Hirosaki, Aomori, Tsugaru (Aomori)
Local Guide
[Aomori, Hirosaki] 2 Unique Lunch Spots Worth the Trip

From seafood from Mutsu Bay to beef and pork raised on spacious farms, as well as freshly harvested vegetables and fruits, Aomori Prefecture is rich in delicious ingredients.
Finding lunch spots that make generous use of local ingredients is one of the joys of traveling. Here are two places in Hirosaki, Aomori, and Kuroishi that you’ll definitely want to visit for lunch.

A famous tonkatsu restaurant hidden in a residential area

Mixed Fry Set Meal
Mixed Fry Set Meal

Despite their location in a residential area far from the center of Hirosaki City, many people visit these restaurants for their tonkatsu and fries. The secret of the delicious taste is the Aomori brand pork "Yamazaki Pork" used for tonkatsu. The fat has a firm sweetness but is not greasy, and the combination of the crispy batter and juicy meat is exquisite. The tonkatsu sauce is an original mixture of syrup and ketchup. In addition to the loin katsu and filet set menus, the "mixed fry set meal," which includes filet, fried shrimp, and fried squid, is also popular.

Tonkatsu prepared by a former French chef is very popular!

Bright and comfortable interior. In addition to table seating, there is also a small dining room.
Bright and comfortable interior. In addition to table seating, there is also a small dining room.

The owner is a former French chef. He boasts an impressive career, having worked at famous hotels and a catering company that serves the Imperial Household Agency, where he was responsible for the cuisine at garden parties.A single plate, featuring tonkatsu and colorful vegetables beautifully arranged on simple “Tsugaru Kanayama-yaki” pottery, is the epitome of his French culinary expertise. The restaurant’s attention to detail—such as the inclusion of a small dessert—is evident, and it’s easy to see why it has become a popular spot loved by people of all ages and genders.

Local Guide
Supporters

Very tender and tasty pork cutlet, even the fat is delicious. Yuzu sherbet for dessert is perfect after fried food!

Tonkatsu Manpuku
  • Address 1-1-6 Oaza-Fukumura, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori MAP
  • Direction 13 minutes by cab from JR Hirosaki Station
  • Business Hours Tue, Sat, Sun 11:00 AM–2:00 PM; Mon, Thu, Fri 11:00 AM–2:00 PM, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (Last Order 7:30 PM)
  • Closed Days Closed on Wednesdays and the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month
  • TEL 090-1493-5189
  • Parking Free of charge

Many repeaters come back for the tempting "Aburi Tendon" (bowl of rice topped with tempura and seasoned seafood).

The tempura rice bowl set comes with a mini-sized serving of Sanuki udon
The tempura rice bowl set comes with a mini-sized serving of Sanuki udon

We recommend the "Aburi Tendon", which can be found only here, even if you search all over Japan. As the name suggests, the tempura is grilled over a gas burner, which gives the tempura batter a crispy texture, and the aroma of the sauce fills the air, just like grilled chicken or broiled eel.
You can have the tempura "grilled" for free even while you are eating it, which is recommended when you want to change the texture and flavor. The sauce is not too sweet and has a crispy taste so that it does not become too strong even if you grill it. You can add as much sauce as you like, or sprinkle shichimi (seven spices) on top to create your own favorite flavor.

Local Guide
Supporters

When you scorch the crispy tempura, you can enjoy the change in flavor with a new savory taste!

Tendon bowls featuring seasonal seafood are also popular.

The owner fries the tempura bowl with a gas burner.
The owner fries the tempura bowl with a gas burner.

The classic tempura rice bowl is generously filled with two shrimp and four kinds of vegetable tempura. For women, a mini-size option with a smaller portion of rice is also available. Additionally, tempura rice bowls featuring seasonal seafood such as scallops, fish milt, genuine snow crab, Sanriku conger eel, and firefly squid are immensely popular among regulars.
The owner has many years of experience working at Japanese restaurants in Tokyo, so the restaurant serves tempura rice bowls for lunch and an omakase course in the evening—available exclusively by reservation, limited to one party per day. Located right next to Aomori Station, it’s easily accessible for business travelers and tourists alike.

Tenjun
  • Address 1-3-24 Yasukata, Aomori-shi, Aomori MAP
  • Direction 2 min. walk from Aomori Station
  • Business Hours 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 6:30 PM–10:00 PM (Reservations required for dinner)
  • Closed Days Sun & Mon (Irregular holidays)
  • TEL Aomori-shi, Aomori-shi, Aomori-ken
  • Parking None

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.