restaurants for lunch or dinner in Shiogama.
An Italian restaurant located at the entrance of Marine Gate Shiogama, where you can enjoy the harbor view. The lunch menu offers a rich lineup, including about four types of pizza and pasta sets each, as well as meat/fish sets. The pasta and pizza generously use fresh seafood directly from Shiogama Market, allowing you to enjoy Blair Marina's original and elaborately crafted dishes. When you order pasta, there's a stylish service where Grana Padano cheese is grated right in front of your seat.
The restaurant is almost always full, with many families and female customers, and it's so popular that the lively voices of people enjoying their holiday lunch never cease. The hall staff seemed busy, constantly moving, but their cheerful voices filled the restaurant, allowing guests to enjoy their meal in a pleasant atmosphere. The hospitality of the staff at Blair Marina is also excellent; when I asked for coffee after the meal, it was naturally served at the perfect time. I truly felt their attentive service, as they seemed to be observing each table carefully.
In Shiogama, there are three ramen shops that are known as "the place to go for ramen!", and this "Rairaiken" is one of them. It's a long-established shop that has been in business for over 70 years, loved by people of all ages, from local Shiogama students to families and elderly couples.
This Chinese noodle shop is located about a 1-2 minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station's Shrine Approach exit, facing Route 3. I entered just after 11:00 AM, the opening time, but it was already full due to the peak hour on this particular day.
The store has posters mandating mask-wearing when not eating or drinking, and hand sanitization before seating is thoroughly enforced, indicating perfect COVID-19 measures.
Even though the restaurant is packed during peak hours every day and the staff appear constantly busy, they are known for their very fast service, with orders typically arriving in about 5 minutes.
Both the Chinese noodles and fried rice I ordered this time had a simple yet carefully prepared, nostalgic taste. It seems there are regulars who come every day for this taste. With Chinese noodles priced at 580 yen and fried rice at 600 yen, the exceptional cost performance makes it understandable why it continues to have strong support in Shiogama.
A sushi restaurant representing Miyagi Prefecture. Even locals recommend "If you're going to a sushi restaurant in Shiogama, go to Sushitetsu!" It's so popular that customers from far away visit all year round.
This restaurant, a pioneer in spreading Shiogama sushi throughout Japan, is also featured in the book "Shiogama Sushitetsu Monogatari."
The menu features "nigiri" and "chirashi" divided into four ranks, along with à la carte dishes and rolls.
The "nigiri" is served on a large Arita ware plate with red designs, featuring an array of nigiri, gunkan maki, and rolls.
The "chirashi" features artfully cut cucumbers that create a stunning and artistic presence. This decorative cutting seems to be inspired by Matsushima. Both dishes are crafted to be visually enjoyable, making you excited even before taking a bite.
The seafood caught in the Sanriku sea offers a rich variety depending on the season. Among them, Sushitetsu's particular focus is on "Sasanishiki" rice harvested in the Osaki Plain in northern Miyagi Prefecture, and "fresh tuna" sourced from top-tier intermediaries. For gunkan maki, fragrant nori (seaweed) from local Matsushima Bay is used. Sushitetsu's characteristic is that it more than satisfies the three essential conditions for delicious sushi: "fish, rice, and nori."
Experience the deliciousness of Shiogama sushi, made with Sasanishiki rice from Miyagi, a rice-producing region, and abundant fresh seafood sourced from the Shiogama Wholesale Market.
This is one of Tohoku's leading conveyor belt sushi restaurants, ranking 6th nationwide in the November 2021 Tabelog conveyor belt sushi rankings.
It's a famous restaurant that has been featured numerous times on TV and in the media, with Miyagi-born comedians Sandwichman recommending it as their favorite local sushi spot.
The recommendation is the "Moukazarne no Hoshi (heart) sashimi," which is only available from autumn to the end of the year. It has no unpleasant odor, a soft and elastic texture like botan shrimp, and is delicious with ponzu sauce.
When it comes to sweets in Shiogama, this is the place! It's a gelato specialty shop run by the second generation of a fruit store that has been in business for over 50 years. This authentic gelato, popular with locals, is frequently featured on TV and in the media.
The menu apparently changes with the seasons, but there were so many intriguing flavors lined up, and the variety was so appealing, that I couldn't help but agonize over which one to choose.
There are two ways to order: cup or cone (+50 yen). Flavors are divided into premium and regular, and prices vary depending on the combination. ・Regular Single (¥410) ・Regular Double (¥464) ・Premium Single (¥507) ・Premium Double (¥615) ・Regular Premium Double (¥594)
After much deliberation, I decided to order the Regular Premium Double this time.
《Cassata》 Cheese ice cream with dried fruits and nuts. It has a fragrant flavor and a crispy texture, with an elegant taste.
《Persimmon》 A rare flavor for fruit ice cream. It has no strong taste and a smooth texture like a ripe persimmon.
Gelato bars made with plenty of fresh fruit were also available. Be sure to visit for a sweet treat after your meal in Shiogama.
In this column, we introduced a glimpse into Shiogama's gourmet scene. What did you think? Amidst the fierce competition for sushi, there are well-known restaurants that continue to shine, long-established eateries loved by locals for more than just seafood, and many other restaurants that support Shiogama. Most are located within a 10-minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station, so you can discover wonderful places with just a short stroll. Please use this as a reference for dining during your stay in Shiogama.
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