Enjoy winter crab in Kanazawa. 5 top crab restaurants, from classic Kano crab to luxurious morning porridge
When it comes to winter delicacies from the Sea of Japan, nothing beats the snow crab. While there are branded crabs in various regions, the "Kano crab" from Ishikawa Prefecture is one of them. Because they are caught in day trips near the coast, their freshness is exceptional. Crab dishes prepared by chefs in Kanazawa, a city of gastronomy, offer a unique and delicious experience. Here, we introduce some of the best restaurants in the Katamachi area, Kanazawa's premier entertainment district, where you can enjoy crab to your heart's content.
"Kano crab" and "Kobako crab." What are the characteristics of the crabs you can enjoy in Ishikawa Prefecture?
The representative crabs of Ishikawa Prefecture are the "Kano crab" and the "Kobako crab." Among the snow crabs landed in Ishikawa Prefecture, males with a shell width of 9 cm or more and good meat content are called "Kano crab." The blue tag attached to the leg is proof of the brand, and the tag also includes the name of the port where it was landed.
On the other hand, the female is called "Kobako crab," a precious winter delicacy with a short fishing season. It is characterized by its rich inner roe (ovaries) and outer roe (eggs) with an irresistible popping texture. The "crab shell" (kani-men), where crab meat and tomalley are beautifully arranged in the shell, is a very popular ingredient in Kanazawa oden.
There are also top-tier brands: "Kagayaki" for Kano crab and "Kagahime" for Kobako crab. Furthermore, starting in 2025, a third brand called "Ichiban-oshi" (Top Pick) was introduced, which is attached to the best crab from each fishing boat.
The fishing season is from November 6th to March 20th for males, and until December 29th for females. It is unique to this famous production area that there are many chefs who know everything about crab, from selection to boiling time. Please visit the area and taste its deliciousness for yourself.
1Sake to Shokuyujin Minato
"Kano Crab" selected by a trusted connoisseur is a winter luxury packed with umami.
The owner opened this restaurant in 2021 after training for about 15 years at the popular Kanazawa izakaya "Itaru." For the "Kano crab" and "Kobako crab," which are winter traditions in Kanazawa, they only purchase those selected by trusted wholesalers.
The owner's recommended way to eat it is, above all else, boiled crab. Thanks to a boiling method arrived at through trial and error, the crab's umami is tightly locked in, making it an exquisite dish. Other signature delicacies unique to this restaurant are also available, such as crab miso gratin and grilled crab miso in the shell.
A place like a "port" where people gather. Enjoy a relaxing moment with local sake carefully selected by the owner.
The restaurant's name, "Minato" (port), embodies the owner's wish to make it a place where people gather like a port, and it has an atmosphere that is easy to enter even for a single person. The playfulness of the owner, who loves travel and music, is scattered throughout the restaurant, starting with the menu.
True to having "sake" in its name, the restaurant is particularly particular about its Japanese sake. The owner personally visits breweries and has curated a lineup of local sake from Ishikawa and Toyama whose philosophies he resonates with. You can spend a luxurious time warming your body, chilled from walking around town, with delicious crab and hot sake.
Local
Supporter
If you ask, "What kind of sake goes well with boiled crab?" they will recommend a few based on your preferences, so even sake beginners can order with confidence.
- Sake to Shoku Yujin Minato
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2-8 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP 
Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Korinbo," and walk for about 7 minutes.
17:30–23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
Sundays (temporary closures may occur)
076-208-3305
None *Paid parking available nearby
Crab dishes must be reserved by the previous day.
2Ajidokoro Takasaki
A taste of Western cuisine loved at a kappo restaurant. The signature "Crab Cream Croquette."
Founded in 1971 as a Western-style restaurant, it is now popular as a kappo (traditional Japanese) restaurant. A specialty since its founding is the "crab cream croquette." In fact, this is a familiar menu item in Kanazawa that has long been served even in Japanese restaurants.
The croquettes at this shop are filled with plenty of red snow crab meat, and their rich, smooth cream is irresistibly delicious. This masterpiece has maintained its unchanging flavor for years, and there are many fans who have been coming since its days as a Western-style restaurant. Since they can be ordered year-round, be sure to try them when you visit Kanazawa.
Choose a live crab on the spot and enjoy it prepared to your preference.
Near the entrance of the restaurant, there is a large tank filled with many crabs. Since crab meat shrinks when taken out of the water, the restaurant takes great care in managing them in the tank. Prices are at market value and fluctuate significantly depending on the catch and other conditions.
At this restaurant, you can see and compare live crabs of three sizes—large, medium, and small—right in front of you, so you can choose on the spot according to your budget and the amount you want, which is reassuring. Once you have chosen your crab, you can order it prepared to your liking, such as sashimi, grilled, or boiled. If you want sashimi, a slightly larger one is recommended, while a smaller size is recommended if you want to enjoy a variety of other things like winter yellowtail, blackthroat seaperch, and Kaga vegetables.
Local
Supporter
You can also eat the same crab cream croquette at the second branch, "Hirudokoro Takasaki," located in the nearby commercial facility "Kraso Place Korinbo." We also recommend trying a taste comparison with crab cream croquettes from other restaurants.
- Ajidokoro Takasaki
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- 1-2-22 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 15 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
- Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Korinbo," and walk for about 5 minutes.
- 17:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
- Sundays (or the last day of consecutive holidays)
- 076-231-0116
- Reservations required during crab season (early November to late March)
3Kappo Takeshi
Enjoy an exquisite full-course crab meal at a renowned restaurant along the Sai River.
A crab specialty restaurant located along the Sai River. During the season, they only offer full-course crab meals. While many restaurants charge market prices for crab, this restaurant purchases large quantities from a fishmonger with whom they have an annual contract, allowing them to offer fixed prices during the season for peace of mind.
There are three types of courses: you can choose between "crab sashimi and grilled crab" or "crab shabu-shabu hot pot" as the main dish, or opt for the "premium" course to enjoy both. Additionally, you can add "boiled crab" as an option. We are able to offer such a substantial menu precisely because we have many staff members experienced in handling crab and our kitchen is fully equipped.
Be soothed by the blooming crab sashimi and the chef's warm smile.
Various thoughtful touches are incorporated to ensure our guests are delighted. The crab sashimi is prepared just before serving to match your reservation time, blooming beautifully like a flower. The chef himself greets every guest, and the attentive, detailed service—such as helping with the grilling of the crab, which can be difficult to get just right—is another highlight. The restaurant is always filled with smiles.
If you want to enjoy an unforgettable crab experience to your heart's content in Kanazawa, why not pay us a visit? Outside of crab season, you can also enjoy a wide range of dishes, such as the "nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) full-course kaiseki."
Local
Supporter
The humorous stories from the famous chef, who says "seeing the customers' smiles is my greatest joy" and provides service that exceeds expectations, are also part of the fun.
- Kappo Takeshi
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- 2-32-4 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
- Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Katamachi," and walk about 5 minutes.
- 17:30–22:00 *17:00–23:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, holidays, and the day before holidays
- Sundays (Open on Sundays if it is part of a consecutive holiday)
- 076-234-2121
- Free (4 spaces)
- Reservations are recommended. The hours and holidays listed above are for the crab season.
4Kaisen Ichiba Ryori Ichinokura Katamachi-ten
Enjoy live crab all year round! A luxurious taste with your choice of preparation.
This is a restaurant where you can enjoy authentic dishes using live snow crab all year round. There is a huge fish tank at the entrance where many crabs welcome you. In the summer, we air-freight live crabs from the Sea of Okhotsk, allowing you to enjoy the sashimi and crab miso in their true, delicious state.
Of course, "kobako crab" and "kano crab" also appear in winter. For fresh live crab, you can choose from three preparation methods for the whole crab: sashimi, charcoal-grilled, or steamed. If you choose to have the legs grilled or as sashimi, the shell will be grilled; if you choose to have the legs steamed, the shell will also be steamed. Because we prepare crab all year round, our chefs' skills truly shine.
Featuring Kanazawa oden and local cuisine. A famous Katamachi restaurant you can enjoy casually without a reservation.
The restaurant reopened in 2025. It is located facing the Katamachi intersection and features a modern, calm interior. It is operated by Hachiban, the company behind the Hokuriku soul food "Hachiban Ramen." As a company that values food culture, they also put effort into local dishes such as "jibuni" and "hasu-mushi."
Furthermore, a nice point about the Katamachi branch is that it offers "Kanazawa Oden" all year round. While many restaurants require reservations during crab season, this is a convenient spot where you can drop in casually to enjoy crab and various local flavors.
Local
Supporter
A welcome presence whenever you want to eat authentic crab dishes all year round. There is also a full menu of seasonal items other than crab, such as "Today's Recommendations."
- Kaisen Ichiba Ryori Ichinokura Katamachi Branch
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- 2F APA Katamachi Dai-3 Bldg., 1-6-13 Katamachi, Kanazawa City MAP
- Approx. 15 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
- Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station and get off at "Katamachi"; about a 1-minute walk
- 17:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:30), Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 16:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
- Open every day *Subject to temporary closures
- 076-263-9898
- Reservations are recommended for weekends
5Tsubajin
Enjoy a luxurious early morning "crab porridge" at a long-established ryotei.
Boasting a history of approximately 350 years, this is Kanazawa's oldest ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant), preserving the essence of Kaga cuisine. At this establishment, you can enjoy a slightly luxurious breakfast. Once seated at a window table with a panoramic view of the city, including the Sai River and Kenrokuen Garden, you will first be served the "first tray" (ichi no zen), featuring dishes such as rolled omelet gently wrapped in the aroma of sea lettuce and melt-in-your-mouth soft tofu.
After enjoying a meal while hearing about the shop's history and the thoughts put into the dishes, the next course served is the star of the show: "crab porridge." It is a gem of a dish that uses crab meat luxuriously in a kelp broth made from roasted crab shells. With just one bite, the rich flavor of the crab spreads gently in your mouth.
Enjoy seasonal crab and spectacular views. A blissful moment to savor with all five senses.
The crab used in the crab porridge changes with the season: "Kobako crab" from November to December, "Kano crab" or red snow crab from January to March, and red snow crab or local crab during other periods. Two bowls of crab porridge are served, each with a different twist; for example, the second bowl of Kobako crab porridge is topped with a concentrated dashi-based sauce and soto-ko (crab roe). It is a profound flavor where the smoothness of the porridge meets the texture of the roe. You can also enjoy a change in flavor by adding sea lettuce or homemade shio-koji (salted rice malt) to your liking.
A space where aesthetics reside in everything, from the tableware and hospitality to the view from the window. Why not start your day with a blissful breakfast while gazing at the seasonal cityscape of Kanazawa?
Local
Supporter
In addition to breakfast, we also offer lunch and dinner kaiseki courses. Once you have experienced the delicate charm of Kaga cuisine through our crab porridge, please be sure to try our lunch or dinner kaiseki on your next visit.
- Tsubajin
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- 5-1-8 Teramachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 20 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
- Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Hirokoji", and walk for about 3 minutes
- 7:00–21:00
Morning porridge (crab porridge) 7:00 / 8:00 / 9:00 / 10:00 *7:00 is scheduled to open sequentially
Lunch 11:00–15:00 (L.O. 13:00) / Dinner 17:00–21:00 (L.O. 19:00) - Irregular holidays
- 076-241-2181
- Reservation required via website
A blissful crab kaiseki meal to be savored at the hot spring ryokan "KAI Kaga"
Nestled in Yamashiro Onsen, "KAI Kaga" is a hot spring inn where you can immerse yourself in Kaga culture.
A specialty you can only taste here is the "Crab Shimenawa Steamed." This dynamic dish, steamed by wrapping the crab in salt-water-soaked rope, has an exceptional visual impact. By slowly cooking it through the rope, the crab's umami is tightly condensed, resulting in a surprisingly plump and tender texture.
Why not take a short trip from the gourmet city of Kanazawa for a luxurious winter journey to fully enjoy crab along with historic, famous hot springs?
MAP
- Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
Local supporter in charge of this article
- Ayumi HoriyasuA curious city explorer!
OMO5 Kanazawa Katamachi
Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Katamachi, Kanazawa's number one gourmet town. It is conveniently located for accessing Kanazawa's representative tourist attractions.
Access About a 4-minute walk from the "Korinbo" bus stop
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥5,200
KAI Kaga
Yamashiro Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture
A traditional Kaga hot spring inn where new sensibilities breathe. The traditional architecture building with its impressive red-patterned lattice is a registered tangible cultural property of Japan.
Access About 10 minutes by taxi from Kagaonsen Station on the IR Ishikawa Railway
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥19,000