Kawagoe is a good place to visit and enjoy food. Here is the best street food, restaurants and cafes to try Kawagoe’s specialities!
What’s Famous Food in Kawagoe?
Kawagoe had developed as a town around Kawagoe Castle, and it had a very strong connection with Edo (Tokyo, where the government was at the time).
There are signature foods such as,
- Satsuma imo = sweet potato
- Unagi = eel
- Soba noodle
- Soy sauce
- Dango
I introduce foods and places that you can enjoy these!
Best Street Food in Kawagoe
Imokoi from Umon
Imokoi is one of famous sweets from Kawagoe. On Imokoi, there are 2 layers, satsuma imo (sweet potato) on the bottom, and red bean paste on Satsuma imo.
Imokoi, Kura Dukuri, Kawagoe
Oimo de Chocolate from Bromagee
Bromagee is run by the company making chocolate since 1981. Oimo de chocolate is a small square cake that is perfect for snack.
We got
- Oimo de chocolate (Sweet Potato x chocolate)
- Chocolate fondant
I personally liked “Oimo de chocolate” more, for its rich taste of sweet potato.
They also sell crunch chocolate, that has many kinds of flavors. It would be nice to buy for a souvenir.
Kawagoe Chocolate Bromagee
Umaki (Unagi in omelet) from Denbe
As I wrote earlier, Unagi (eel) is one of specialities in Kawagoe. However, Eel is not cheap. For those who want to try Eel but not sure if you like it, I’d recommend trying a small piece. Unagi Denbe is a very famous restaurant where you can dine in and eat fine eel, but also they have some street food.
- Eel
- Eel liver
- Umaki
I ordered Umaki which is Dashimaki Tamago (egg omelet with Dashi broth) with eel inside. It comes with graded Daikon radish + soy sauce.
Unagi Denbe
Dango from Iseya
Iseya was found in 1926, it’s a very small shop. They have many kinds of flavors of Dangos!
- Seasonal 4 kinds of Ans : Sakura, Matcha, Sakura, Anko(red bean paste)
- Mitarashi Kinako (soy beans powder)
It’s the best Mitarashi Dango I’ve ever had in my life! Mitarashi is soy sauce based sweet sauce. The sweetness and thickness are perfect! And Mochi itself is soft and chewy.. Just so perfect!!
Actually we went back for more dangos!
- Mitarashi
- Matcha
- Anko
I love every one of Dangos!
Ise-ya, Kawagoe
Yaki (Grilled) Dango from Tanakaya
Tanakaya was found in 1861, is located very close to Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower).
It’s a flat Dango not round Mochi. And it tastes salty (soy sauce) flavor, not sweet. The only sweetness is from Dango itself.
They have a small eat-in space, the atmosphere is very nice there to feel the history of the shop.
Dango Tanaka-ya
Kamedora from Kameya
Kameya is Japanese confectionary shop that was found in 1783.
Kamedora is similar to Dorayaki which is a soft pancake sandwich. Kame means turtle in Japanese. Kamedora shapes like a turtle, Sweet bean paste inside.
They have a lot of kinds of Japanese sweets including seasonal items. I’d love to go back and try others!
Kameya, Kawagoe
Yakitori from Oichan
For savory street food, I’d recommend Yakitori from Oichan. It’s a small shop where you can dine-in, or eat outside (standing).
We ordered:
- Momo (thigh) – sauce
- Momo (thigh) Garlic – sauce
- Negima (chicken + green onion) -sauce
- Bonjiri (chicken butt) – salt
- Buta tan moto (pork tongue) -salt
You can choose Tare (sauce) or shio (salt) for each one.
It’s very tender and juicy! I loved them so much!!
Yakitori Oichan, Kawagoe
Best Restaurant & Cafe in Kawagoe
Kotobuki an
For Soba noodle, I liked Kotobuki an which was found in 1905. It’s very popular, and there is a long line around lunch time. I waited for 20 mins or so for early lunch.
They have Cha-soba noodle, that has good smell of green tea. I ordered the Cha-soba coming with 3 small plates, which are raw egg, Tororo (yam), and Tempura (deep fried). There is the Cha-soba set coming with more plates.
Cha-Soba Kotobuki an : Kura no Machi, Kawagoe
Hill Pine’s Espresso
Hill Pine’s Espresso is located in Taisho Roman Street. As you walk by, you can enjoy the coffee smell.
Their latte was great, that is like what I love in San Diego. You can also order other espresso drinks like flat white.
Before leaving, I bought coffee beans from the shop to enjoy the coffee with great aroma at home.
Hill Pine’s Espresso, Kawagoe
Looking for what to do in Kawagoe?
>> Best Things To Do in Kawagoe
Hope you can enjoy trying street food, going in a restaurant and cafe in the area that is surrounded by a lot of historical buildings in Kawagoe!
