Kanagawa is next to Tokyo, and some cities are known by many people such as Yokohama, Kawasaki, Kamakura and so on. It has ocean, mountain, and good weather for agriculture. There are some signature foods that are inspired by Chinese food from China town in Yokohama, great seafood in Kamakura area and Misaki port, local ramens, brand beef from Hayama (Zushi city), less chemical used vegetable from Kamakura, and etc.
Shumai
In 1954, Kiyouken started selling Shumai Bento (food box) at Yokohama Station. And it became one of signature food in Yokohama.
It is Chinese dumpling made by pork, onion, etc and it’s 3 cm since they thought it is easier for people to eat it in the train.
Shirasu – Enoshima
Shirasu is baby sardine (whitebait), and it is famous in Enoshima area. Usually it’s eaten after boiled. Although in specific time, you can eat raw Shirasu too. There are some interesting Shirasu foods there like Shirasu croquet, Shirasu ice cream, etc.
It is said the good season for Shirasu is April and May.
Enoshima island Guide – Spots for Food & Sightseeing, Route | Shonan Area
Misaki Maguro (Tuna)
There is Misaki port in Kanagawa, and it’s known for Misaki Maguro (Tuna).
It was the port that most number of tuna was caught.
You can find many ways to eat tuna there such as Maguro steak with soy sauce + garlic, Misaki Maguro Ramen, Maguro sauce katsu (Cutlet) bowl, and so on.
There is also an auction for tuna too!
Kamakura Yasai (Vegetable)
Kamakura Yasai (Vegetable) are grown with less agricultural chemicals in Kamakura area. The another feature of Kamakura Yasai is its taste which is richer because of minerals in dirt in Kamakura area.
It was eaten by only local people before, but recently chefs who work at restaurant in Tokyo tend to use it and it became known and popular.
Kamaboko – Odawara
Kamaboko is fishcake that Japanese people often eat with noodle and so on. The history of Kamaboko is still not found accurately, but it is said that Kamaboko was started making in Odawara around 220 years ago. And they brought it to Hakone since it was a good way to bring something made by fish, because they couldn’t bring fishes in fresh.
Ramen
Yokohama Iekei Ramen
The origin of Yokohama Iekei Ramen is Yoshimurake (The Yoshimura), and Tonkotsu based
Kawasaki New Tan Tan Men
This is very spicy Ramen noodle with much garlic from Kawasaki. There are some spicy food in Kawasaki (around Kawasaki station to ocean area) since there is Korean town there.
San ma men
This is also the original ramen from Yokohama, Kanagawa. They put vegetable saute on top of ramen with salt soup or soy sauce soup.
Yokosuka Kaigun (Navy) Curry
There was Kaigun = Japanese Navy Base in Yokosuka (Japanese self defense now), and Yokosuka Navy Curry was eaten when a lot of solders got sick from lack of nutrition.
There are still many curry restaurant that you can try!
Hayama Gyu Beef
It is brand Japanese Black Beef raised in Hayama under environment strictly managed by designed producer.
A bit pricy, but worth it 😉
Kamakura Beer
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There are some local beers, and Kamakura Beer is famous. You can find them around Shonan area and Kamakura area.
I love going to Kamakura/Enoshima area personally, and having Shirasu bowl in summer time. Also i sometimes get craving for Yokohama iekei Ramen which is very heavy so that I wouldn’t recommend if you are limited to calories or salt 🍜
Hope you would enjoy food in Kanagawa 🙂
