Local Guide
 Recommended restaurants in Kochi City where you can taste local brand meat

Gourmet food in Kochi is not limited to seafood. Kochi is also making efforts to develop brand-name meats such as beef, pork, and chicken raised in a rich natural environment. Especially famous among them are "Shimanto Pork" and "Tosa Wagyu Beef. Shimanto Pork is pork raised in the Shimanto River basin, one of the three clearest rivers in Japan, with the blessings of nature, and is characterized by its softness and sweetness. Tosa Wagyu is a Japanese breed of beef produced in Kochi Prefecture, consisting of "Akage (brown) Japanese beef" and "Kuroge (black) Japanese beef." Among them, "Tosa Akashi," which is a brown breed, is called "fantastic Wagyu" because of the small number of cattle produced, and is characterized by its delicious lean meat. We picked up restaurants in Kochi City where you can taste the deliciousness of these two brands of Kochi-bred meat. We hope you will enjoy them in various ways.

Serves "Tosa red cow" grown in the Reinokita region of northern Kochi Prefecture.

 Seared Nigiri
Seared Nigiri" (650 yen) is served with wasabi (Japanese horseradish). Other dishes include "Aosa Tempura" for 800 yen and "Deep-fried juvenile amego fish" for 680 yen.

This izakaya offers dishes made with ingredients from the Reihoku region of Kochi Prefecture, where the owner is from, such as Tosa akashi (red cow), delicious chicken, amego (a river fish raised in a clear stream), and vegetables from Reihoku (northern Kochi).

The menu is especially rich in Tosa red udder, and offers a variety of ways to enjoy it, such as "Sinew stew," "Seared Yukke" and "Thigh Tataki," which make the most of the delicious red meat that is a characteristic of Tosa red udder. The "Aburi Nigiri" is lightly seared to bring out the best flavor, and its moist and mild texture is addictive.

Sake that goes well with the cuisine is also carefully selected from the Reinan region.

 A small table with a sunken kotatsu. Each table can be partitioned off with a roll screen.
A small table with a sunken kotatsu. Each table can be partitioned off with a roll screen.

Sake is also carefully selected from sake breweries in the Reinan area to pair well with the dishes. We offer a variety of unique sake, including "Kaygetsu" from Tosa Shuzo, a long-established sake brewery founded in 1877, "Tosa Awamori," the first authentic awamori in the prefecture made from rice grown in Kochi Prefecture, and authentic rice shochu made from "Tosa Tenku no Sato," a brand of rice that Kochi is proud to produce.

In addition to sunken kotatsu seating, the restaurant has private rooms where you can spend time in comfort, and counter seating where you can easily use the restaurant by yourself. Enjoy the delicacies of the Reinan region to your heart's content with our food and sake.

Local Guide Comment
The lineup of Tosa akauushi dishes is extensive! Depending on the cooking method, you can enjoy a variety of delicious flavors, which will make you want to drink more and more.
Local Food and Sake Reihoku Village
  • Address Tawaraya Bldg. 1F, 1-2-12 Obiyacho, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  •  Direction 10 min. walk from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 4 min. by car from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 2 min. walk from Tosaden Kotsu Hasuike-cho Dori
  •   Direction From JR Kochi Station, take a local bus. 3 min. walk from Kita Harimayabashi bus stop.
  •  Hours of Operation 17:30-23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
  •  Closed Tuesdays
  •  TEL 088-802-5388
  •  Parking None

A popular restaurant that has wowed food connoisseurs in and outside of the prefecture.

 In addition to the
In addition to the "Tosa Akashi Straw Grilled Fish" (1,500 yen), "Deep Fried Utsubo" (850 yen) and "Tosa Giroro Tamagoyaki" (fried Tosa Giroro egg) (750 yen) are also available.

Using carefully selected Kochi Prefecture ingredients, the restaurant offers local cuisine that goes well with sake. The owner, who honed his skills at a Japanese restaurant in Kyoto, has a reputation for the deliciousness of his dishes, which make the most of the original flavors of the ingredients.

The "Tosa red cow straw yaki," in which the surface is boldly roasted over a straw flame, is one of the most popular items on the menu. It is cooked to just the right degree of rare, and the smoke and aroma from the burning enhances the flavor of the "Tosa red cow". The more you chew, the more the flavor fills your mouth, making it addictive. It is first served simply with salt, then with ponzu (Japanese sauce made of citrus fruits), wasabi (Japanese horseradish), or citrus juice.

A collection of Kochi's delicacies that will make you want to try them all!

 The interior of the restaurant has a homey atmosphere. There is also a sunken kotatsu seating area behind the counter.
The interior of the restaurant has a homey atmosphere. There is also a sunken kotatsu seating area behind the counter.

The menu also features a variety of other dishes using Kochi specialties and Kochi's local ingredients, such as "katsuo tataki" (bonito tataki), "Tosa maki" (sushi roll with bonito tataki), "grilled Niyodo natural eel (grilled with white sauce or sauce)," and egg rolls and egg rice using eggs from Tosa Jiro, a local chicken produced in Kochi Prefecture with a rich flavor at the beginning of its life. There is also "Pate de Campagne" from Matsubara Meat, a popular additive-free charcuterie specialty restaurant in Kami City, Kochi Prefecture, which makes a perfect accompaniment to drinks.

The cozy restaurant with only about 12 seats is often fully booked even on weekdays. It is recommended to make a reservation ahead of time.

Local Guide Comment
The owner basically runs the restaurant by himself, and the atmosphere is like that of a small restaurant. Be sure to check out the freshly prepared daily side dishes lined up at the counter.
Kamontei
  • Address 2-3-13 Harimaya-cho, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  •  Direction 10 min. walk from JR Kochi Station
    3 min. drive from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 2 min. walk from Tosaden Kotsu Hasuike-cho Dori Stn.
  •   Direction Approx. 1 min. walk from Kita-Harimayabashi bus stop after taking the local bus from JR Kochi Station.
  •  Hours of Operation 18:00 - 1:00 the next day *Closes when all ingredients are gone.
  •  Closed Tuesdays
  •  TEL 088-885-0855
  •  Parking None

Superb tonkatsu made from Shimanto pork, cooked with exquisite heat

 Extra-Top Roast
Extra-Top Roast" 200g, 2,500 yen. Moderately fatty ribeye. Try it with four kinds of salt, wasabi, or mustard that go well with the pork.

This restaurant specializes in tonkatsu made with Shimanto pork. There are three types of Shimanto pork: barley pork, rice pork, and potato pork, of which the rice pork has soft meat and fat with a sweet flavor.
Three types of tonkatsu are available: ribeye, loin, and fillet. The pork cutlets are deep-fried in 100% lard oil, which gives them an exceptional flavor and aroma. The pork cutlets are cooked slowly and carefully at a low temperature for about 15 minutes, making them moist and juicy on the inside. The pork is well seasoned, so the first bite is a taste of the original deliciousness of the meat without any seasoning.

Bread crumbs that enhance the original taste of pork are the best weapon.

 Shimanto Pork Rice Pork Rib Loin with moderate fat and a beautiful pale pink color. Pork is cut to order.
Shimanto Pork Rice Pork Rib Loin with moderate fat and a beautiful pale pink color. Pork is cut to order.

The owner, who has eaten at more than 100 tonkatsu restaurants throughout Japan, selected Shimanto Pork Rice Pork from among many. Raised on Niida rice, a local brand of rice, the pork has an aroma and sweetness to its fat and softness to its meat. A further speciality is the bread crumbs, which the owner describes as the greatest ingredient in tonkatsu. The bread crumbs are specially made for tonkatsu with reduced fat to maximize the deliciousness of the pork, resulting in a crispy, savory, and light texture after frying. The moment you put it in your mouth, the delicious flavor will rush into your mouth, and you will be captivated by the taste of Shimanto Pork Rice Pork.

Local Guide Comment
The owner is also the owner-chef of the popular patisserie "Mange Sasa," which is located two doors down from "Benibuta Porukoroso. There is also an eat-in café, so we recommend stopping by on your way home after tasting tonkatsu.
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 full stomach is a must. A variety of locally produced and locally consumed set menus

 Shimanto Pork Grilled with Salt and Pepper Set Meal
Shimanto Pork Grilled with Salt and Pepper Set Meal" for 1,610 yen. Includes four small bowls of cooked food, rice, miso soup, and pickles.

A Restaurant where you can casually enjoy local Kochi delicacies in a hearty, high-cost-per-portion set meal. The set meal menu consists of about 50 different items. The excitement of choosing which one to try is one of the attractions of this restaurant.

The main menu item is a set meal using plenty of fresh fish caught in the surrounding seas, but the menu using local brand meat is also popular. The Shimanto Pork Salt and Pepper Grilled Set Meal is a dish using Shimanto pork, sliced into thick slices and seasoned simply with salt and pepper. It is recommended to start with a bite as it is, and then enjoy it with a squeeze of lemon for a refreshing taste.

Enjoy the delicious taste of Shimanto Pork with a wide variety of dishes.

 Tables and counter seats are lined up in the spacious restaurant with a high ceiling.
Tables and counter seats are lined up in the spacious restaurant with a high ceiling.

The restaurant also offers a wide variety of Shimanto Pork dishes, such as "Shimanto Pork Tonteki Set Meal," "Shimanto Pork Harami Steak Set Meal," and "Shimanto Pork Ginger Grilled Set Meal. The menu is full of dishes that will make your meal go down a storm, so it is best to visit with an empty stomach.

The spacious restaurant, which seats about 100, is always crowded with people, not only with families, but also on their own. The restaurant is popular not only with families, but also with customers who come alone, and it is sure to satisfy the stomachs of the citizens of Kochi.

Local Guide Comment
The freshness and volume of the sashimi set menus, a signature item, always amaze us. The restaurant has established its own route to purchase fresh fish in large quantities three times a day (morning, noon, and evening), ensuring both delicious taste and reasonable prices.
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

Enjoy all the deliciousness of "Tosa red ox" in a hot pot dish!

 Tosa red cow sukiyaki
Tosa red cow sukiyaki" for 3,500 yen per person. The rare brisket, which allows you to enjoy the taste of lean meat, is used.

Japanese-style izakaya where you can enjoy Kochi's local cuisine with local sake. The restaurant offers local fish dishes such as grilled bonito and dishes using "Tosa akashi" (red cow).

We recommend the "Tosa red cow sukiyaki. The brisket, a rare meat from the shoulder, is characterized by its light and tasty flavor, and it goes well with the sweetened sauce. The richness and umami of the Tosa akashi soaks into the other ingredients, such as tofu and vegetables, and each bite is a delightful experience. The refreshing Tosa akashi shabu-shabu is also very popular.

Match Kochi's local cuisine with a glass of locally brewed sake.

 A tatami room is available on the first floor. There are also counter seats and table seats.
A tatami room is available on the first floor. There are also counter seats and table seats.

Speaking of Fujinoya, you cannot miss the "katsuo-no-tataki" made from fresh bonito. The slightly warm, melt-in-your-mouth bonito attracts many food connoisseurs, not to mention the performance of the dynamic searing using straw right in front of the counter.
The restaurant also offers other royal local delicacies such as "Deep-fried Utsubo", "Shimanto River green laver tempura", and "Deep-fried Shimanto River shrimp". Local sake from all over the prefecture is a perfect match for such local delicacies. Many brands of sake are rarely available in restaurants, and the marriage of food and sake is one of the pleasures of the restaurant.

Local Guide Comment
In addition to nabe (one-pot dish), Tosa red udo is also available as "Tosa red udo momo straw-roasted", grilled in the same way as bonito. The smoky aroma of the straw-roasted fish wafts through the air, making it a dish that is sure to promote alcohol consumption.
Fujinoya
  •  Address 4-5 Hatsukaishiro-cho, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  •  Direction 10 min. walk from JR Kochi Station
    3 min. drive from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 4 min. walk from Tosaden Kotsu Hasuike-cho Dori Stn.
  •   Direction 5 min. walk from Hasuike-cho Dori bus stop after taking the local bus from JR Kochi Station.
  •  Business Hours 17:30-23:30 (L.O. 23:00)
  •  Closed Mon.
  •  TEL 088-879-3737
  •  Parking None

Enjoy the deliciousness of Tosa Wagyu beef with seasonal kaiseki cuisine.

 Tosa Wagyu beef carefully cooked (example of the 13,000 yen course). For an additional 1,500 yen, you can have Tosa red-bellied cow thigh meat.
Tosa Wagyu beef carefully cooked (example of the 13,000 yen course). For an additional 1,500 yen, you can have Tosa red-bellied cow thigh meat.

Japanese cuisine that makes the most of seasonal ingredients, of which Kochi is proud, is served in a course menu. You can feel the change of the seasons through the food.

Three price ranges are available: 9,000 yen, 13,000 yen, and 20,000 yen. Starting with an appetizer that reflects the season, the course features about 10 dishes, including soup, sashimi, a meat dish using Tosa wagyu beef or Tosa akau beef, and handmade soba noodles to close the meal. Each dish is a feast for the eyes and palate, with delicate cooking techniques that bring out the flavor of the ingredients, beautifully arranged dishes, and fine tableware that complements the cuisine.

A Japanese restaurant for adults where quality time and space flow

 Counter seating allows diners to watch the cooking process from the corner of their eye.
Counter seating allows diners to watch the cooking process from the corner of their eye.

The restaurant offers a high quality space with earthen walls and Japanese fixtures, and you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere with down lights. In addition to the eye-catching counter seats made of a single piece of cedar wood, the restaurant also offers relaxing box sofa seats and private rooms with tables that are ideal for dinners and other gatherings, making it suitable for a wide variety of situations. We recommend that you also drink sake with your course meal. Of course we serve sake, but we also have a wide selection of wines. Choose the right sake to match your meal, and the deliciousness of your meal will be multiplied many times over.

Local Guide Comment
In Kochi City, it is rare to find a restaurant that offers Japanese cuisine only as a course, and "Shunsen Ryori Aizen" is a rare example of such a restaurant. Aizen is also available for one person, making it a great choice when you want to enjoy Kochi's gastronomic delights at a leisurely pace.
Seasonal Cuisine Aizen
  • Address 1-4-11 Harimaya-cho, Kochi-shi, Kochi MAP
  •  Direction 11 min. walk from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 3 min. by car from JR Kochi Station
    Approx. 2 min. walk from Tosaden Kotsu Hasuike-cho Dori
  •   Direction Approx. 1 min. walk from Kita-Harimayabashi bus stop after taking the local bus from JR Kochi Station.
  •  Hours of Operation 17:00-21:30L.O.
  •  Closed Wednesday
  •  TEL 088-861-4282
  •  Parking None
  •  Memo Course meals only. Reservations required by phone at least one day in advance. Not available for elementary school students and younger.
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.