Not a fan of raw fish? Try Aomori’s cooked seafood rice bowls!
When you think of Japanese seafood cuisine, what comes to mind first is probably raw dishes like sushi and sashimi. Although famous and popular around the world, these can be hit-or-miss with visitors from countries where seafood is normally served cooked, who might have a hard time getting over the taste and texture of raw fish and shellfish. That’s why some restaurants in Aomori Prefecture have developed cooked versions of a Japanese seafood classic, the seafood rice bowl or kaisen-don. Their innovations have won them popularity among not only foreign visitors but also Japanese diners, who have discovered fresh appeal in the time-honored seafood dish. Read on to learn more about three new options for seafood lovers in Aomori Prefecture.
Tsunezushi (Hirosaki City)
This authentic sushi restaurant in central Hirosaki City offers a rice bowl topped with fresh seafood simmered in a specially prepared sauce. The dish was invented at the suggestion of the Aomori prefectural government as a way to accommodate the needs of overseas visitors and expand the range of dining options for those who wish to enjoy Aomori’s delicious seafood but are hesitant about trying it raw. The sweet and savory sauce is a highlight of the simmered seafood rice bowl, bringing out the flavors of fresh fish and shellfish like salmon, yellowtail, squid, scallops, and shrimp (actual toppings may vary by the day) and perfectly complementing the fluffy white rice. Add a dash of wasabi for an extra kick—if you dare!
Ordering in advance is recommended.
| Location: | 9-2 Shinkajimachi, Hirosaki City |
| Hours: | 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lunch); 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (dinner) |
| Closed: | Mondays and Tuesdays |
| Instagram: | https://www.instagram.com/tunezushi/ (in Japanese) |
Tawaraya / Shinbun Café (Hachinohe City)
In addition to a variety of conventional seafood dishes including sushi and pizza, this restaurant located only about a minute’s walk from JR Hon-Hachinohe Station is also known for its “Ebisu-don” simmered seafood and rice bowl. Depending on the season, fresh seafood delicacies like conger eel, octopus, squid, scallop, grilled sea-urchin roe, and shrimp are simmered and served on a bed of rice. Sauce is also served to the side, which you can drizzle as desired for additional flavor. The dish is aptly named after Ebisu, the Japanese god of fishermen and good luck, who is usually depicted as a jolly, pot-bellied figure with a fishing pole. After enjoying this tasty treat, you’re sure to have a smile on your face as big as Ebisu’s!
Note that the Ebisu-don simmered seafood and rice bowl takes a while to prepare, so it is recommended that you order it in advance or allow ample time in your schedule.
| Location: | 1-3-18 Shiroshita, Hachinohe City |
| Hours: | 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (last orders: 2:30 p.m.); 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (last orders: 8:20 p.m.) |
| Closed: | Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday) and the second Tuesday of each month (check the website for other temporary closings) |
| Website: | https://www.hachinohe-tawaraya.com/ (in Japanese) |
Den (Aomori City)
This restaurant on the premises of Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse offers a flame-grilled variation on the traditional seafood and rice bowl. Fresh fish and shellfish like fatty, medium-fatty, and lean cuts of tuna; simmered scallop; squid; octopus; shrimp; and vinegared mackerel are seared over an open flame, seasoned with an exclusively prepared sauce, and served over a bed of vinegared rice. The savory aroma produced by flame-grilling brings out the umami flavors of the seafood.
| Location: | 1-1-1 Yasukata, Aomori City (first floor of Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse) |
| Hours: | 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (last orders: 2:30 p.m.) |
| Closed: | Days when the museum is closed |
As you can see, you don’t need to be a fan of raw fish to enjoy Aomori’s tantalizing seafood cuisine. And even if you are, why not try something a little different? These cooked seafood and rice bowls make the most of the ocean’s bounty in Aomori Prefecture.
