Carefully selected casual lunches, from Hamamatsu gyoza to renowned local favorites
Hamamatsu gyoza is a specialty that rivals the city's iconic eel. In recent years, it has become firmly established as a local flavor, consistently competing for the top spot in annual gyoza expenditure, and has become a staple local gourmet dish for tourists as well. We recommend enjoying these local flavors, including gyoza, at a reasonable price by having them for a casual lunch. Here, we introduce highly-rated lunch spots, including famous gyoza restaurants and popular local udon and soba shops.
1Ishimatsu JR Hamamatsu Station Branch
It is said that there are about 80 gyoza specialty shops in Hamamatsu. Among them, one you cannot miss is "Ishimatsu," known as the originator of Hamamatsu gyoza. Founded in front of Hamamatsu Station in 1953, it now has its main store in the northern part of the city. You can easily enjoy the original taste near the station at the JR Hamamatsu Station branch, located on the 1st floor of May-One, which is directly connected to Hamamatsu Station. They faithfully adhere to the basics of Hamamatsu gyoza, such as using a filling made mainly of cabbage and pork without Chinese cabbage or garlic chives, and the style of arranging the gyoza in a circle with boiled bean sprouts in the center (Ishimatsu Gyoza, 20 pieces).
The birthplace of Hamamatsu gyoza served with bean sprouts
When you take a bite of the thin skin, which is grilled to a fragrant crisp with sesame oil, the sweetness of the cabbage and the umami of the pork melt together and spread throughout your mouth. It is characterized by a light yet addictive taste, and the secret is said to be in the "secret binder" created by the first generation. Once you dip them in the special vinegar soy sauce, you won't be able to stop eating.
Local
Supporter
These gyoza highlight the natural sweetness of cabbage. Located on the first floor of the station, it's easy to enjoy Hamamatsu gyoza even during short visits or when you're pressed for time.
- Ishimatsu JR Hamamatsu Station Branch
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1F May-One Eki-machi West, inside Hamamatsu Station, 6-1 Sunayama-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP 
A short walk from directly in front of the Hamamatsu Station ticket gate
11:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
Open every day
053-415-8655
Paid
2Mutsu-giku
It is located in a convenient spot about a 3-minute walk from the south side of JR Hamamatsu Station. Founded in 1962, it is a shop that has been selling gyoza since before there were almost any gyoza specialty shops in Hamamatsu City, and the current store opened after relocating in 2011. On holidays, there is often a line as soon as it opens. There are counter and table seats, and despite being a long-established shop, it has an accessible atmosphere.
Healthy gyoza packed with vegetables
You can select your preferred number of gyoza from 8, 12, 16, or 20 pieces. The gyoza are wrapped and grilled after you place your order, resulting in a crispy, fragrant texture on the browned side and a chewy texture elsewhere that is simply irresistible. The filling is primarily finely chopped cabbage, giving it a light mouthfeel, and as you chew, the sweetness of the cabbage and the savory, juicy flavor of the pork blend together perfectly. It is truly the quintessential taste of Hamamatsu gyoza. As you eat, you can use the accompanying boiled bean sprouts as a palate cleanser to refresh your mouth, allowing you to enjoy the deliciousness of the gyoza until the very last bite.
Local
Supporter
They are packed with vegetables and have a light flavor, so you can eat as many as you like!
- Mutsu-giku
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- 356-5 Sunayama-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
- 3-minute walk from the south exit of Hamamatsu Station
- 11:30–14:30 (L.O. 14:00), 17:00–21:00 (L.O. 20:30) *Gyoza available while supplies last *Sunday lunch only
- Mondays, Tuesdays *Irregular holidays may occur
- 053-455-1700
- None
3Teuchi Udon Gonta
Located near Lake Hamana Pal Pal in the heart of Kanzanji Onsen, this long-established udon restaurant has been loved for 45 years. It relocated and reopened on the Kanzanji Monzen-dori street in 2016.
For our signature udon, we use "Kinuakari," a new variety of wheat flour developed in Aichi Prefecture. The udon, carefully kneaded using a traditional foot-stepping process, has a firm texture, and with every bite, you can enjoy its chewy consistency and the subtle sweetness of the wheat. It also has a beautiful, glossy appearance that is sure to whet your appetite.
A wide array of hearty, handmade udon noodle dishes
Gonta's signature dish is the "Yaramaika," topped with grilled eel, grated yam, and a quail egg. This is a Hamamatsu dialect phrase meaning "Let's do it!" Beneath these stamina-boosting ingredients lies 1.5 times the usual portion of udon, making it a very satisfying meal. We also offer original menu items featuring local ingredients, such as "Kamaage Shirasu Udon" made with whitebait caught in the Enshu Sea, and "Lake Hamana Nori Kamatama Udon" which combines Lake Hamana seaweed with egg. Many people even visit from outside the prefecture for our seasonal limited-time menus, such as the "Sakura Shrimp and Whitebait Udon" that appears in the spring.
Local
Supporter
It is also a pleasure to be able to eat limited-time udon noodles unique to the season. The fact that a lovely couple with wonderful smiles welcomes you is also a charm.
- Teuchi Udon Gonta
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- 2303-3 Kanzanji-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
Approx. 50 minutes by Enshu Railway Bus bound for Kanzanji Eigyosho from Hamamatsu Station, get off at "Ginko-mae" and walk 2 minutes- 11:00–14:30, 17:00–19:30
- Fridays and the 1st Thursday of the month
- 053-487-5335
- Free
4Teuchi Soba-dokoro Fujihana
Located near the "Hamamatsu Flower Park," this log-house-style building is tucked away in a residential area off the Kanzanji Kaido road. At first glance, it looks like a cafe, but it is actually a serious soba specialty restaurant that serves carefully crafted buckwheat noodles. Once you take off your shoes and step inside, you are greeted by a spacious, open interior with high ceilings, polished hardwood floors, and an abundance of wood.
The owner hand-makes the soba using stone-ground buckwheat flour, offering both smooth-textured 90% buckwheat noodles and fragrant, firm-textured "inaka" (rustic) soba. The sharp dipping sauce, designed to pair perfectly with the noodles, further enhances the flavor of the soba.
Enjoy soba noodle dishes crafted with the owner's dedication
If you want to fully enjoy soba for lunch, we recommend the "Lunch Soba Zen" course. It is a hearty and satisfying meal that includes "soba yaki-miso" (grilled miso mixed with walnuts and buckwheat kernels), seasonal vegetable tempura, two types of soba—90% buckwheat noodles and rustic soba made with ground buckwheat husks—and soba ice cream.
Local
Supporter
Not only the soba noodles, but the vegetable tempura is also exquisite. The stylish atmosphere of the restaurant puts my mind at ease.
- Teuchi Soba-dokoro Fujihana
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- 266 Shirasu-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
- Approx. 50 minutes by Enshu Railway Bus bound for Kanzanji Eigyosho from Hamamatsu Station, then a 3-minute walk from the "Higashi-Bozuka" bus stop
- 11:30–14:00 *Closes when the soba runs out
- Wednesday–Sunday
- 053-487-2240
- Free
5Brot Lieben Miyakoda Branch
Nestled in a quintessential Japanese rural landscape surrounded by mountains and rice paddies, this house is locally known as a bakery where you are welcomed by a goat named Yakko-chan. After greeting the parent and child goats in their red-roofed shed, head inside. The interior, with its white walls and impressive thick beams, has a calm atmosphere unified by wooden floors, chairs, and tables. The bakery offers about 100 types of bread baked daily, including white bread, danishes, savory breads, pies, and tarts. The German bread, sold exclusively on Fridays and Saturdays, is particularly popular. You can also enjoy the bread you purchase along with coffee, tea, or other drinks in the cafe space inside the shop.
A hearty menu set with our signature bread
The morning menu starts at 9:00 AM, and the lunch menu begins at 11:00 AM. The morning set includes an omelet or fried egg with a muffin. For lunch, there are nine options available, such as the "Beef Stew Set" and "Bread Gratin Set," all of which come with their signature bread. Monthly desserts are also available, making it a great place to relax after your meal. There is a free dog run on the premises and a space where you can dine with your dog, so those visiting with pets can feel at ease.
Local
Supporter
There are also goats and horses, which is irresistible for animal lovers! It is a bakery where you can enjoy yourself in various ways.
- Brot Lieben Miyakoda Branch
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- 3522 Miyakoda-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
- 12-minute walk from Fruit Park Station
- 9:00–16:00
- Monday and Tuesday
- 053-522-9498
- Free
6Midori no Tani no Gochiso Terrace CoCoChi
A restaurant located in the Okubo district on the east shore of Lake Hamana, with a concept of "food mileage using ingredients from within a 10km radius." It is well-regarded for its dishes packed with local bounty, such as freshly harvested vegetables and eggs from the pure Japanese "Okazaki Ohan" chicken breed. They also clear abandoned bamboo groves and utilize the bamboo as edible bamboo powder. Bamboo is rich in plant-based lactic acid bacteria, which is incorporated into their cooking.
Lunch is a set including a main dish, appetizer buffet, and drink bar. You can choose your main dish from omelet rice, pizza, pasta, or Mineno beef. One of the main dishes, the "Okubo Vegetable Mixed Pizza," is a popular menu item that uses an abundance of seasonal vegetables.
Enjoy dolce in an open, airy space
Don't miss the dolce you can add to your lunch for an extra charge. You can choose two items from the sweets lined up in the showcase that day, such as pudding or tarts, but the highlight is the yogurt made with bamboo plant-based lactic acid bacteria. It has a mellow acidity that goes perfectly with the homemade jam.
Complementing the signature dishes is the lush green location, surrounded by a bamboo forest. In addition to indoor seating, there is also an open terrace, creating a comfortable space. We also offer various experiences, such as pizza making.
Local
Supporter
One of the main dishes, the "Dress de Omurice," is a photogenic menu item where the egg drapes look like a dress. The "Okazaki Ouhan" eggs are rich, and you can enjoy them with two types of sauces: tomato and demi-glace.
- Midori no Tani no Gochiso Terrace CoCoChi
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- 1173 Okubo-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
- Approx. 30 min. by Enshu Railway Bus bound for Kamigaya/Yamazaki from JR Hamamatsu Station; get off at "Okubo" and walk for approx. 3 min.
- 11:00–21:30 (L.O. 21:00, lunch until 15:00)
- Open every day (may close temporarily)
- 053-489-3273
- Free
Reservations required at least 7 days in advance for various experiences. See website for details.
Local supporter in charge of this article
- Shigeharu HasegawaTea Boy
KAI Enshu
Kanzanji Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture
A hot spring inn where every room overlooks Lake Hamana. It is filled with hospitality unique to Shizuoka, a region known for its tea.
Access Take a bus from JR Hamamatsu Station, get off at "Hamanako Bay Street," and walk for about 1 minute.
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥26,000