Local Guide
Take the time to immerse yourself in the flavors of your destination. 6 recommended lunches in Kanazawa Katamachi

Located in the heart of Kanazawa, Katamachi offers a wide variety of restaurants that offer unique gourmet foods, including restaurants boasting local delicacies, long-established restaurants that continue to be loved by local customers, and new restaurants that have recently opened. Here are some selected lunches in the Katamachi area, including some of the best restaurants you must visit if you travel to Kanazawa.

Famous restaurant for Hanton Rice, Kanazawa's soul food.

Hanton Rice
Hanton Rice" 1,030 yen, "Petit Salad" 380 yen, "Cream Soup" 550 yen

The "Hanton Rice" is a must at this long-established Western-style restaurant that has been a favorite since its establishment in 1957. Originating as a makanai rice dish at a now defunct Western-style restaurant, Hanton Rice is now an indispensable dish as Kanazawa's local delicacy.
The omelette rice is topped with two pieces of fried marlin tuna (white fish) and two small fried shrimps, making it a hearty dish. The creamy tartar sauce and ketchup intertwine perfectly, and you will be impressed with every bite. It will leave you feeling quite full, so if you are worried about your appetite, we recommend the smaller size.

Now in its third generation! Enjoy authentic dishes prepared with a lot of time and effort at this long-established Western-style restaurant

Classic and elegant table seating
Classic and elegant table seating

Another popular dish is the "cream soup." It is based on onions and has a simple, gentle flavor. For a break from Hanton Rice, we recommend the "Petit Salad," which is made with vegetables mainly from the local area. It is served with a refreshing dressing that has remained unchanged since the establishment of the restaurant.
In addition, the "Ginger-yaki Set Meal," "Doria Style Tambal Rice," and "Grilled Chicken" are also available, making the restaurant's broad lineup appealing. Please enjoy your meal in a nostalgic space with a hint of Showa-era atmosphere.

Local Guide Comment
When you lift up the fried Hunton rice, an egg sticks to the rice, but this is done with care so that you can eat it without spilling it. Enjoy the collaboration of the exquisitely fluffy half-boiled egg and fries.
Grill Otsuka
  • Address 2-9-15 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 9 minutes from JR Kanazawa Station by car.
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Korinbo and walk about 4 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 11:00-15:30, 17:00-20:30 (L.O. 19:50)
  • Closed Wednesday
  • TEL 076-221-2646
  • Parking No parking *Pay parking is available in the vicinity.

Collaboration of Katsu-don (pork cutlet served on top of a bowl of rice) and curry with pork cutlet

Mixed rice bowl
Mixed rice bowl" 900 yen, "Coquille roll (small plate)" 750 yen

The long-established Western-style restaurant, which has maintained its unchanged taste since its establishment in 1938, recommends the "mixed rice bowl. It is a great value dish that combines the famous "Sara Katsu Don" and the popular "Katsu Curry" in a single dish.
The sweet red bean paste mixed with onion and egg and the rich curry simmered for more than 8 hours go well together when mixed together. The deep-fried pork cutlet is crispy yet tender due to the ground meat inside. Another nice point is the reasonable price in spite of the generous portion.

A long-established Western-style restaurant with many fans from generations of parents and children

The reddish-purple colored chairs create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The reddish-purple colored chairs create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Don't forget to try the other specialty, the coquille roll. Inside the batter hides an egg cream sauce wrapped in pork loin. The nostalgic sweetness will make you addicted to it. The crispy batter, the elasticity of the meat, and the rich texture of the boiled egg and creamy sauce are a surprise.
The "Hanton Rice" and "Yakimeshi" are also popular. The restaurant has many fans from generations of parents and children, and there are constant calls of love from local customers who frequent the restaurant.

Local Guide Comment
Currently, Chieko Nakamura, the fourth generation of the family, is preserving the traditional taste. Chieko's smiling face is soothing, and the atmosphere is also appealing.
Grill Nakamuraya
  • Address 4-20 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa, Ishikawa MAP
  • Direction 11 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Korinbo and walk about 4 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 11:00-15:00 *Sometimes closes early
  • Closed Thursdays
  • TEL 076-221-3512
  • Parking No parking *Pay parking is available in the vicinity.

Surimi dishes that offer an encounter with the unknown are a must-try!

Ageda gozen
Ageda gozen" 1,500 yen

A restaurant specializing in surimi dishes, where there is always a long line of customers. Surimi, which often plays a supporting role, becomes the star here, captivating the hearts of visitors while drawing out the rich potential of surimi.
There is only one purpose for visiting the restaurant at lunch time: to try the famous "Kaisen Manju" (seafood bun). The "Ageha Gozen" includes the famous "Kaisen Manju", Satsuma-age, sashimi, seafood kimchi, a small bowl of cooked food, rice, and soup. The "Kaisen Manju" can be ordered separately. The ingredients of the manjuu change with the seasons, and you can enjoy elaborate flavors such as "Shiroebi Kakiage Manju" and "Marron Shrimp Manju".

No wonder people have to wait in line. Take your time to savor every last bite!

The food is exceptional when enjoyed in conversation with the owner, who is full of good humor.
The food is exceptional when enjoyed in conversation with the owner, who is full of good humor.

The "Satsuma-age" is freshly fried and hot, and you will be surprised at its high quality. The fluffy texture and mouth-watering flavor will surely become addictive. The fresh sashimi made from locally caught fish is just as delicious as the surimi.
Free refills of rice are available. We recommend that you refill your rice and eat it as dashi chazuke with more leftover seafood kimchi. Conversation with the talkative owner is also a specialty of this restaurant, making it a unique place where you can enjoy your meal.

Local Guide Comment
During major holidays, the store has sold out with only a long line of customers waiting in line before opening. Be aware that the store is closed on many days due to the owner's schedule. It is better to call before visiting.
Ageha
  • Address 1F Hirosaka Palace, 1-1-28 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa MAP
  • Direction 12 min. drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Korinbo and walk about 4 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 11:30 - 15:00 (close when all the food is gone), 18:00 - 22:00 (reservation required)
  • Regular holiday Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday *Closed irregularly
  • TEL 090-8260-2995
  • Parking No parking *Pay parking is available in the vicinity.
  • Memo Reservations required for dinner

Authentic Japanese cuisine at casual prices. A restaurant for connoisseurs who want to keep their secrets.

Buri Steak Bowl Lunch
Buri Steak Bowl Lunch" 1,200 yen

A Japanese dining bar where the chef, who has experience at a Michelin two-star Japanese restaurant and a high-class ryokan (Japanese-style inn), shows his skills. It is popular for its authentic yet reasonably priced Japanese cuisine.
The signature lunch menu "Buri Steak Donburi Lunch" comes with two small bowls of cooked food, chilled tofu, miso soup, and pickles, and is very satisfying in terms of nutrition and variety. The two thick slices of buri, well seasoned with sweet homemade sauce, are crispy on the outside and plump on the inside. The daikon radish ken (a kind of radish that is sandwiched between the rice and the yellowtail) accentuates the flavor of the yellowtail and adds a delightful texture to the dish.

Fresh seafood and a la carte dishes to go with your drinks at lunch time.

Calm counter seating with a Western feel despite being a Japanese restaurant
Calm counter seating with a Western feel despite being a Japanese restaurant

The "Salmon Meuniere Lunch" and "Sashimi Lunch" are also popular on the lunch menu, which includes fresh seafood from Kanazawa Port. The "Sea bream kabuto lunch," which you are lucky enough to encounter, is available in limited quantities.
It is also nice to be able to order popular nighttime dishes such as "fried sweet shrimp" and "seafood carpaccio" during lunch time. With a wide variety of alcohol available, this is the perfect place to have a drink during the day.

Local Guide Comment
The store's interior has a relaxed atmosphere, and you can wander in by yourself. Please enjoy the owner's skillful Japanese cuisine in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
Japanese Dining Shirobe
  • Address Niwa Building 1F, 111 Tatemachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa MAP
  • Direction 12 min. drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Katamachi" and walk about 5 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 11:00 - 14:00 (L.O.), 18:00 - 22:00 (L.O.)
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • TEL 090-9607-8815
  • Parking No parking *Pay parking is available in the vicinity.

Enjoy our reasonably priced pasta lunch.

Weekday lunch menu: 1,000 yen
Weekday lunch menu: 1,000 yen

This Italian restaurant is prepared by a chef who has accumulated training in Rome, Milan, Tuscany, and other parts of Italy while traveling around the country. The weekday lunch menu, which includes pasta, salad, homemade focaccia, and an after-meal drink, costs only 1,000 yen and is very satisfying.
You can choose from two types of pasta, which change weekly. The restaurant offers reasonably priced yet carefully prepared work without pretension, and is popular among local residents as an office lunch.

Upgrade a little on weekends for a rewarding lunch!

Relaxing counter seating made of a single piece of wood
Relaxing counter seating made of a single piece of wood

The weekend-only "Pasta Lunch" (3,300 yen), a slightly more luxurious version of the weekday lunch, is also popular. For those who want to enjoy a leisurely, luxurious lunch alone, counter seating is recommended. For those who want to enjoy a leisurely and luxurious lunch alone, we recommend taking a seat at the counter, where you can enjoy a quiet lunch in a chic and relaxing space with a view of the open kitchen.
The name of the restaurant means "listen" in Italian, which is a polite translation of the word "listen" that he often heard when he was training in Italy.

Local Guide Comment
For dinner, you can enjoy a la carte and course menus that use locally caught wild game and local products, as well as authentic Italian cuisine.
ASCOLT
  • Address 2-12 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 12 min. drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Hirosaka/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art" and walk about 4 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 11:30-15:00 (L.O. 14:00), 18:00-23:00 (L.O. 21:30)
  • Regular holiday Closed for lunch on Sundays and the 3rd Tuesday of the month
  • TEL 076-260-0838
  • Parking No parking *Pay parking is available in the vicinity.

An impressive dish that brings out the best of the ingredients

Legendary Lettuce Fried Rice
Legendary Lettuce Fried Rice" 1,200 yen, "Zenryo Gyoza" 400 yen

Founded in 1990. This is a famous Chinese restaurant that was established in 1990. You can fully enjoy the unique taste of this restaurant, which uses a variety of local ingredients such as Kaga vegetables and fresh Hokuriku seafood.
The "Legendary Lettuce Fried Rice," which has sold over 2 million servings, is a luxurious dish that uses a whole cup of red snow crab. The airy, melt-in-your-mouth fried rice is accented with the crunchy texture of lettuce, making it an exquisite dish. Enjoy a dish that will impress you with every bite.

1.5 million "Zensho Gyoza" sold in the past 50 years!

Take your time to savor at the counter in the open kitchen
Take your time to savor at the counter in the open kitchen

Zen Laughing Gyoza," which was voted "the best ordered gyoza in Japan" by gyoza fanatics and was the talk of the town on TV, has been receiving an endless stream of phone calls immediately after the broadcast, and is so popular that 3,000 gyoza were sold out in three minutes. The handmade dough is filled with a filling of vegetables, and the sweetness of the vegetables is well worth the effort. The sweetness of the vegetables can be felt in the filling, which is a nice touch.
The taste that can only be achieved by sticking to handmade products is a must-try. The live performance from the open kitchen is also a must-see, and you can feel the excitement even before the food is served.

Local Guide Comment
Each dish is generous in volume, so we recommend sharing if you want to eat a lot. The "mapo tofu" (1,400 yen) and "shrimp chili" (1,600 yen) are also excellent. In the evening, half-size portions are also available for solo diners.
50-year old gyoza and addictive mapo tofu All open mouth laughs
  • Address 5-7 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa, Ishikawa MAP
  • Direction 12 min. drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Korinbo and walk about 4 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 11:30 - 14:00 (Open only on Sat. and Sun.), 18:00 - 21:30
  • Closed Mon.
  • TEL 076-222-4262
  • Parking No parking *Pay parking is available in the vicinity.
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.