Exquisite Lunches to Try in Otaru: From Seafood and Local Specialties to Famous Restaurant Flavors
Embraced by the sea and mountains, Otaru is a town rich in natural bounty. There are many restaurants where you can enjoy exquisite lunches that make abundant use of high-quality ingredients, such as the incredibly fresh seafood landed at the local shore, and seasonal vegetables and brand-name pork raised in the nearby towns of Yoichi and Niki. We will introduce 7 unique restaurants, including long-established shops serving signature dishes, local gourmet food, hearty seafood cuisine, and stylish Western-style meals.
1Yoshokuya Mangiare TAKINAMI
The bounty of Shiribeshi, a treasure trove of food, condensed into a single plate
This restaurant is popular for its original Western-style cuisine using bounty from the sea and mountains of Otaru and its surrounding areas. One highly recommended dish is the seafood cream soup, "Shiribeshi Cotriade." "Shiribeshi Cotriade" is a local gourmet dish developed by a group of local chefs, inspired by the French regional dish "Cotriade." Each restaurant offers its own unique version, using specified ingredients such as seafood, vegetables, and fruits harvested in the Shiribeshi region where Otaru is located, as well as Hokkaido dairy products. "Yoshokuya Mangiare TAKINAMI" is characterized by its inclusion of homemade smoked herring and herring roe, and basil-flavored quenelles (fish dumplings). It has a deep, complex flavor that will make you crave wine even at lunch.
Enjoy a quiet afternoon in an interior that retains the atmosphere of the Taisho era
The interior retains a portion of a wooden-framed stone warehouse from the Taisho era, giving it a sense of historical weight and rustic charm. From the windows, you can see cherry trees stretching their branches toward the shop, and in spring, you can enjoy a relaxing meal while admiring the flowers in full bloom.
If you have time to spare, we also recommend the paella (for two or more people), which is cooked from scratch with rice and plenty of seafood. It is also a pleasure to wait for it to be cooked while snacking on homemade prosciutto made from Yoichi brand pork and sipping wine from "OSA WINERY," a winery in Otaru that is attracting a lot of attention.
Local
Supporter
The lunch menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including Shiribeshi Cotriade, pasta, pizza, steak, and curry. We also recommend the "Fish Lunch," which features a platter of two types of sautéed fish.
- Yoshokuya Mangiare TAKINAMI
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2-1-16 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP 
Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
Lunch 11:30–15:00 (L.O. 14:00)
Dinner 17:30–21:30 (L.O. 20:00)
*Closing time may be earlier depending on how busy it is
*Lunch is only available on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Wednesdays and Thursdays
0134-33-3394
Free (3 spaces)
2Kaisen Shokudo Sawasaki Suisan
Savor seafood so abundant it overflows from the bowl
A seafood bowl made with plenty of fresh seafood is one of the gourmet dishes you must try when visiting Otaru. The "Special Chirashi Bowl" at Sawasaki Suisan is a hearty dish piled high with such large pieces of seafood that they barely fit in the bowl. It is packed with a variety of ingredients, including thick, flavorful king crab, sweet sea urchin that melts on your tongue, thick and crisp scallops, and plump sweet shrimp, so much so that it is hard to even reach the rice. The glistening homemade salmon roe and flying fish roe are also beautiful and make for a great photo.
Directly managed by a seafood company, we are confident in our taste and freshness
Sawasaki Suisan was originally founded as a seafood company in Nemuro and now has its production base in Otaru, where it processes and sells marine products. Needless to say, the taste and freshness are excellent, as they use fresh, not frozen, crab boiled in the morning. In the counter-only restaurant, you can watch the staff work efficiently up close, which will stir up your anticipation and appetite. The restaurant is located in the "Otaru Denuki Koji" food stall village, which is right near the "Asakusabashi Street Garden," a popular photo spot on the Otaru Canal, making it an excellent location. It is a restaurant you should definitely stop by when sightseeing in Otaru.
Local
Supporter
Sawasaki Suisan has three shops within Otaru Denuki Koji, and you can enjoy the same menu at any of them.
- Kaisen Shokudo Sawasaki Suisan
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- Otaru Denuki Koji, 1-1 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP
- Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
- 11:00 until sold out
- Open every day
- 0134-23-2112
- None (Please use nearby paid parking)
3Otaru Ankake-dokoro Tororian
Hot and melty. The soul food of Otaru citizens
Ankake Yakisoba (fried noodles with starchy sauce) is a popular local gourmet dish in Otaru. It is said that the gomoku ankake yakisoba served by the Chinese restaurant "Baigetsu" in the city in the 1950s became popular among citizens and established itself as a standard menu item in a wide range of restaurants. The ankake yakisoba at "Tororian" is hearty, containing over 10 types of ingredients including seafood, meat, and vegetables. The rich sauce coats the browned thin noodles well, making you want to keep eating. There is also a half-and-half option with yakisoba and either scorched fried rice or white rice, which is popular for those who want to try various flavors.
A restaurant directly managed by a long-established noodle maker dedicated to local tastes
"Tororian" is a restaurant directly managed by "Abe Seimen," a noodle manufacturing company that has been operating in Otaru for over 70 years. Although located in a residential area away from the center of Otaru, it is bustling with many local customers every day. The secret to its popularity is its signature noodles, which have been repeatedly improved to suit the tastes of Otaru citizens. They are made using delicious Otaru water, with craftsmen making fine adjustments every day according to the temperature and humidity. The yakisoba uses thin, low-temperature aged noodles with a firm texture that Otaru citizens are said to prefer. The deliciousness of the noodles, unique to a company-managed restaurant, is well-regarded, and in addition to ankake yakisoba, their ankake ramen and special ramen are also popular.
Local
Supporter
Locals often eat ankake yakisoba at home as well. You can purchase it at souvenir shops and supermarkets within Otaru City.
- Otaru Ankake-dokoro Tororian
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- 5-7-23 Sakura, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP
- Approx. 8 minutes by car from JR Otaru-Chikko Station
- Lunch 11:00–15:00, Dinner 17:00–20:00 (L.O. 19:30)
- Tuesdays
- 0134-54-8287
- Free
4Le Quatrième Unga-dori Store
Enjoy fresh local vegetables and branded pork on a single plate
A restaurant run by a popular Otaru pastry shop. After passing through the pastry corner on the first floor and heading up to the second, a space with a panoramic view of the Otaru Canal opens up. The lunch menu's "One-Plate Main Lunch" features a meat dish such as roast pork made from "Kitajima Pork," a brand of pork from Yoichi, accompanied by over 10 types of seasonal vegetables, mainly from the surrounding area. Served with bread from the popular Otaru boulangerie "Aigues Vives" and a homemade quiche, you can fully enjoy the local bounty in this single dish.
A gem of a cake that embodies the pride of the fourth-generation owner of a long-established parlor
"Le Quatrième" means "fourth generation" in French. The shop was named this because the owner-chef is the fourth generation of "Misono," an Otaru ice cream parlor said to have been the first to sell ice cream in Hokkaido during the Taisho era.
The cakes lined up in the first-floor showcase can also be set with lunch for an additional fee. The cake that bears the shop's name, "Quatrième," is made of four layers: two types of chocolate mousse, walnut and macaron ganache, and sponge cake. The flavors of the different chocolates create a complex harmony, resulting in a deliciousness that keeps you coming back for more.
Local
Supporter
In Otaru city, there are very few restaurants outside of hotels where you can dine while overlooking the Otaru Canal. This prime location is also a point of pride for the owner.
- Le Quatrième Canal Street Store
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- 2-3-1 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP
- Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
- 12:00–17:00
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- 0134-27-7124
- None (Please use nearby paid parking)
5Otaru Soba-ya Yabu-han
A luxurious bowl where you can savor the umami of sea urchin and the aroma of buckwheat noodles
Located just a short distance from Otaru Station, tucked away in a back alley known as Shizuya-dori, is Otaru Soba-ya Yabuhan. Founded in 1954, this long-established soba restaurant has been beloved by locals for generations. The "Uni Toji Soba" is a luxurious dish featuring warm egg-drop soba topped with steamed sea urchin. Using steamed rather than raw sea urchin enhances its rich sweetness, and the umami that dissolves into the broth creates a deep, complex flavor. You can choose between two types of noodles: the "Jimoto-ko Men," made from 100% Hokkaido-grown buckwheat flour that highlights aroma and texture, and the traditional "Nami-ko Men," a blend of Hokkaido and imported Sarashina-style buckwheat flour.
Adult pleasures enjoyed in a space that holds memories of past glory
Beyond the noren curtains lies a stately space repurposed from relocated historic buildings, including the residences of once-prosperous merchants, stone storehouses of major fishing magnates, and historic ryotei restaurants. While the restaurant exudes an unwavering sense of prestige, the welcoming service that makes guests feel at ease is another reason why Yabuhan is so beloved.
In addition to soba, they offer a wide variety of sake and appetizers, making it perfect for daytime drinking. Enjoying a glass while savoring the remnants of past prosperity and slurping fragrant soba is a pleasure reserved for the sophisticated adult. There is often a line during lunch, but it is well worth the wait.
Local
Supporter
The menu includes not only the food offerings but also columns about the history of the shop and information related to soba. The content is very extensive, so you won't get bored while waiting during busy times.
- Otaru Soba Yabu-han
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- 2-19-14 Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido, Shizuya-dori MAP
- Approx. 4-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
- 11:15–14:30, 17:00–20:00
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, January 1–4
- 0134-33-1212
- Free
6Minshuku Aotsuka Shokudo
Enjoy the bounty of Otaru's sea with hearty charcoal grilling
Founded in 1955 by the previous owner, who was a fisherman, near the Shukutsu fishing port, this popular restaurant attracts a constant stream of visitors not only from the local area but also from Sapporo and beyond. It goes without saying that the sashimi, raw sea urchin, and seafood bowls are incredibly fresh, but the true way to experience the bounty of the sea in Shukutsu—which once thrived on herring fishing—is the charcoal-grilled herring, so large it overflows from the plate. The skin is crispy and fragrant, while the meat is plump, thick, and packed with concentrated umami, surprising even the locals who are accustomed to eating herring.
Feast your eyes and delight your palate with our signature grilled seafood.
Aozuka Shokudo's charcoal grilling is done in the "hama-yaki" style, where seafood is grilled over charcoal lit right in front of the restaurant. Veteran grillers use their years of experience to achieve the perfect level of doneness. Inside the restaurant, the savory aroma of grilled scallops, whelks, and Atka mackerel wafts through the air, whetting the appetite. The friendly, casual service typical of a seaside diner is also a delight, making for a wonderful travel memory.
Local
Supporter
This popular shop has a constant line from the moment it opens. We recommend making a reservation in advance.
- Minshuku Aotsuka Shokudo
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- 3-210 Shukutsu, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP
- Approx. 12-minute drive from JR Otaru Station
- 10:00–19:00 (L.O. 18:00)
- Irregular holidays
- 0134-22-8034
- Free
7N.CREA
A variety of seasonal menu items packed with the bounty of our own farm.
A hideaway restaurant quietly nestled in a residential area of Hariusu, Otaru City. You can enjoy a menu featuring vegetables harvested from the on-site farm and seasonal local ingredients. The popular croissant sandwich uses bread from "Quatre Feuilles," a well-known bakery in Zenibako, Otaru City. Its fragrant aroma and fluffy texture are truly appealing. The lunch set comes with a generous serving of fresh salad and a drink, ensuring you leave fully satisfied. With a wide variety of pasta, à la carte dishes, and desserts, you might find it hard to choose.
A warm and inviting moment in a stylish space.
The exterior of the restaurant features an impressive American-style gabled roof. Upon entering, your eyes will be drawn to the owner's meticulous attention to detail, from the exotic lighting that accents the white-toned space to the one-of-a-kind tables and chairs.
During the peak season, a marche appears, selling vegetables from the on-site farm as well as regional products from both within and outside Hokkaido. Hosting monthly live performances by local musicians and occasionally welcoming mobile shops selling handmade goods, this warm, community-rooted atmosphere may be the secret to its popularity.
Local
Supporter
During events such as live performances, the shop may be reserved for private parties or have changed operating hours, so we recommend checking the announcements on the website in advance.
Local supporter in charge of this article
OMO5 Otaru
Otaru City, Hokkaido
A boutique hotel renovated from a historical building. You can enjoy a retro trip in Otaru.
Access Approx. 9-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥6,000