Toyama, a city facing the Sea of Japan along the picturesque Toyama Bay, is known for its vibrant seafood culture and fresh sushi. The city’s central areas include the lively shopping and entertainment district of “Sogawa(総曲輪)”, located south of the Toyama Castle ruins, and the area south of Toyama Station.
Toyama is renowned for its exceptional Sushi, offering a spectrum of experiences from deluxe sushi bars to convenient kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) options. Visitors can savor a wide range of fresh, seasonal sushi, benefiting from Toyama’s access to abundant and varied seafood due to its close proximity to fertile fishing grounds. This ensures a delightful experience for both gourmet enthusiasts and those looking for value. Another culinary highlight is Toyama Black Ramen (富山ブラックラーメン), a uniquely intense ramen featuring a dark, soy-based broth. This ramen is known for its salty, robust flavor, often served with thick noodles and slices of pork, offering a bold and memorable dining experience. These dishes are emblematic of Toyama’s rich culinary traditions, making the city a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking to explore the unique flavors of the region.
Specialty Dishes
- Sushi
- Toyama Black Ramen
1. Minozushi-美乃鮨
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Minozushi in Toyama is a highly recommended sushi restaurant, known for its fresh local seafood and reasonable prices despite the high-quality dining experience. The restaurant exudes a sense of luxury, with a modern and clean interior that complements the exquisite dishes. Diners rave about the freshness of the sashimi and sushi, particularly the local specialties like white shrimp, sweet shrimp, and various types of sea bream. The sushi rice is delicately flavored, though some find the portions slightly large. The restaurant, which has a history that includes a move from Tokyo’s Meguro district 37 years ago, has garnered a loyal following, with many patrons noting that reservations are essential to secure a spot. Whether you’re visiting for lunch or dinner, Minozushi offers a memorable sushi experience that showcases the best of Toyama’s seafood.
2. Sushi Ei (Sogawa branch)-寿司栄 総曲輪店
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Sushi Ei (Sogawa branch) in Toyama is a popular destination for sushi lovers, known for its fresh, high-quality sushi at reasonable prices. The restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with a sign-up system starting around 10 a.m., allowing diners to secure their spot for the 11:30 a.m. opening. The sushi is prepared by skilled chefs at a counter-only setup, where the ambiance is lively, with chefs and staff engaging enthusiastically with customers. The menu offers a variety of sushi, with the 2,200 yen lunch set being particularly popular, including seven pieces of sushi and a vegetable roll. Diners often add a few extra pieces, with favorites like marinated tuna, amberjack, and crab. The sushi rice is slightly on the larger side, but the flavors are well-balanced, and the freshness of the ingredients stands out. Sushi Ei focuses purely on the sushi experience, being strictly non-smoking and alcohol-free, allowing diners to fully appreciate the taste and quality of the fish. The atmosphere is welcoming, making it approachable for all types of customers, including solo diners and those new to high-end sushi experiences. Whether you’re a sushi connoisseur or a casual diner, Sushi Ei offers a memorable dining experience that reflects the best of Toyama’s seafood offerings.
3. Sushi Tama(Toyama Station branch)-廻る富山湾 すし玉 富山駅店
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Sushi Tama (Toyama Station branch) is a highly-rated conveyor belt sushi restaurant located conveniently within Toyama Station, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists. Visitors often arrive early, as the restaurant tends to attract long lines, especially on weekends. The sushi here is known for its large, fresh toppings and slightly sticky rice, offering a taste of the Sea of Japan’s finest seafood. Diners particularly enjoy local specialties like nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), white shrimp, and hotaruika (firefly squid), which are often praised for their freshness and flavor. The restaurant offers a variety of set menus, including an 11-piece assortment and a selection of local fish, which provide a great introduction to Toyama’s culinary offerings. Although the prices are slightly higher than average for conveyor belt sushi, the quality and freshness of the ingredients make it a worthwhile experience. The atmosphere is lively, with customers ordering via touchscreen panels, ensuring that the sushi is made to order and not sitting on the conveyor belt for too long. For those looking to enjoy a quick, high-quality sushi meal before catching a train, Sushi Tama is a fantastic choice, offering a satisfying taste of Toyama’s seafood.
4. Kaiten Toyama Sushi-廻転とやま鮨 富山駅前店
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Kaiten Toyama Sushi, located near Toyama Station, is a highly popular sushi spot known for its fresh, high-quality seafood and excellent customer service. Despite arriving 30 minutes before opening, visitors often find a line of eager diners already waiting. The restaurant offers a range of local Toyama specialties, such as nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), white shrimp, and firefly squid, all praised for their exceptional freshness. Diners appreciate the perfectly balanced rice and toppings, which make for a delightful sushi experience. While the prices are slightly higher than average for conveyor belt sushi, the quality justifies the cost. The restaurant employs a touch panel ordering system, ensuring that each sushi piece is freshly prepared. Patrons often start with a glass of rare local sake, enhancing their meal. The friendly and efficient staff contribute to the restaurant’s welcoming atmosphere. With its convenient location and reputation for delicious sushi, Kaiten Toyama Sushi remains a favorite among both locals and tourists, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting Toyama.
5. Gutsri Ebisuko — ガッツリ！えびすこ
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Gutsri Ebisuko, located near Toyama Station, offers a unique fusion of Toyama Black Ramen and Jiro-style Ramen, drawing both locals and visitors with its bold flavors. The ramen is known for its intensely salty soy sauce broth, which some find overwhelming, while others appreciate the robust, peppery kick it provides. The thick noodles and generous portions of chashu (braised pork) complement the heavy soup, making for a hearty meal. The restaurant’s popular “Gutsri Black” offers an intense combination of garlic, vegetables, and fat, catering to those with a strong appetite. While the flavors can be polarizing, with some diners finding the saltiness excessive, others return for the addictive and powerful taste, especially after a night of drinking. Despite the mixed reviews, Gutsri Ebisuko remains a noteworthy spot for those seeking an adventurous ramen experience in Toyama.
6. Nishicho Taiki(Nishicho head branch)-西町大喜 西町本店
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Nishicho Taiki is renowned as the birthplace of Toyama Black Ramen, a uniquely intense dish characterized by its jet-black, salty soy-based broth. The restaurant, with a retro atmosphere reminiscent of an old-fashioned diner, is a popular lunch spot, often with a line of eager customers. Many diners recommend pairing the intensely flavored ramen with rice and a raw egg to temper the saltiness and create a more balanced meal. The ramen features thick, chewy noodles, generous portions of tender, flavorful char siu (braised pork), and an abundance of salty menma (bamboo shoots), all topped with a sprinkling of green onions and black pepper. The broth is notorious for its saltiness, often requiring diners to adjust by mixing in a raw egg or using it as an accompaniment to rice. While some find the flavor overwhelming, others appreciate its boldness and the nostalgic experience it offers. Despite its divisive taste, Nishicho Taiki remains a must-visit for those wanting to try the original Toyama Black Ramen and experience a piece of culinary history.
7. Aoyagi Shokudou-アオヤギ食堂
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Aoyagi Shokudou is a popular curry house in Toyama, known for its flavorful and creatively presented dishes that have garnered a loyal following. Despite the frequent long lines, many customers agree that the wait is worth it, thanks to the restaurant’s unique take on curries, particularly their signature “aigake” curry, which typically combines their classic keema curry with a seasonal special, like a richly spiced green curry or a coconut-infused fish curry. The curries are well-balanced, with spices that are flavorful but not overwhelming, and the variety of side dishes, such as pickled vegetables and lentil soup, adds depth to the meal. Customers also appreciate the option to mix and match the different curry components on their plate, enhancing the overall dining experience. The cozy atmosphere and friendly service make Aoyagi Shokudou a must-visit for curry enthusiasts in the area.