What is Echizen Crab, the King of Crabs, the pride of Fukui? Characteristics and delicious restaurants
Echizen crab, one of Fukui Prefecture's winter specialties, is one of the finest varieties in terms of quality and name recognition. This article introduces the characteristics and delicious ways to eat Echizen Gani, Fukui's exquisite gourmet crab, for those who would like to try it once. We have also selected restaurants in the Reinan (Tsuruga and Wakasa) area where you can taste Echizen crab.
What is Echizen Crab? Characteristics and Tasty Echizen Crabs
Echizen crab is called the "king" among crabs. First, we will introduce the characteristics of Echizen crab and how to enjoy its delicious taste.
Male snow crab landed at a fishing port in Fukui Prefecture
Echizen crab" refers to male snow crabs landed at fishing ports in Fukui Prefecture, where the Echizen crab fishing season opens on November 6 each year. Echizen crab also includes "Matsuba crab" and "Kanou crab," but the brand name is given according to the area where the crab was landed, and there are differences in taste and quality.
Echizen crab is marked by a yellow tag and is the king of snow crabs of the highest quality. The appearance is characterized by long legs, a large shell, and large claws. Its tight meat is sweet and you will be able to taste rich and plentiful crab miso. Incidentally, female snow crabs landed at fishing ports in Fukui Prefecture are called "Seiko crab.
Major landing ports in the Reinan area are Tsuruga Port and Obama Port
Echizen crabs are caught at fishing ports in Wakasa Bay from November 6 to March 20 every year. In the Reinan area (Tsuruga and Wakasa), Tsuruga Port and Obama Port are the main landing ports for Echizen crabs.
Since it can be shipped nationwide, you can easily enjoy snow crab at home, but if you are looking for freshness, we recommend you to eat locally caught crabs. If you are looking for the freshest crab, we recommend that you visit the local market and enjoy the delicious Echizen crab.
How to eat delicious Echizen crab
To enjoy the taste of Echizen crab, we recommend eating it freshly caught as sashimi, as well as boiled, shabu-shabu, and grilled crabs. It is said to be difficult to boil crabs well, so if you are looking for delicious boiled crabs, try eating locally cooked crabs.
In addition, the generous amount of crab miso is rich and excellent. It will be delicious even if you mix the meat and crab miso and eat it in a bowl.
Reinan Area｜6 restaurants where you can taste Echizen Crab
In the Reinan area (Tsuruga and Wakasa), there are many delicious restaurants and accommodations where you can eat Echizen crab. In addition to the Echizen crab course that can be enjoyed as a day trip, plans to stay overnight and enjoy fresh seafood are also attractive. Here we introduce six recommended restaurants and accommodations where you can taste Echizen crab.
Tsuruga City｜Marusan-ya
Located near JR Tsuruga Station, Marusan-ya is a restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood such as Echizen crab, Wakasa puffer fish, and iwagaki (rock crab). You can enjoy the refined sweetness of seasonal Echizen crab sashimi, and boiled crab is carefully boiled and salted to bring out its original sweetness. The restaurant can be used for a wide range of occasions, from small groups to large parties.
| Address | 6-41 Shiraiginmachi, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, 914-0054, Japan |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-22-4528 |
| Business hours | 11:00-22:30 *Please confirm details in advance. |
| Closed | None |
| Reference site | Marusan-ya |
Tsuruga City｜Kani-Kuitei Masunoe
The restaurant is located in the Nihonkai Sakana Machi, one of the largest markets on the Sea of Japan coast located in Tsuruga City. It is operated by a local fresh fish store, so the freshness and cosiness are outstanding. You can enjoy crab and other seafood freshly landed at Tsuruga Fishing Port.
The restaurant handles more than 200 tons of crabs alone annually, and during the season when Echizen crabs and Echizen seiko crabs are landed, they are purchased directly at the auction and served freshly boiled. The spacious restaurant has tatami room and chair seating, making it easy to accommodate groups and families.
| Address | 1-1531 Wakaba-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui 914-0125, Japan Sea Fish Town |
|---|---|
| Phone number | 0770-22-3590 |
| Business hours | 10:30-17:00 10:30-17:30 on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays (in accordance with Nihonkai Sakana Machi business hours) |
| Closed | Unscheduled holidays *Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site | Kaniguitei Masunoe |
Tsuruga Sazanami Resort Chobei
Tsuruga Sazanami Resort: Echizen Crab Full Course by Choubei
Citation meta. Tsuruga Sazanami Resort Chobei
Located right in front of the sea, this accommodation allows you to relax and enjoy the view. There is a full-course menu where you can fully savor Echizen crab, and a menu where you can enjoy charcoal-grilled dishes in addition to Echizen crab. In addition to Echizen crab, there is a wide variety of menus that allow you to taste other special ingredients, such as charcoal-grilled kaiseki, seafood barbecue (April to October), and fermented food plans.
Not only plans with overnight stay, but also day trip plans and lunches are available, allowing you to enjoy Echizen crab according to your occasion. Reservations are required, so please contact the restaurant by 3:00 p.m. the day before for a one-day meal.
| Address | 14-43-3, Meiko, Tsuruga, Fukui 914-0834, Japan |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-23-7818 |
| Business hours | Lunch time 11:00-14:00 (L.O.13:00) Dinner time 17:30-21:00 (L.O.19:30) Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site | Tsuruga Sazanami Resort Chobei |
Takahama Town｜Muraimiya Inn with a view of the sea
Full Course Live Crab at Muramiya, an inn with a view of the sea
Citation meta. Live Crab Full Course - murimiya inn with a view of the sea
Muramiya is located right in front of Wakasa Wada Beach, which has been selected as one of the best 100 sunsets in Japan and one of the best 100 bathing beaches in Japan. Fresh seafood and vegetables from Fukui Prefecture can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons. During the winter season (November through March), guests can enjoy a full course meal of live crabs, and on days when supplies are available, Echizen crabs can also be enjoyed. A meal-only plan is also available. The fresh Wakasa fugu lunch course is also popular.
| Address | 121-10 Wada, Takahama-cho, Fukui 919-2201 |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-72-0639 |
| Business hours | 11:30-15:00 18:00-21:00 *Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site | Muramiya Inn with a view of the sea |
Obama City｜Ikesu kappou (cooking) Masashi
Ikesu Kappo Masashi offers a full course meal of Echizen crab, including sashimi and grilled crab. Seasonal dishes unique to Wakasa and Obama, such as Isaza and Wakasa Guji, are also offered. The spacious restaurant has a counter overlooking the kettle and Japanese-style rooms with a view of the garden, allowing you to enjoy your meal at your leisure.
| Address | 107 Katori, Obama City, Fukui 917-0058 |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-53-1678 |
| Business hours | Weekdays 11:30-15:00/17:30-22:00 (L.O. 21:00) Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 11:30-22:00 (L.O. 21:00) |
| Closed | Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a national holiday) Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site | Ikebushi Kappou Masashi |
Mihama Town｜Aji-Ichikyu
This restaurant offers Japanese cuisine using seasonal ingredients from spring, summer, fall, and winter. To enjoy Echizen crab, we recommend the course meal using live Echizen crab, available only from November to March. The restaurant also offers a charcoal-grilled eel dish, fresh sashimi set meal, Wakasa guji set meal, and lunch-only Kaisen donburi and Tempura donburi, which are also popular.
| Address | 80-3, Kusako, Mihama-cho, Mikata-gun, Fukui 919-1123, Japan |
|---|---|
| Telephone number | 0770-32-0152 |
| Business hours | Lunch 11:00-14:00 Evening (reservation required) 17:00-19:00 (L.O.19:00) |
| Closed | No regular holidays Please confirm details in advance. |
| Reference site | Aji-Ichikyu |
Take your time to enjoy fresh Echizen crab at a delicious restaurant!
Echizen crab refers to fine male snow crabs landed at fishing ports in Fukui Prefecture. The yellow tag is a proof of the brand, and only local people can enjoy eating freshly caught Echizen crabs. At the restaurants and lodging facilities introduced here, you can enjoy Echizen crabs in course meals from fall to winter. If you are interested in eating fresh Echizen crabs, please visit them.
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 known as the "Saba Kaido," or mackerel road, and has a history of various cultural comings and goings. 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 October 2024. Information is subject to change without notice.