10 Delicious Foods in Ibaraki You Shouldn’t Miss!

From fresh seafood, tender beef, to warm Anko-nabe, Ibaraki offers a variety of delicious dishes that should not be missed.

The unique ingredients and flavors of Ibaraki will definitely delight the taste buds of Japanese foods lovers.

In this article, we will recommend 10 foods in Ibaraki that you must try while you are there. Here is the complete list.

1. Oarai Seafood Market

Oarai Seafood Market offers a variety of fresh catches from the waters of Oarai and Kashimanada. In addition to fresh fish and homemade dried products, there are also various preparations such as fermented fish, tsukudani (sweet boiled fish), and kamaboko (fish cakes).

This market also has a restaurant that serves sashimi, sushi, and grilled seafood dishes you shouldn’t miss.

The specialty of Oarai is anglerfish soup, which is most delicious when enjoyed from November to March, though you can savor it anytime.

Additionally, Oarai Seafood Market also offers direct grilling services, allowing visitors to enjoy freshly grilled clams, abalones, scallops, or squid on-site.

You should know that local Oarai clams are famous for their tender meat that doesn’t shrink when grilled.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: Oarai Seafood Market
Address: 8253-56 Isohama, Ooarai, Higashi Ibaraki-gun
Phone: 029-267-0121
Hours: 07:00–18:00

2. Hamako Shokudo Ooarai Seaside Station Ten

Hamako Shokudo Ooarai Seaside Station Ten is a popular seafood restaurant located near Ooarai Port. This is one of the many foods you must try in Ibaraki.

Always using fresh ingredients from Oarai Seafood Market, the restaurant serves seasonal seafood dishes praised by both locals and tourists.

With a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience, especially when the large ferry “Sunflower” docks around 14:00.

Enjoying fresh seafood while gazing at the ocean panorama is a special attraction for Japafans visiting Ibaraki.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: Hamako Shokudo Ooarai Seaside Station Ten
Address: 11-2 Ooarai Port, Ooarai Town, Higashi Ibaraki-gun
Phone: 029-267-7675
Hours: Weekdays: 11:00–19:00 | Weekends & Holidays: 10:30–19:00

3. SEA BiRDS CAFE

SEA BiRDS CAFE is a café in Ibaraki designed with full glass walls offering a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.

With a modern interior and stylish furniture, it creates a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere. The café serves creative international dishes, providing a unique culinary experience.

This building was designed by renowned architect Kazuyo Sejima from Ibaraki, who also designed the Hitachi Station, which is globally recognized as one of the most beautiful stations in the world.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: SEA BiRDS CAFE
Address: 1-3-20 Asahi-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture (East Entrance of Hitachi Station, JR Joban Line)
Phone: 0294-26-0187
Hours: 07:00–22:00 (Last Order: 21:00)

4. Hitachino – Hitachi Wagyu Beef Restaurant

Located at Tsukubasan Kazakaeri Pass, this restaurant serves high-quality Hitachi beef, rated A4 and A5. It is also a must-try food when in Ibaraki.

With a tender taste and perfect marbling, the beef is cooked with simple seasonings like salt, pepper, or special sauce to highlight its natural flavor.

The restaurant is housed in a traditional Japanese house that was relocated from Shirakawa-go and renovated into an elegant dining space with a natural atmosphere.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: Hitachino
Address: 2103-5 Usui, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone: 029-866-1221
Hours: 10:30–20:30 (Last Order: 19:30)

5. Italian Stile Oma

This Italian restaurant combines local Ibaraki ingredients with imported Italian products, creating a unique dish called “Ibaraki Italian Cuisine.” With an open kitchen and a relaxed atmosphere, this place offers an extraordinary dining experience.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: Italian Stile Oma
Address: 3045-1 Sawa, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone: 029-352-9770
Hours: Lunch: 11:00–14:30 (Last Order: 12:30) | Dinner: 18:00–22:00

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6. Koshiki Kenchin Soba Jikuan

Koshiki Kenchin Soba Jikuan serves soba that is fully processed by the restaurant owner, from land preparation, buckwheat cultivation, to flour milling.

This method ensures that every soba dish has a chewy texture and a distinctive aroma.

The special “Soba Congee” (Soba Kayu) available in only 20 portions per day is the main reason food lovers visit here.

Other popular dishes include “Ancient Vegetable Soba Root,” “Negi Ten,” and “Salted Mountain Vegetables” that feature unique flavors, making many visitors return as regulars.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: Koshiki Kenchin Soba Jikuan
Address: 2162 Tengeya-cho, Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone: 0294-70-6290
Hours: 11:30–14:30 (Closed after soba runs out)

7. Saibitei

Saibitei serves thick tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) from premium Ibaraki pigs, “Rose Pork” and “Hitachi no Kagayaki.”

The meat is very tender, moist, healthy, and not gamey. It is served with 12 types of homemade sauces.

Tonkatsu at Saibitei is highly popular, with long lines even on regular days.

To highlight the local pork, Saibitei also created “Gyoza Kasama,” which can be enjoyed on-site or taken home as a souvenir. Japafans can also order it online to enjoy at home.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: Saibitei
Address: 4067 Shimogo, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone: 0299-45-4118
Hours: Lunch: 11:00–15:00 (Last Order: 14:30) | Dinner: 17:00–20:45 (Last Order: 20:00)

8. RockBurger

RockBurger serves two signature burgers, “Rock Burger” made with 100% Hitachi beef and “Classic Burger” made with coarsely ground US beef.

The patty is seasoned simply to enhance the natural sweetness and flavor of the beef. Customers can also add cheese or bacon for extra flavor.

Another popular item at this restaurant is the “Burger Donut,” which perfectly blends sweet and savory flavors.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: RockBurger
Address: 449-1 Chigusa-cho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone: 029-297-8989
Hours: 11:00–21:00 (Last Order: 20:00 / closes when products run out)

9. Shokusai Daishin

Located just a two-minute walk from JR Otsu Port Station, Shokusai Daishin offers Ibaraki specialties like “Anko-nabe” and “Dobu Soup” made in the local fishermen’s style.

These dishes use fresh monkfish from Otsu Port, with flavor varying by season.

The monkfish from December to early February has a mild taste, while it is richer in fat from late February to April, as it approaches spawning season.

The restaurant owner adjusts the miso based on the fish’s quality for maximum flavor.

“Dobu Soup” is even cooked directly in front of customers, providing a performance for Japafans to enjoy.

These dishes pair wonderfully with local sake from Ibaraki or Fukushima for a truly unique flavor experience.

Place Information

Restaurant Name: Shokusai Daishin
Address: 2-5-18 Kita-machi, Otsu-cho, Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Phone: 0293-46-5511
Hours: Lunch: 11:30–14:00 (Last Order: 13:50) | Dinner: 17:00–21:00 (Last Order: 20:50, lunch only on Sundays)

10. Cafe & Space Connect

Cafe & Space Connect offers a variety of healthy desserts suitable for allergy sufferers. Using rice flour and okara (soybean pulp) from Ibaraki, menu items like “Okara Chocolate Cake,” “Espresso Cheesecake,” and “Soy Milk Tiramisu” are very popular.

All desserts are made with high-quality local ingredients and feature seasonal menu variations that always bring new surprises.

The café’s interior is designed using wood from the Satomi area in Hitachiota City, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

The café also displays artwork by local artists, adding an artistic touch.

Various seating options are available, including a bar, tables, and private rooms, allowing Japafans to enjoy their dessert according to their needs.

Place Information