In Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, blessed with abundant seafood, kaisen-don is one of the most popular gourmet specialties. Kaisen-don" is one of the most popular gourmet dishes in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, which is blessed with abundant seafood. In this article, we will introduce the reasons why Obama's seafood is so delicious and the typical types of seafood, as well as recommended restaurants in the Reinan area (Wakasa and Obama) where you can enjoy kaisen-don (seafood bowl).
Why Obama's seafood is so delicious
Let us explain why Obama's seafood is so delicious in the first place. Wakasa Bay is a treasure trove of delicious seafood for a variety of reasons, including its rias coastline and nutrient-rich groundwater.
Because it faces Wakasa Bay and fresh seafood is available.
A major reason for Obama's delicious seafood is its location on Wakasa Bay. Wakasa Bay is one of the best fishing grounds in Japan, and a wide variety of fresh seafood is caught throughout the year.
Wakasa Bay has a rias coastline, which is rare on the Sea of Japan side. The complex topography makes it less susceptible to rough offshore waves and provides a calm environment, making it suitable for aquaculture. In addition, because Wakasa Bay is at the point where warm and cold currents collide, a variety of fish can easily gather, contributing to the abundant fish catch.
Because nutrient-rich groundwater also flows into the ocean.
Obama is also blessed with abundant groundwater. Groundwater is the result of rain and snow falling on the mountains and flowing into the ground, and is rich in nutrients that are stored in the ground.
This groundwater also flows into the ocean, causing nutrients from the groundwater to dissolve into the ocean. This increases the richness of the ocean and allows fish and shellfish to grow well, leading to delicious seafood catches.
Obama's Famous Seafood
Next, we will introduce the famous seafood that represents Obama. Nationally well-known seafood and high-end foodstuffs are also caught in abundance.
mackerel (esp. the chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus)
Obama has long been famous for its mackerel. Natural mackerel numbers have dwindled due to overfishing, and now the focus is on aquaculture. Obama Yoppari Saba," a brand of mackerel farmed in Obama City, is raised on a formula feed for mackerel and sakekasu (sake lees).
In addition to being raised in the sea with underground water springing up, the mackerel is given sakekasu (sake lees) so that it has no odor and has a refreshing aroma. Because the mackerel is shipped fresh under strict control, it is delicious even when eaten as sashimi.
fugu
Wakasa Bay is one of the leading torafugu cultivation areas. Torafugu from Wakasa Bay is also called "Wakasa fugu" and is considered one of the most expensive torafugu. In addition to the calm fishing grounds created by the topography of Wakasa Bay, the melting snow that flows into the sea causes low water temperatures from March to May. This environment makes the meat of Wakasa fugu tighter, and it is said to have a strong flavor even though it is light.
crab
Fukui Prefecture is famous for Echizen crab, which is landed at Obama Port. Echizen crab is a type of snow crab. As mentioned earlier, the waters off Wakasa Bay are tidal, which is a major factor in making it a good fishing ground for crabs. Crab fishing has been popular since ancient times, and Echizen crab is considered to be one of the highest quality snow crabs because of its sweet taste and firm flesh.
Recommended seafood bowl restaurants in the Reinan area
Starting with Obama, the Reinan area (Wakasa and Obama) has an abundance of restaurants where you can enjoy delicious kaisendon (bowls of rice topped with seafood). Here are some of the recommended restaurants in the Reinan area that serve kaisen-don. You will find a bowl of rice topped with a variety of fresh seafood from Wakasa that you will not be able to find anywhere else. The menu also offers generous portions to satisfy even the biggest of fans.
Enjoy seafood with a spectacular view of the Sea of Japan at Kaikoen
The liberating interior of Kaikoen
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Kaikouen
This restaurant offers a liberating view of the Sea of Japan from its glass-walled interior. It is located in Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf, a facility that serves as a base for promoting tourism and the attractions of Wakasa.
Obama-don at Kaikoen
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Seafood Restaurant Kaikoen
Several types of kaisen donburi are available, including "Obama donburi," a bowl of rice topped with an abundance of seasonal local fish from Wakasa Bay, and "Fukui salmon donburi," a bowl of rice topped with a generous portion of Fukui's brand salmon. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of set menus featuring seafood such as gorgeous sashimi and hamayaki saba (grilled mackerel), as well as saba-zushi (mackerel sushi) and other dishes.
Address |
1-3-2, Kawasaki, Obama, Fukui 917-0081, Japan |
Telephone number |
0770-52-3111 |
Business hours |
11:00-15:30 (L.O. 15:00) *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Kaisen Restaurant Kaikoen |
Kaisen Kani-Dokoro Koratei offers a wide variety of seafood bowls at a great price.
View of Koratei's store
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Koratei Kaisen Kani-Dokoro
This restaurant is directly managed by a fresh fish restaurant. It is located in Nihonkai Sakana no Machi, the largest seafood market on the Sea of Japan side, which is mainly operated by local fishermen from Tsuruga. The lineup includes a wide variety of seafood rice bowls made with freshly caught seafood.
The menu offers a variety of items and combinations, such as the "Kora-donburi," a luxurious bowl of rice topped with 10 different kinds of crab meat and miso. Many of the menu items are reasonably priced, and are popular for being both delicious and inexpensive. You can enjoy seafood at a reasonable price while consulting your budget.
Address |
1-1531 Wakaba-cho, Tsuruga-shi, Fukui 914-0125 |
Telephone number |
0770-47-5978 |
Business hours |
8:30-18:00 *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Denshoku Co. |
Wakasa Marine Plaza" offers seasonal delicacies in a rich natural setting.
Restaurant in Wakasa Marine Plaza and Kaisen-don (seafood bowl)
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Wakasa Marine Plaza
This resort hotel is located by the sea in Obama City. It is located in a rich natural setting with views of Mt. Aoba, known as Wakasa Fuji, the Tsuruga Peninsula, Cape Echizen, and the mountains of Tanba.
The restaurant serves seasonal dishes made from Wakasa's seafood. The "Wakasa Road Kaisen Donburi" is a dish unique to the area, consisting of locally produced Koshihikari rice topped with a generous portion of fresh seasonal fish.
Address |
44 Okazu, Obama City, Fukui 917-0046, Japan |
Telephone number |
0770-53-2100 |
Business hours |
10:30-14:30 15:30-19:30 *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Wakasa Marine Plaza |
Fresh seafood swimming in the kettle "Ikesu Kappou Masashi
Fisherman's bowl of rice topped with a bowl of fish from Wakasa at Kabosu Kappo Masa
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Kappou Kappou Masashi
Kappo Restaurant offers fresh seafood from a large kettle inside the restaurant at any time. There are counter seats around the kettle and tatami matted table seats, where you can taste Obama's fresh fish in a prestigious Japanese atmosphere.
The "Wakasa no Fisherman's Bowl" lunch, limited to 20 servings, is a seafood bowl made with seafood landed at Obama Port that day. In addition, kaiseki dishes, set menus, and a la carte dishes are also available. There are also a variety of menus featuring seasonal seafood, such as Isaza in the spring and Wakasa Guji in the summer.
Address |
107 Katori, Obama City, Fukui 917-0058 |
Telephone number |
0120-63-1678 |
Business hours |
Weekdays 11:30-14:30/17:30-21:30 (L.O.20:30) Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 11:30-15:00/17:30-21:30 (L.O.20:30) |
Closed |
Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a national holiday) *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Kesso Kappou Masa |
Enjoy seafood caught in Wakasa at Mikata Yodamari, a Japanese restaurant that prides itself on its Japanese cuisine.
Fresh seafood served at Mikata Sunny Daylight
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Beautiful Sunshine
This Japanese-style izakaya is located in a quiet residential area. It is popular as a restaurant where you can enjoy plenty of seafood caught in Wakasa. The menu features a wide variety of seafood dishes, including rice dishes such as "Yodamari Special Fisherman's Bowl," sashimi, grilled dishes, deep-fried dishes, and snacks.
Address |
44-6 Torihama, Wakasa-cho, Mikata-Kaminaka-gun, Fukui 919-1331 |
Telephone number |
0770-45-0058 |
Business hours |
18:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:30) |
Closed |
Wednesdays *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Mikata Yodamari |
Restaurant Genji, a rich seafood menu unique to the operation of a fresh fish restaurant
This restaurant is operated by a local fresh fish restaurant. One of the popular menu items is "Dannashi Gozen," a luxurious set (limited to 10 servings) that includes a bowl of seafood and Japanese hamayaki saba (grilled mackerel) at the same time.
The menu offers a wide variety of dishes such as seafood rice bowls, a la carte dishes, Western-style dishes, noodles, etc., so it is fun to eat a combination of different dishes. A children's menu is also available, making it a popular place for families to visit.
Address |
63-24-1 Miyazaki, Takahama-cho, Oi-gun, Fukui 919-2225 |
Telephone number |
0770-72-2522 |
Business hours |
11:00 - 21:00 |
Closed |
Thursday Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Restaurant Genji |
Restaurant Hama no Shiki, a spot that showcases the culinary charm of Wakasa
Obama Brand Seafood Bowl at Restaurant Hama no Shiki
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Restaurant Hama no Shiki
This restaurant is developed under the concept of "a restaurant that connects the deliciousness of Obama" with an awareness of local production for local consumption, focusing on seafood from Wakasa. The menu features seasonal local ingredients and traditional dishes that are unique to Obama.
We have a wide variety of seafood bowls such as "Wakasa Guji no Aburi Don", "Fukui Salmon Don", "Luxury! Obama Brand Kaisen Don" and "Hamazakari Don" are available. There is also a full menu of set menus and a la carte dishes. Enjoy the taste of Obama in a spacious restaurant.
Address |
3-5 Kawasaki, Obama City, Fukui 917-0081, Japan |
Telephone number |
0770-53-0141 |
Business hours |
11:00 - 14:30 |
Closed |
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, Year-end and New Year holidays *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Four Seasons in Hama |
Obama's Kaisen-don is an exquisite gourmet dish filled with seafood! Enjoy it with your trip!
In Obama, you can enjoy kaisendon, a bowl of rice topped with seafood made from fresh seafood, a specialty of Obama. There are many delicious restaurants in the Reinan area, including Obama, so it is fun to visit various restaurants while sightseeing. Freshness is the name of the game when it comes to kaisen-don, and you can enjoy the best taste of this gourmet dish only at the restaurant. Be sure to visit the area and enjoy the bounty of the Wakasa sea.
Selected as the nation's first "Premium" Japanese Heritage Site! Enjoy a variety of cultures
In July 2024, Obama City and Wakasa Town, centered on the Saba Road, were selected by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as the first Japanese Heritage site in Japan to be designated as a Special Priority Support Area (Japanese Heritage Premium).
Blessed with a rich harvest from the sea and mountains, Wakasa has supported the food culture of the Imperial Court since ancient times, and for more than 1,500 years, the road that brought seafood from Wakasa to Kyoto has been called "Saba Kaido," or mackerel road, and has a history of traffic of various cultures. Along the Saba Kaido, which connects Wakasa and Kyoto, there are Kumagawa-juku, shrines, temples, buildings, festivals, and other cultural assets, so be sure to take the time to visit Tsuruga and Wakasa.
The information is current as of November 2024. Information is subject to change without notice.