Local Guide
From long-established restaurants to restaurants with long lines. Recommended Local Gourmet Spots for Lunch in Kochi City

Surrounded by both sea and mountains, Kochi Prefecture has a rich culinary culture. On the Pacific Ocean side, the Kuroshio Current carries a wide variety of seafood, and the clear waters of the Shimanto and Niyodo Rivers nurture a diverse culinary culture. In this issue, we introduce gourmet spots in Kochi City where you can enjoy Kochi's gastronomy for lunch. From soul food loved by locals to local cuisine from long-established restaurants that have been in business for over 100 years, we have carefully selected only the best restaurants that are popular among locals.

Hot nabeyaki ramen served in an earthenware pot

Nabeyaki Ramen comes in three sizes, from half a bowl (660 yen) to extra large (1.5 bowls). Rice is available from 100 yen for a small portion.
Nabeyaki Ramen comes in three sizes, from half a bowl (660 yen) to extra large (1.5 bowls). Rice is available from 100 yen for a small portion.

This restaurant specializes in nabeyaki ramen, a local delicacy that is said to have been created in Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture, shortly after World War II. Nabeyaki Ramen is a nostalgic dish with a chicken stock-based soy sauce broth, chewy thin noodles, chicken meat, raw egg, and chikuwa. The soup is served piping hot in an earthenware pot and has been called the hottest ramen in Japan. The soup is light, but hasa rich flavor. The accompanying slightly sour pickles reset the palate.

Rice is a must with nabeyaki ramen. It is even more satisfying when tasted together!

Located near JR Kochi Station, this restaurant is easily accessible. The restaurant is filled with the delicious aroma of chicken broth.
Located near JR Kochi Station, this restaurant is easily accessible. The restaurant is filled with the delicious aroma of chicken broth.

The menu is extremely simple, consisting only of nabeyaki ramen, rice, and chanja. The restaurant recommends that you open the lid of the bowl of nabeyaki ramen the moment it arrives at the table and shovel in the hot noodle. The noodles are glutinous and chewy, and tend to stretch easily, so first enjoy the noodles and soup thoroughly. After that, you can either break up the raw egg and enjoy it, or add rice and taste it like zosui (rice porridge).
The soup has a deep, rich, umami flavor unique to oyadori (chicken), and the crisp soy sauce makes it a deeply flavorful dish. It is a dish with a deep, rich, umami taste unique to oyadori (chicken) soup, with a tangy soy sauce flavor that makes you want to drink up every last drop.

Local Guide Comment
For those who eat small portions, we recommend ordering the Nabeyaki Ramen with a small portion of rice. You can enjoy the true taste of Nabiyaki Ramen only when you taste it with rice.
Nabeyaki Ramen Senju
  • Address 2-15-11 Shinhonmachi, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  • Direction Approx. 4 min. walk from JR Kochi Station
  • Business hours 11:00~L.O.15:00, 18:00~L.O.21:00
  • Closed Monday *Open if Monday is a national holiday, closed the following day
  • TEL 088-823-0007
  • Parking None

The taste is doubled if you eat it with rice. Enjoy the new sensation of ramen noodles!

Jan-men
Jan-men" is 980 yen. After eating noodles, we recommend adding rice (from 150 yen) and tasting the red bean paste.

Jang-men" was created based on the concept of ramen that goes well with rice, and is a popular side dish at the long-established yakiniku restaurant "Manshu-ken" in Shimanto Town, Kochi Prefecture. Manshu's main branch opened in 2015 as a restaurant specializing in serving jan-men.

Jang-men is a hearty bowl of thin, straight Chinese noodles topped with a generous amount of bean paste containing hormone, egg, garlic, chives, and chili peppers. At first glance, it looks spicy, but the flavor of each ingredient soaks into the bean paste, and the fluffy egg makes it mildly spicy enough for children to eat.

Izakaya menu also available at night

In addition to counter seating, the restaurant also has a small tatami room for customers with children.
In addition to counter seating, the restaurant also has a small tatami room for customers with children.

In addition to the standard jang-men, there are other variations using ankake soup, such as "tamago otoshi jang-men" with a raw egg, "jang-udon" using udon instead of Chinese noodles, and "jang-han" with rice instead of noodles. In each case, you can choose half the amount of noodles or rice, adjust the spiciness, add more hormone or green onion, or make other arrangements to your own taste.

The izakaya menu is also available only at night, featuring dishes such as fried hormone, fried seseri, and motsu nabe (hot pot with vegetables), all of which are sure to be a hit with alcohol lovers. Both day and night, the menu offers a variety of hearty and satisfying dishes that will keep you entertained.

Local Guide Comment
The hidden favorite, "Columbus' rice with egg," is also a superb dish. The eggs are made from "Columbus' tea eggs," which are raised on tea leaves produced in Kochi Prefecture. The yolk is rich and tasteless, making you love the egg over rice even more.
Manchu Main Store
  • Address 9-3 Shiromi-cho, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  • Direction 8 min. drive from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 3 min. walk from Tosaden Kotsu Houei-cho Station.
  • Direction Approx. 4 min. walk from "Naenba" bus stop after taking a local bus from JR Kochi Station.
  • Business hours 11:00 - L.O. 14:45, 17:00 - 21:00
    Lunch on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 11:00-15:00
  • Closed Wednesday
  • TEL 088-855-5889
  • Parking Free of charge

The "grilled mackerel sushi" prepared by a long-established caterer is a must-try!

Yaki Saba Sushi (grilled mackerel sushi) 2,200 yen per piece, half 1,100 yen; Inaka Sushi (vegetable sushi) 680 yen; Yukke (whale sashimi) 1,500 yen.
Yaki Saba Sushi (grilled mackerel sushi) 2,200 yen per piece, half 1,100 yen; Inaka Sushi (vegetable sushi) 680 yen; Yukke (whale sashimi) 1,500 yen.

Founded in 1961, this is a long-established restaurant specializing in sarabachi cuisine. A dish called "sahachi ryori" is a banquet dish consisting of sashimi, sushi, fried dishes, simmered dishes, and a variety of other Kochi delicacies served on a large platter.

Catering Restaurant Andou offers a la carte dishes that go well with sake, as well as rice dishes that will fill you up. One of the signature dishes is the "grilled mackerel sushi" using a whole fresh mackerel. The fatty mackerel and Kochi's unique yunosu vinegared rice are a perfect match, making this dish a favorite among repeat customers. The savory aroma of the seared mackerel whets the appetite.

A wide variety of dishes that are perfect not only as a meal, but also as a snack!

Located in the
Located in the "Hirome Market," the storefront is always bustling with activity. After purchasing products, customers can eat them at a shared table in the market.

Since the restaurant is located in Hirome Market, it offers many dishes typical of Kochi using whale, moray eel, and bonito. The "Whale Sashimi Yukke" made from a rare part of whale, which is rarely found in the market, is a must-try dish when you find it. The restaurant also offers a variety of menu items using bonito, such as "bonito tataki" and "Tosa maki" (rolled sushi), and we recommend that you make a lunch set by combining your favorite dishes. Highballs and sours made with Kochi's specialty citrus fruits such as yuzu, buchu kan, and konatsu are also available, so you can toast with a refreshing drink.

Local Guide Comment
Mackerel sushi, the star of Tosa's Sara-bachi cuisine. The grilled mackerel sushi, which is the pride of Andou Hirome Ichiba, is very popular and often sold out early in the day. We recommend that you aim for around 12:00 p.m., when there is a full lineup of products.
Catering Restaurant Andou, Hirome Ichiba Branch
  • Address 2-3-1 Obiyacho, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  • Direction 8 min. drive from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 3 min. walk from Tosaden Kotsu Ohashi-dori Stn.
  • Direction Approx. 3 min. walk from Ohashi-dori bus stop after taking a local bus from JR Kochi Station.
  • Business hours Open 11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:30, 10:00-21:00 on Saturdays and Sundays
  • Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
  • TEL 088-883-1000
  • Parking Paying a fee (Hirome Market)

The bold and beautifully arranged dishes are a surprise. Sashimi set menus with outstanding freshness

Sashimi Set Meal
Sashimi Set Meal" 1,920 yen, including four kinds of sashimi, three small potted dishes, pickles, rice, and miso soup (the type of sashimi and sashimi sashimi changes daily).

The restaurant is well known for its hearty and high-cost set menus. The restaurant offers a menu of about 50 different set menus using fresh fish caught in the surrounding seas and local brand meat.

Among the many dishes on the menu, the best is the sashimi set meal. The moment it is served, you will be surprised by the bold presentation of the sashimi. Each piece of sashimi is very thick and filling. Four types of sashimi change daily, and bonito sashimi is sometimes served. You will have to wait until you visit to find out what kind of fish is in season.

High quality and reasonable prices are realized through our own procurement channels.

The restaurant has a high ceiling and an open atmosphere. At lunch time, the atmosphere is as lively as that of a market.
The restaurant has a high ceiling and an open atmosphere. At lunch time, the atmosphere is as lively as that of a market.

The restaurant is spacious, with about 100 seats at the counter, which is great for solo diners, and 100 seats at tables, which can also be used by groups. On weekends, the restaurant is crowded with families.
Nishimura Shoten" has three affiliated restaurants, and is able to purchase large quantities of fresh fish and other items auctioned off at the market three times a day (morning, noon, and evening) through a unique route. This allows us to offer not only freshness and quality, but also reasonable prices. The set meal menu, which is sure to fill both your stomach and your heart, can be ordered in the evening at the same price as lunch, making it a place you can rely on when you want to eat with gusto.

Local Guide Comment
The main side dishes of set menus, such as chicken nanban and Shimanto pork gingerbread, are also offered as a la carte menu items. You can enjoy them with alcohol or have a set meal when you want to eat well. The ease of use is another reason for the restaurant's popularity.
Market Restaurant Nishimura Shoten
  • Address 2-7-20 Kuzushima, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 min. drive from JR Kochi Stn.
    2 min. walk from Tosaden Kotsu Kenritsu Bijutsukan Dori Stn.
  • Direction Approx. 1 min. walk from Nishitakasu-dori bus stop after taking a local bus from JR Kochi Stn.
  • Business hours 11:00-15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:30-20:30 (L.O. 20:00)
    Saturdays ~ 21:00 (L.O.20:30)
  • Closed Dinner on Tuesday
  • TEL 088-855-8794
  • Parking Free of charge

Tonkatsu made with "Shimanto Pork Rice Pork" has sweet fat and is moist and juicy!

The
The "Extra-Top Loin and Top Fin Shabu Burian" is 3,000 yen. If you are not sure which one to choose, try the popular ribeye and filet set first!

This restaurant specializes in tonkatsu made from "Shimanto Pork Rice Pork," a brand-name pork from Kochi Prefecture. Raised on Niida rice, the Shimanto Pork Rice Pork has an aroma and sweetness to its fat and tenderness to its meat.
The tonkatsu comes in three types: ribeye, loin, and fillet. The pork is cut to order, coated with specially designed breadcrumbs, and deep-fried slowly in low-temperature oil for about 15 minutes. Since the oil used for frying is 100% lard, the flavor and aroma of the pork is exceptional. It is served with four kinds of salt, wasabi (Japanese horseradish), or buntan mustard.

Open only for lunch. Be prepared to wait in line!

The white brick is a landmark. The restaurant offers both counter and table seating.
The white brick is a landmark. The restaurant offers both counter and table seating.

After opening in 2021, the restaurant quickly became popular. Some days there is a line out the door when the restaurant opens, but you can reserve a seat only if you arrive at 11:00 a.m.

In addition to tonkatsu, the menu includes fried oysters, fried prawns, minced pork cutlets, crab cream croquettes, and other fried dishes to be enjoyed in addition to tonkatsu. The tonkatsu are also available in three sizes, large, medium, and small, so you can choose according to how hungry you are. Open only during lunch hours, this is a great restaurant to find time to visit.

Local Guide Comment
Olive oil is available on the table. In fact, olive oil and salt are recommended as a way to enjoy tonkatsu even more. You might expect it to be oily, but it is surprisingly refreshing. Try it!
Beni Ton Porukoroso
  • Address 20-34 Takasone, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 20 min. walk from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 6 min. by car from JR Kochi Station
  • Direction Approx. 6 min. walk from Minami-kawazoe bus stop after taking a local bus from "Kochi Ekimae".
  • Business hours 11:00 - 14:00 (L.O. 13:30) *Close when sold out
  • Closed Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and irregular holidays
  • TEL 080-9839-2099
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo Seat reservations are accepted by phone or on Instagram. No phone calls during business hours.

A famous restaurant where you can enjoy the tradition and history of Tosa cuisine established over 100 years ago.

The
The "Kuroshio Set Meal" (2,800 yen) offers typical Tosa cuisine.

Founded in 1917, the restaurant is so famous that there is no one who does not know about it in the local area. It is also known as the restaurant that gave the name "Tosa Ryori" to Kochi's cuisine, which includes not only bonito tataki, but also saabachi, a dish of seafood from the sea, mountains, and rivers.

During lunch time, the restaurant offers a set meal menu so that customers can casually enjoy Tosa cuisine. The "Kuroshio Set Meal" includes a variety of dishes such as the signature "bonito tataki," "utsubo tataki," "katsuo croquette," "whale cutlet," and "Yamato-ni-ni" (simmered whale meat), all of which can be enjoyed in small portions. The restaurant's stable taste is loved by men and women of all ages, thanks to the reliable techniques and discernment that only a long-established restaurant can offer.

The restaurant's prestigious interior evokes the history and traditions of Tosa.

The interior of the restaurant is beautifully decorated with furnishings throughout. The photo shows table seating on the third floor.
The interior of the restaurant is beautifully decorated with furnishings throughout. The photo shows table seating on the third floor.

For those who want to enjoy Tosa cuisine more thoroughly, a special lunchtime course called "Tosa Nikki (from 2 persons, reservation required at least 2 days in advance)" is also available. It is a sumptuous course that includes about seven dishes from appetizers to mizugashi. You can enjoy the seasonal taste of Kochi slowly and to your heart's content.

The building is five stories high with Tosa plaster walls. The restaurant is decorated with traditional craftsmanship throughout, creating a prestigious atmosphere. In addition to table seating, there are a variety of seating options, including private rooms that can accommodate two people or more, depending on the occasion.

Local Guide Comment
The restaurant is so famous that it is also used for important dinners such as celebrations, anniversaries, and congratulatory events due to its prestigious and relaxed atmosphere. If you want to taste traditional Tosa cuisine, which has been loved by the locals for a long time, this is the first place you should visit.
Tosa Ryori Tsukasa Kochi Honten
  • Address 1-2-15 Harimaya-cho, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  • Direction 12 min. walk from JR Kochi Station
    1 min. walk from Tosaden Kotsu Tosaden Kosoku Harimayabashi Sta.
  • Direction From JR Kochi Station, take a local bus. 3 min. walk from Kita Harimayabashi bus stop.
  • Hours of Operation 12:00 - 15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:00 - 21:30 (L.O. 20:30)
    Lunch on Sundays and holidays is served from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • TEL 088-873-4351
  • Parking None

Enjoy "Chicken Nanban," a hidden specialty of Kochi

The
The "Chicken Nanban Set Meal" (1,300 yen) includes soup and rice. You can choose from five sizes of rice, from very small to large.

Chicken Nanban" is the soul food of the people of Kochi Prefecture. Chicken nanban in Miyazaki is generally famous, but it is actually a highly popular menu item in Kochi as well, and its most distinctive feature is that it is served with aurora sauce instead of tartar sauce.

Among restaurants that serve chicken nanban, the most popular by far is Tori Shin Honten. The specialty "Chicken Nanban" is made from a single piece of chicken thigh. The skin is battered and deep-fried until crispy and fragrant, then dipped in sweet vinegar and topped with a generous amount of Aurora Borealis sauce. The flavor and refreshing sourness blend together in the mouth, whetting the appetite.

The time it takes to wait in line is also the essence of deliciousness!

The restaurant is spacious with counter seats, table seats, and kotatsu seats
The restaurant is spacious with counter seats, table seats, and kotatsu seats

The restaurant is popular with a long line of customers every day, especially during lunch time when the line can extend outside the restaurant. For lunch, it is recommended to visit just after the restaurant opens or a little after lunch time.

In addition to the most popular chicken nanban, the restaurant offers a variety of other chicken dishes, including the second most popular "vinegared sauce," which is deep-fried chicken topped with vinegar and soy sauce and condiments, "vinegared chicken," a chicken version of vinegared pork, and "fried chicken," a large, hearty, and satisfying dish. Take-out is also very popular among the locals. Be prepared to wait in line to try the delicious chicken nanban that has captured the stomachs of Kochi Prefecture residents.

Local Guide Comment
The restaurant has about 70 seats, so the line can go surprisingly fast. Moreover, the basic rule is that food is served within about 10 minutes after an order is placed (depending on the situation). Even if the line is long, it is worth it.
Torishin (Torishin) Main branch
  • Address 15-3 Minamikawazoe, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  • Direction 7 min. drive from JR Kochi Station
  • Direction Take a local bus from "Kochi Ekimae" and get off at "Kita Goza" bus stop. 1 minute walk from the bus stop.
  • Business hours 11:00~14:00 (L.O.13:45), 17:30~21:30 (L.O.21:00)
  • Closed Wednesday
  • TEL 088-883-8501
  • Parking Free of charge

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.